Phuket town is a traditional meeting place of Thai and Malay worlds. Add to this a long association with European seafaring nations such as Portugal, Holland, France and Great Britain, plus an established tradition of ethnic Chinese settlement, mainly from Fujian Province, and the result is a heady cultural mix perhaps best exemplified by Phuket's Sino-Portuguese architecture.

During the latter part of the 19th century, a Sino-Thai businessman called Kor-Sim-Bi Na Ranong was appointed Governor of Phuket. Together with other affluent Chinese settlers he supervised the construction of richly decorated hybrid mansions, combining arched windows and doors with Doric, Ionic and Corinthian supporting columns.

Start at the Central Post Office. Walk west along Thalang Road, noting the Standard Chartered Bank building, turn south along Yaowarat Road to Fountain Circle. Head west once more along Ranong Road, noting the Thai Airways building, a fine example of Sino-Portuguese architecture.

While intricate European neo-classical and Renaissance-style stucco designs grace the façades of the shophouses, the furnishings and atmosphere within are more Straits Chinese than European.

At the west end of Ranong Road turn north along Patiphat Road, then east along historic Krabi Road to return to Thalang Road. If you have the energy, turn left at the end of Thalang Road and head north along Suthat Road. On the right, just after the junction with Luang Paw Road and Deebuk Road, is the Sala Phuket or Government Office, an interesting example of colonial architecture.