Takua Pa is a charming little old town with a similar upbringing as Phuket's Old Town, but it remains undisturbed and much quieter. It is located inland, close to Khaosok and Surat Thani province in Phang Nga, making it a natural stop for those who are traveling to Phang Nga from that way.
If you are wondering what this charming, little old town, full of history and Sino-Portuguese architecture, has in store for you, you are in the right place. Within this guide, you will find a complete list of cool things to do in Takua Pa and all the information you need to have a great time there.
Without further ado, here are the 8 best things to do in Takua Pa for solo travelers. But first, let's take a look at the map of Takua Pa and all its attractions.
- Takua Pa Things to Do Map
- Where to Stay in Phang Nga?
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8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa
- Admire the Colorful Buildings in Takua Pa's Old Town
- Have Breakfast at Jin Keng Restaurant
- Check Out Khun Intra Building
- Visit All the Old Temples in Takua Pa
- Eat Your Way Through Takua Pa's Sunday Market
- Kayak Through the Little Amazon Mangrove Forest
- Have Coffee at Kopi Kuapa
- Freshen up at Tam Nang Waterfall
- More Phang Nga Activities
- Thailand Travel Video
- Further Reading for Southern Thailand
Takua Pa Things to Do Map
8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa
1. Admire the Colorful Buildings in Takua Pa's Old Town
Takua Pa Old Town is a small pocket of a well-preserved local community with several beautiful and colorful Sino-Portuguese-style houses all lined up, waiting for you to explore. Most of these houses are owned by families that have been living here since Takua Pa was still a thriving economic powerhouse.
The place used to be a thriving mining town and an important tin-dredging area during the first half of the 20th Century. As the resources dwindle, the place turned itself into a small tourist town with a beautiful, well-preserved history, a peaceful vibe, and a culture of Kopitiam which I absolutely adore.
There are also these small, little fun graffiti dotting the rustic walls of these houses that reminded me of the graffiti in places like Penang. Most of these artworks depict the simple lifestyle of the people living here, and it is fun to track down all these cool artworks while you are here.
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- Best Seller - Surin Islands Snorkeling Trip from Khao Lak (9 to 10 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Khao Lak: Bamboo Rafting & Sea Turtle Conservation Center (3 hours)
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary (2 hours)
The area isn't very big, and there aren't a whole lot of shops like in Phuket's Old Town, but that is what makes it a must-visit. What you see here is the way an Old Town in Thailand should be.
Undisturbed and not commercialized in the way places like Phuket's Old Town are, this is what living in places like this truly feels like. Quiet, peaceful, and without a day of worry. If you are genuinely interested in experiencing the true Thai way of living, this is the best place to start your journey in Takua Pa.
Where to Stay in Phang Nga?
2. Have Breakfast at Jin Keng Restaurant
Jin Keng Restaurant is a local breakfast place that I often visit when I am in Takua Pa. It is an old, traditional restaurant that has been serving excellent dim sum and other Thai-Chinese-style breakfast for several decades, and it is popular among locals in the morning.
Their dim sum dishes are great and affordable. Hot coffees start at 10 THB, which is almost unheard of nowadays in Thailand. They also serve congee, fried noodles, and more if you are looking for a more filling dish for breakfast.
I just love the vibe of this place. It gives off that old, traditional Kopitiam cafe culture where old people would come to hang out together and talk every morning.
If you enjoy this type of local vibe, as well as cheap and delicious breakfast, you must check out Jin Keng Restaurant in Takua Pa. The place is open from 5 AM to 11 AM every day.
3. Check Out Khun Intra Building
Khun Intra Building is a great example of the classic Sino-Portuguese architectural style, showcasing just how much influence the Chinese and Portuguese had over this part of the world.
This 2-story house was constructed in 1917 by the Chinese for one of the first lieutenants who resided in Takua Pa during that time. The building and the land surrounding it remain under the family's name even today, hence why it is gated.
One of the most important features of the building used to be the roof tiles that resembled those of a turtle's back. Unfortunately, they had been damaged over time and had to be replaced with new design tiles. The place is also inaccessible right now as they continue to renovate and maintain the condition of the building. Still, you can swing by and admire the beauty from the outside.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Best Seller - Surin Islands Snorkeling Trip from Khao Lak (9 to 10 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Khao Lak: Bamboo Rafting & Sea Turtle Conservation Center (3 hours)
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary (2 hours)
4. Visit All the Old Temples in Takua Pa
There is no shortage of old temples in Takua Pa, and two of the temples I highly recommend you check out are Wat Sena Nucharangsan and Wat Khiri Khet. Both were built in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, and both have some really cool-looking old ordination halls that are not so easy to see these days.
Some of the main features of these old temples that make them so unique are the wooden roofs and an all-painted-white exterior, unlike Buddhist temples nowadays with their glittering facade designs and bright-colored exteriors.
The old ordination hall at Wat Sena Nucharangsan is quite big for its time, and the wooden roof still remains intact, although it is being supported by a newly-installed galvanized roof that helps hold it in place. If you are in Takua Pa, be sure to spend some time visiting these old temples.
5. Eat Your Way Through Takua Pa's Sunday Market
If you are in Takua Pa on a Sunday, you are in luck. The entire Takua Pa Old Town will be turned into a Sunday Market where you can find all kinds of street food stalls, performances from local talents, and people hanging out at tea houses and vibing with the city.
Unlike the night markets and walking streets in other touristy cities like Phuket, this Sunday Market is the real deal. This is as genuine and authentic as it gets, where you get to actually experience a proper market the way the locals do in Thailand.
The market only happens on a Sunday from 4 PM to 8 PM, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. It can get a little hot at 4 - 5 PM as the sun is still way up in the sky, so I recommend you visit the place around 6 PM for dinner. There is no shortage of great food here, so do empty your stomach and enjoy the culinary delights.
6. Kayak Through the Little Amazon Mangrove Forest
The Little Amazon is a network of rivers located in this rich mangrove forest, where you can kayak around the crisscrossing streams and spot all kinds of animals, from monkeys to snakes to birds like kingfishers, along the way.
The ride is about 500 THB per kayak for 2 hours, which is a little too pricey for a solo traveler like me. However, if you are with a group of at least 2, going on a kayak around the mangrove forests in Takua Pa is definitely something you shouldn't miss.
There is also an elevated walkway that leads to a small area by the river where you can walk through the mangrove forest, spotting animals along the way. The walk should take less than 10 minutes, and you do not have to pay to get in.
Keep in mind that this is a popular thing to do in Takua Pa and it attracts a lot of local tourists, especially on weekends, so you might have to be there early before the tour buses arrive. The place opens from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
7. Have Coffee at Kopi Kuapa
Kopi Kuapa is a nice, cozy cafe that serves Kopitiam-style coffee and snacks in this beautifully decorated courtyard-style seating area located between two buildings, creating a perfect shaded area to relax in with a coffee in hand.
The interior is filled with rustic and vintage decor to the brim in an open-air space with great circulation, allowing you to sit and enjoy a nice snack during the day without having to be in an air-conditioned room.
The price of the coffee and snacks is also reasonable, with many options to choose from. Most snacks are traditional Thai snacks that are great for breakfast or for people who have a sweet tooth. I ordered a traditional Thai iced coffee, and it was tasty and strong, just the way I like it.
If you are looking for a nice, cozy café to sit and relax in Takua Pa, be sure to check out Kopi Kuapa. The café opens from 8 AM to 8 PM every day.
8. Freshen up at Tam Nang Waterfall
Tam Nang Waterfall is an epic waterfall located inside Si Phang Nga National Park, a few kilometers north of Takua Pa. It offers a ton of hiking opportunities and waterfall-hopping, perfect for those who are looking to get away from the crowdedness of places like Khao Lak.
There are several waterfalls you can hike to inside Si Phang Nga National Park, most of which will require you to cross a river several times, except Tam Nang Waterfall, which is the largest of them all and the most accessible too.
I tried visiting the other three waterfalls but failed miserably as I lost track of the trail after the third river crossing. However, the sight of Tam Nang Waterfall made up for my failure, and I ended up having a great time taking photos and soaking up the waterfall splash there.
The hike from the national park's parking lot to Tam Nang Waterfall is pretty short and sweet, taking around 10 minutes with very few climbs, so anyone should be able to get there.
Once you arrive at the waterfall, you will be blown away (literally) by the amount of water flowing down the waterfall and the scale of it all. There is a large pool of shallow water in front of the waterfall where you can swim, as well as little pockets of water further down the stream where you can relax your feet.
It is a nice spot to relax, with lots of trees and bodies of water to help cool you down on a hot day. Si Phang Nga National Park opens from 9 AM to 4:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 150 THB per person, with an additional 30 THB for parking.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Southern Thailand
Looking for more information about your trip to Southern Thailand? Here is a collection of articles about Southern Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10-Day Itinerary for Thailand.
- One of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand is Koh Lipe, an island in the far south of Thailand. Here is The Ultimate Snorkeling Guide to Koh Lipe.
- Looking to change things up a little? How about we head down to the south of Thailand and explore one of my favorite places in Thailand? Here is How to Travel to Khao Sok National Park, Backpacking-style.
- The pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket, is an island full of history, cultures, and stunning beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Phuket.
- There are over 30+ beaches in Phuket, and it can get quite overwhelming to find the perfect beach to stay at. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket.
- Visiting Phuket Old Town is the highlight of your Phuket trip. You can easily spend a day exploring the Old Town. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town.
- Phang Nga is probably what Phuket was like before mass tourism ruined it. From quiet empty beaches to wild untouched waterfalls, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Phang Nga.
- If you are in Phang Nga, you should also drop by Takua Pa and its charming little old town. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa.
- Khao Lak is the main tourist hub in Phang Nga, and it is a great place to be if you like adventure, island-hopping, and snorkeling. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak.
- For a complete Krabi backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 to 5 Days Backpacking Krabi Itinerary.
- Whether you are an adventurer or a beach-goer, Krabi has it all. From island-hopping to rock climbing, here are the 13 Best Things to do in Krabi.
- Krabi is not just about beaches and islands. Krabi town offers a great alternative place to stay away from the tourist crowds. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Krabi Town.
- Ko Lanta is a quiet, remote, and less trodden part of Krabi, and it is a great place to visit for those who want to go off the beaten path. If you are planning to go there, here are the 8 Best Things to do in Ko Lanta.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of countless waterfalls that no one knows about. It is an off-the-beaten path place to visit in Southern Thailand that may surprise you. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
- You've heard about Hua Hin, but have you heard about Lemon Bay? There's so much more to the Prachuap Khiri Khan province than Hua Hin. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
- There is more to Chumphon than just Koh Tao. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Chumphon.
- Surat Thani is not just Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. There is so much more to do in this province than you might think. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani.
- Have to spend a night in Surat Thani's Old Town and not sure what to do there? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani's Old Town
- For the best things to do in Koh Samui, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Central Thailand?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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