Flights from Shanghai (PVG) to Phuket (HKT)

About Phuket

Discover Phuket

Why visit Phuket?
Phuket is Thailand’s best-known island escape, with a mix of soft-sand beaches, clear waters, and lively coastal towns. You can balance relaxed days by the sea with evenings exploring bustling streets, local eateries, and relaxed beach clubs.

What to expect
You will find distinct areas, from energetic Patong to calmer Kata, Karon, and Bang Tao. Inland, forested hills hide viewpoints and quiet communities, while offshore islands promise day trips for snorkelling, boat tours, and coastal scenery.

Plan your trip
Phuket works well for short beach breaks or longer island-hopping holidays across southern Thailand. With its busy international airport, it is also a convenient starting point for exploring nearby provinces, national parks, and the wider Andaman Sea region.

Top sights in Phuket

Patong Beach

Stroll the wide sandy bay, swim in the calm water, then explore the vibrant shops, bars, and casual eateries just behind the beachfront.

Old Phuket Town

Walk past colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, small galleries, and cafés in a compact historic quarter that shows a different side of the island.

Promthep Cape Viewpoint

Head to this southern headland for sweeping sea views and one of Phuket’s most photographed sunset spots.

Kata and Karon Beaches

Enjoy long, gently curving beaches with a more relaxed feel, ideal for swimming, learning to surf, or unwinding at seaside cafés.

Island-hopping to Phi Phi

Join a boat excursion to the Phi Phi Islands for dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise bays, and snorkelling among colourful marine life.

Big Buddha of Phuket

Drive up the hill to this giant statue for panoramic views over the island, coastal plains, and the Andaman Sea.

Bangla Road nightlife

Experience Phuket’s busiest nightlife street, with music, clubs, and late-opening venues a short walk from Patong Beach.

Rang Hill and Khao Khad viewpoints

Escape the coast for hilltop viewpoints offering quieter surroundings and wide views of Phuket Town and surrounding bays.

Experience Phuket’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Taxis, ride-hailing services, and local songthaews are common ways to move between beaches and town areas. For more flexibility, many visitors hire cars or scooters and follow the coastal roads for scenic views. For short hops, walking along beachfront promenades is often the easiest option.

Local life & culture
Away from the main resort strips, Phuket Town and smaller villages offer a slower pace, with street cafés, small museums, and community markets. You can explore narrow streets lined with historic architecture and see how daily life blends long-standing traditions with a modern, tourism-focused economy.

Where to unwind
Beyond the main beaches, quieter bays and headlands around the island provide space to relax with a book or simply watch the sea. Early mornings are ideal for peaceful walks on the sand, while late afternoons bring softer light for swimming, viewpoints, or a gentle coastal stroll.

A taste of Phuket

Street food & local specialties
Phuket’s food stalls and small eateries serve noodle soups, stir-fries, grilled seafood, and spicy southern-style dishes. Areas around Phuket Town and local markets near the beaches are good places to sample freshly cooked plates in a relaxed, everyday setting.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Beachfront roads in Patong, Kata, and Karon, as well as newer areas like Laguna, offer casual restaurants, cafés, and hotel dining. Menus are varied, from regional Thai dishes to international comfort food, so you can share several plates at the table and try different flavours.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose hillside restaurants and rooftop terraces with sweeping sunset views over the Andaman Sea. Many resorts also feature elegant dining rooms overlooking pools or beachfront lawns, where you can linger over a slow dinner in a calm atmosphere.

Retail therapy in Phuket

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large shopping centres near Phuket Town and Patong bring together international brands, cinemas, family entertainment, and casual dining. These air-conditioned spaces are useful for a break from the heat, picking up essentials, or browsing fashion and lifestyle stores.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller markets and streets in Old Phuket Town, Patong, and Kata feature stalls with clothing, beachwear, accessories, and simple souvenirs. You can look for handmade items, locally inspired designs, and small art pieces as mementos of your trip.

Evening retail scene
In the evenings, night markets and illuminated walking streets come alive with stalls, music, and snacks. It is an easy way to combine browsing, people-watching, and a light meal, with local transport and taxis making these areas straightforward to reach.

Best time to visit Phuket

Cool and dry season (peak season)
From November to February, Phuket enjoys its driest weather, with temperatures around 24–31°C (75–88°F). Skies are often clear, seas are calmer, and conditions suit beach days, snorkelling trips, and island-hopping excursions.

Hot season (shoulder season)
March to early May is hotter and more humid, with temperatures commonly 27–34°C (81–93°F). The sea stays inviting, and longer daylight hours give you time for slow mornings, relaxed afternoons by the pool, and evening walks once it cools slightly.

Rainy season (low season)
From May to October, showers are more frequent, with temperatures around 25–31°C (77–88°F). Rain typically comes in short bursts, leaving time for beach visits between clouds, quieter resorts, and lush, green hillsides that add drama to the island’s scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions