Natural scenery includes the splendid forested hill of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, an area where you can glimpse the last of Phuket 's virgin jungle. In addition there are numerous beauty spots, notable among them being Laem Phromthep, the island's southernmost point and a favorite place for watching Phuket 's famed sunsets.

Natural Attractions

Khao Rang

A great view of Phuket Town, the southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained by going to the top of Khao Rang Hill, on the town's northwest border.

There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse of grass s at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit, the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.

Bangpae Waterfall

Best knownas the site of the Gibbon Fund, a project to return domesticated gibbons to the forest, Bang Pae is a small waterfall with a shady forest and thick foliage.

How to get there: Ggo to the Two Heroines Monument and take the road running east, the Pakhlok Road. Bangpae is 7 km along this road. Look for the posted signs.

Khao Phra Taeo Wildlife Park

22.28 square kilometers of virgin forest are coverd by this park, which also actively conserves a number of wild animals; they would otherwise be extinct in fast-growing Phuket . It is a center for study of the environment and the forest vegetation is spectacular. Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick with creepers and climbers of every description.

One species of palm, the Governor's Palm or White Back Palm (palm lang khao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs, barking deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, and many species of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Taeo serves also as one of Phuket 's most important water sources.

Sirinat National Park

Located near Phuket International Airport, the national park covers an area of 90 square kilometers. The park stretches all the way to the island's northern tip. There are a number of interesting places to visit :

• Nai Yang Beach
  
• Nai Ton Beach
  
• Mai Khao Beach
  
• Sai Kaew Beach
  
• Mangrove Forest

Ton Sai Waterfall

A small falls, over which pours a great volume of water during the rainy season. The trees, watercourses, and pools nearby provide one of Phuket 's loveliest scenes.

The park headquarters and a small restaurant with an excellent view are also at Ton Sai.

Located near Thalang Town, 22 km. from Phuket Town.

Mangrove Forest

Situated in Sirinat National Park, near Ta Chatchai on Phuket 's northern tip, the mangroves--saltwater swamps with unique eco-systems much prized by scientists searching for clues about adaptation and evolution--cover about 800 rai.

Anyone with an interest in horticulture will be interested in the many unusual perennial plants found here: mountain ebony (kong kang bai lek), red cycas (prong daeng), black myrsina (samae dam), the Lady's Nails quisqualis (leb mue nang), and various creepers and climbers are among the more significant. There are also many mongrove-dwelling animals with unique evolutionary characteristics. A nature trail has been cleared for the convenience of visitors with signs indicating and explaining the various species.