Rang Hill, Phuket (Khao Rang)

Another day, another hill..Phuket is quite hilly, with the highest point at more than 500 meters (1650 feet), and many of the hills have roads to the top. We have found most of these over the years and we do like a nice view. In previous blog entries, we have been up Buddha Mountain and Monkey Hill. A few days ago we went up Rang Hill (Khao Rang) which is in Phuket Town and quite popular with locals and tourists. We have been up there many times before, and the iced coffee in the Tunk Ka Cafe is very good (not sure if it's the best in Phuket as they claim, but good nonetheless). There's another restaurant about half way up called Phuket View - some friends of ours ate there last week and said it was good - one to check out one day!

Being close to the center of Phuket Town, and with several access roads and 2 restaurants, it's a popular spot. Lots of local folk head up there for some fresh air and peace and quiet. Quite a few tourists get up Rang Hill also - HINT for tourists - check out some of the other hills too! We met an English couple up there and I suggested they try Monkey Hill and Khao Kad viewpoint (on Cape Panwa). If you like hills and views, plenty to choose from in Phuket. I'll get more on the blog as time permits...

• Rang Hill location on Google Earth

The roads up to Rang Hill are clean and shady, lots of flowers. At the top is plenty of parking space, a grassy "picnic" area, and some seating with views over Phuket Town looking towards the sea and offshore islands beyond Saphan Hin (Phuket Bay) and Chalong. You can see Buddha Mountain from here too. When that big Buddha is built, the view will be even better.. The Tunk Ka Cafe is down some steps made from old railway sleepers. We did not go for a drink this time, but I know from memory that they have a good menu of what they call "local Thai cuisine". We have been up before in the evening, when you get the "city lights" spread out in front of you. Not quite the same as, say, the view from the Eiffel Tower, but well worth a visit.