Pa Tong - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Karon Beach in Phuket is one of the longest beaches on the island, spanning 5 km of fine white sand overlooking the Andaman Sea. The northern end of the beach is usually deserted, making it an excellent spot for those who want the beach to themselves. The southern end, close to Kata, tends to be busier but it isn't that hard to find a nice spot for yourself.

Wat Chalong is a historical landmark and Buddhist temple in Phuket's Chalong Bay. For centuries, locals come to pray almost every day while westerners learn about Buddhism during their holiday. It's officially called Wat Chaitararam, but most people refer to it by Wat Chalong. The temple is located on Chao Fa West Road in the northern part of Tambol Chalong.

Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the most important and revered landmarks on the island. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and, at 45 metres tall, can be seen from as far away as Phuket Town and Karon Beach.

Phuket Zoo is a beautiful private zoo with an area of 12 ha inhabited by a big number of exotic animals. It was opened in 1997 and since that time is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Kata Noi Beach is a great place to relax and soak up the sun. At about 700 metres long, it's one of Phuket's smaller beaches. Soft sand, crystal clear water, and the lush green jungle backdrops are the main draws here. The sea is very calm from December to April, while surfers come out to play between May and October. Kata Noi Beach enjoys large swells during this period, so be careful if you see red flags on the sand.

Real life planet of the apes in Phucket, Thailand.