Take a break from the beach for a culturally rich experience cycling through old Phuket town. Located on trading routes between India and China, Phuket became a melting pot of peoples, cultures and religions. The 19th-century tin boom attracted an influx of Chinese labourers and their influences are still evident in the architecture, food, and places of worship we see today. On bikes, we travel back in time to unlock the secrets of Phuket Old Town and also explore the town’s peripheral.
Take a break from the beach for a culturally rich experience cycling through old Phuket town. Located on trading routes between India and China, Phuket became a melting pot of peoples, cultures and religions. The 19th-century tin boom attracted an influx of Chinese labourers and their influences are still evident in the architecture, food, and places of worship we see today. On bikes, we travel back in time to unlock the secrets of Phuket Old Town and also explore the town’s peripheral.
We start our ride from Laem Thap and cycle on a very quiet coastal road to our first stop, a visit to Koh Sirey, home to the largest community of Chao-Le or sea gypsies. Watching them fix their nets or cracking open clams, we see how their lives are still dependent on the sea. Look up and notice the mini Golden Rock, a mini replica from the much-revered shrine in Burma. It’s monkey time next as they cavort in the mangroves. See (and smell!) the fresh catch of the day with busy merchants crowding in to bid for the best deals at the fishing port.
As we approach downtown, admire the beautiful Sino-Portuguese mansions and shophouses painted in brilliant hues. Now restored as inns and quaint tea-houses, some once had sordid pasts as brothels, gambling houses and opium dens. In the heart of the historical district, Thai Hua Museum once housed a Chinese-language school and now cleverly tells the tale of Chinese migration to Phuket. We pay respect at the Jui Tui Shrine, an important temple for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival before pedaling on to Saphan Hin, a popular park for locals to exercise, and finish our ride with a scenic sea view. To get a bird’s eye view of where we have ridden we’ll drive up to the top of Khao Khad before dropping you off at your hotel.
We ride a total of 27 km on good roads. There will be short hills to tackle to reach scenic viewpoints. We ride at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops for photos and refreshments to keep you well energized.
Free transfer from hotels located at Chalong, Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata, Karon, Patong, Phuket Town, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao, Layan & Laguna. All other areas additional transport charges apply.