Phuket · Things to do

A 45-metre reinforced-concrete Buddha faced with roughly 135 tonnes of white Burmese jade marble, standing on Nakkerd Hill above Karon. There is no local bus to the top: the road up is Soi Yod Sane 1 off Chaofa West Road (4021), about 5.4 km from Phuket Town. It is an active place of worship, so cover shoulders and knees.

The Sino-Portuguese shophouse quarter built in King Rama V's reign by wealthy Chinese tin-mining families — Thalang, Rasada, Ranong, Phang Nga, Montri and Yaowarat roads, all walkable in a morning. The province runs guided walks of the quarter on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00–14:00, in six sections.

The island's best-known temple, about 7 km from Phuket Town via Chaofa Road, built around the memory of two 19th-century abbots — one of whom was decorated by King Rama V — and holding a Buddha relic given by a Sri Lankan temple. A working temple rather than a museum piece.

Thirty acres of jungle bordering Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, home to 13 elephants retired out of the logging and trekking trades. Observation only — no riding, bathing or feeding. The 90-minute canopy-walkway visit is 1,900 baht; the 3.5-hour half-day programme, which adds a guided walk to find the herd in the forest, is 3,000 baht. Book in advance.

The southernmost tip of the island, about 7 km on from Rawai Beach, and the island's standard sunset stop, looking out over the Andaman and the small island of Koh Kaew Pitsadarn. Free. Drive south from Rawai, turn left at the first three junctions and follow the hill road up; the car park fills well before the sun drops.