Phuket Highlights

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 people, cultures and religions. The 19th-century tin boom attracted an influx of Chinese laborers and their influences are still evident in the architecture, food, and places of worship we see today. On bikes, you will travel back in time to unlock the secrets of Phuket Old Town and also explore the town's peripheral.

You will start the ride from Laem Thap and cycle on a very quiet coastal road to the 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, you will see how their lives are still dependent on the sea. Look up and notice the mini Golden Rock, a replica from the much-revered shrine in Myanmar. It's monkey time next; you'll see them 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 you 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. You can pay respects at the Jui Tui Shrine, an important temple for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, before pedalling on to Saphan Hin, a popular park where locals exercise, finally finishing your ride with a scenic sea view. To get a bird's eye view of where you have ridden you'll be driven up to the top of Khao Khad before you are dropped off at your hotel.

You will ride a total of 27 km (16.7 mi) on good roads. There will be short hills to tackle to reach scenic viewpoints. You will ride at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops for photos and refreshments to keep you well energized.