There's more to Phuket than amazing beaches. This trip shows off another side of the island, its colourful culture. You'll visit Wat Chalong temple, taste local treats and visit Thalong Road. Panya, a local expert guide, says “you'll see all sides of life in Phuket on this tour. Learn about our biggest farming industries, including pearls, cashews and rice, and spend time with a local family for some Thai home-cooking.”
Kick off the tour by visiting the famous Big Buddha – the giant statue clad in white Burmese marble. You'll get panoramic views stretching across Phuket town and out to the jungle and coast. Continue on to Wat Chalong, the island's most revered Buddhist temple, and gaze at its golden statues. Then, it's on to see how some of the country's favourite delicacies, cashew nuts, are produced. You'll go to a factory and see how the locally grown nuts are plucked from yellow cashew apples, before being roasted and peeled for eating. Then find out about one of Phuket's most important industries at a pearl farm.
Next, stroll along the famous Thalong Road and see its blend of Chinese and Portuguese architecture and Chinese influence, pausing at Chinpracha Mansion – a 120-year-old house. After a tasty Thai lunch, you'll round things off with a visit to a pineapple farm and then see a rubber-tapping and rice-milling demo, plus a quick lesson on which spices and herbs are best for whipping up the perfect Thai curry.
