Unique by its rich historical value, Old Phuket Town is one of the most visited attractions when holidaying in Thailand. Unlike Thailand’s provincial capitals, the town has an inherent charm, which exemplifies the country’s intriguing history. In this part of the country, travellers are able to see a plethora of historical monuments, coupled with a number of religious sites including shrines and temples. In addition, visitors are able to catch a glimpse of the beautifully preserved shop-houses, deemed to be one of the popular attractions in the area. Stroll along the small printing shops, the public museums and quaint cafes while Old Phuket Town captivates you with its alluring heritage.
Tracing back to its history, the establishment of Old Phuket Town was due to the country’s thriving tin industry, which occurred in the last century. Emerging as a result of the successful venture, Old Phuket Town was built on this tin-rich land, where many of Phuket’s tin barons resided.
According to a number of historians, the majority of the town is heavily influenced by the Hokkien Chinese. Recognized as one of the principal players in building this part of the city, the Hokkien Chinese played a vital role in tin mining in the island. Their influence can vividly be seen when glancing at the grandiose Sino-Portuguese houses, which can still be seen today. These shop-houses were usually built in rows, which invariably gave rise to the term Tiam Choo, which means row of shop-houses in Hokkien Chinese. Reflecting the influence of foreign culture on the island, few of the architecture seen carry a semblance of European styling, which includes designs inspired by the Portuguese and British.
Perhaps one of the highlights when visiting Old Phuket Town, these Sino- Portuguese Houses is a feast for the eyes, transporting visitors back to the alluring charm of a century ago. These beautiful architectural buildings can be seen mainly along the roads of Thalang, Krabi and Dibuk.
These shop-houses were used as private homes as well as for business ventures, including banks. The front of the building was often used for trading purposes where as the remainder of the building, including the upper floor was reserved as a private home. The floor plans of all the shop-houses are quite similar. A common feature is the spacious living room, which is five metres wide and 50 metres long. The house is divided into four parts, where an arcade stands on the front of each house, providing shade to the public. Among the Sino-Portuguese houses to visit, few of the popular sites are the Dibuk Grill and Bar on Dibuk Road, the House of the Beautiful Images on Soi Romani Road and the China Inn Cafe and Restaurant on Thalang Road.
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