Sight Seeing The Beaches The majority of Phuket's beaches are found on the island's western coast.   All differ from each other in terms of natural scenery and degrees of development/facilities which are available.   However, all the beaches of Phuket have one thing in common - they each possess superb soft sand and warm tropical water. Patong is the largest and busiest of the island's beaches.   Along with Karon and Kata, the three make up the most popular of the white-sand resting places in Phuket.   Large resort hotels, shops and restaurants offer tourists everything they could ever want while vacationing. For those looking for a quieter setting, Phuket provides a less hectic atmosphere under the sun for those willing to take the time and make the effort to get there.   Some worthy spots include Rawai Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Nai Ton Beach, or Kamala Beach. Nai Harn In the shadow of Phrom Thep, Phuket's southern most sunset viewing point, this 800 metre beach was largely underdeveloped until 2001.   The south part of the beach is still totally undeveloped.   There is good surfing here but swimming is not recommended in monsoon season. Surin Beach This is a good place to go and watch the locals enjoying a day at the beach, plus there are some great seafood available at the beachfront restaurants.   Swimmers should take care as there is a sharp drop off only a few  metres out and quite a strong riptide. Bang Tao The Laguna Complex dominates this stretch of Phuket's west coast and there's lots to do here.   The hotel complex offers horse-riding courses and nearby eateries provide good seafood.   Cherng Talay, 10 minutes away by car or motorbike, has a good fresh market. Nai Yang Beach Also a turtle destination between November and February, this deserted beach is a great place to chill out, only 20 minutes from the bustle of Patong.   Casurina trees line the shore and you'll hardly see a soul. Mai Khao Beach 12 km in length, Mai Khao (meaning white wood) is Phuket's longest and least developed beach - it is both breezy and beautiful.   Part of Sirinat National Park, Mai Khao is also the yearly destination of sea turtles that come to lay their eggs.   Things to See Antique Buildings in Phuket Town The beginning of the tin-mining boom during the Nineteenth Century led to construction of beautiful old mansions and shophouses in Phuket, many of which are still well preserved. The typical architectural style is Sino-Portuguese and consequently the old town of Phuket has a strongly Mediterranean character.   Often the shops have a very narrow shop front on the street but actually stretch back a long way.   Many, especially those on Dibuk Road, have old wooden doors and shutters decorated with Chinese fretwork. Chalong Bay Chalong is Phuket's principal boat anchorage and the island's largest bay.   Ao Chalong bay is flat and shallow and at low tide the waters recede as much as 1km.   The bay's restaurants are renowned for their seafood.   Most visitors to the islands south of Phuket depart from Chalong Pier.   Charters to various places can be arranged from there, and it is the centre of the island's yachting activities.   The pier and a number of restaurants are located on the short road leading to the beach from the circle.  Bang Pae Best known as the site of site of the Gibbon Fundation - a project dedicated to help return domesticated gibbons to the wild - Bang Pae also has a small, but lovely waterfall within a natural forest, thick with foliage and wildlife.   To get there, take the road running east from the Two Heroines Monument and travel about 7km to Bang Pae.   Look for the posted sign. Chalong Temple This much-revered temple is about 8km outside of Phuket Town, and has a statue of Luang Por Cham, a monk of the temple, who helped the people of Phuket suppress the Ahngyee, or Chinese Coolie Rebellion of 1876, during the reign of King Rama V.   There are also statues of Luang Poo Chuang, and Luang Por Gluam, respected abbots of the temple during later times.   Both images are now objects of respect and reverence among local Buddhists. Kao Rang Spectacular views of Phuket Town, southern parts of the island, as well as the outlying islands can be enjoyed from the top of Rang Hill.   There are also several restaurants offering breath-taking views while you dine, plus a health park for exercise enthusiasts. You can also see the bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit, a respected former Governor of Phuket during the reign of King Rama V. Khao Pra Taew This stunningly beautiful park covers an area of 2,228 square kilometres of virgin forest, and acts as a reserve for a number of wild.   It is a centre for the study of the environment and boasts spectacular forest vegetation with giant trees supported by huge buttressed roots which are thick with creepers and climbers of every description.   One species which can be found here is the Governor's Palm or White Back Palm (pahm lahng kao in Thai) which is especially rare.   There are also two very beautiful water-falls. Phuket Aquarium Countless species of sea life are on display at the Phuket Aquarium, many of them seen in the tropical waters around Phuket.   Open daily 8.30 am to 4 pm, the aquarium is located at Cape Panwa on the island's extreme southeast.   Admission is just five Baht for children and 20 Baht for adults.   Telephone 076 391126 for more information. Phuket Fantasea Designed to be Thailand's ultimate cultural theme park, Phuket Fantasea stands on 300 rai of land at Kamala Beach, about 9km north of Patong.   Fantasea represents a new dimension is night-time entertainment, utilising cutting-edge technology in a 3,000-seat arena to create fantastic illusions and special effects for the show which focuses on Thai myths and legends.   Hundreds of actors in spectacular costumes perform with animals, including a large troupe of trained elephants.   For information and tickets call (076) 271222. Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium Enjoy an explosion of fantastic colours and hues from both the numerous species of tropical butterflies and other insects and the marine life on display.   Located in Sam Kong, about 3km from Phuket Town.   Opens daily from 9am to 5 pm, telephone 076 215616, 210861. Phuket Sea Shell Museum Some of the world's most valuable seashells are on display here.   The museum is situated near Rawai Beach on the island's southwestern shores.   Though the emphasis is on shells from around Phuket and Thai waters, which are among the most sought-after by collectors, shells from every part of the world are also featured.   Wherever they originate, each shell in the museum is the best of its kind - in some cases, the only on of its kind. Numerous rarities can be seen including the world's largest golden pearl (140 karats), and on enormous shell weighing in at 250 kg. Pra Tong Temple According to local legend, this revered shrine houses a golden Buddha image that sprang up from beneath the earth many years ago.   As the story goes, a young boy tied his buffalo to what he thought was an ordinary post.   Having done so, the boy collapsed in agony and died.   He perished for the sin of tying a filthy buffalo to sacred object, the Buddha's conical cap that emerged from the ground.   Villagers attempted to dig up the statue, to unearth the image, but to no avail.   Finally, the villagers decided to protect their miraculous statue by covering the image with plaster. Pra Nahng Sahng Temple This temple was the site of a famous battle in 1785 and inside it are three extremely old statues of the Buddha wrought in tin.   They are the largest of their kind in the world and date from a time when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal.   Another notable feature of these statues is that the bellies of the three images each contain a smaller statue, known formally as " The Three Kings."   The temple is located on Thep Krasatri Road in Thalang Town.  Prom Thep Cape Prom is the Thai word for the Hindu Brahma signifying purity, while thep means God.   Prom Thep is a dramatic headland stretching into the sea forming the extreme south-end of Phuket.   Approximately 2km from Rawai Beach, the cape was formerly called Laem Jao, "The Gods' Cape" by local villagers.   Powerful currents swirl in the deep emerald green waters and breakers hurl themselves in vain against the rocky point in one of Phuket's most inspiring vista, which is perhaps the best place to enjoy Phuket's stunning sunsets. Simon Cabaret This  popular transvestite cabaret show features dozens of gorgeously-costumed transvestites dancing and lip-synching to popular songs.   The spectacular outfits and immaculate choreography are highly impressive, complemented by a world-class sound system and staging.   Two shows are offered nightly.   The cabaret is located on the Patong-Karon road. Singh Cape The name in English means Lion's Point - in this case, the mythical, stylised lion of Chinese literature, not the African variety.   There have never been any lions found in Thailand.   The beach nestles in a small, curving bay with rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is one of Phuket's most beautiful.   Singh Cape is located about 1km south of the entrance to Surin Beach.   Look for signs indicating the path down to the beach. Sirinat National Park (Nai Yang Beach) Located not far from Phuket's modern airport, Sirinat Park covers an area of 90 square kilometres, and includes the 13km long Nai Yang Beach.   The park stretches all the way to the island's northern-most tip. Thalang National Museum For an inside glimpse into Phuket's long and colourful history, this is the place to come.   Innumerable ancient artifacts are on display, the oldest being gathered from the island's west coast.   In addition there are exciting exhibits detailing the famous battle in which the greatly revered two heroines fended off the invading Burmese armies.   In addition,  traditional daily life in Phuket and examples of Sea Gypsy culture can be witnessed.   Call 076 311025 or 311426 for further details.   The museum is open daily except public holidays and is located just east of the Two Heroines Monument. Thai Village and Orchid Farm Enjoy dazzling displays of traditional Thai dance and handicrafts as well as elephant shows and a demonstration of old-time tin-mining.   This all takes place within a farm featuring some of the world's most renowned orchids.   It is located in Sam Kong about 3km from downtown Phuket.   The morning show starts at 11am, while the evening showing begins at 5.30 pm.