Things to Do in Hat Yai

Quite apt to its name the market actually floats atop small boats on water. The Floating Market is located in Khlong Hae a bit away from hat yai city. It’s a nice place to rub shoulders with the locals and test your bargaining skills. A place where you get all sorts of fruits vegetables, flowers and even some of the weirdest non vegetarian foods like earthworms. You can try them if you have the stomach for it. Instead of plastic bags and cups the vendors use organic products like bamboo boxes and clay pots which adds a nice flavour to the place.

Magic Eye 3D Museum exhibits beautiful 3D wall and floor painting in various themes. Magic Eye uses the art technique called Trompe-l’oeil. Visitors get to explore various themed galleries with their eyes, hands and cameras. At Magic Eye Museum, the tourists can both see and learn about art, culture and magic show, unforgettable memories with their family, friends and loved ones. Click funny pictures like tearing apart the painting of Mona Lisa or being stuck in road puddle- Magic 3D eye Museum is for people who love taking photographs that leave people stunned but in a quirky way!

With interactive paintings in various themes, the 3D pictures look appealing and different from the various angles. With perfect co-ordination of light and cameras, you are up for a fun-ride and unique set of pictures to carry back home!

The biggest Mall in Hatyai with free parking, is one of the most favourite places of hangouts and shopping. Spanned across a whopping 250,000 sqmt the mall has 250 retail shops. With clothing, food, accessories, jewellery, games, the mall has everything you could need. It also has IMAX and 4DX screens which give quality entertainment to visitors. The mall glisters at night with its awesome lighting.

Located right at the heart of the city, The Lee Garden Plaza Hotel is an upscale hotel. It offers a wholesome experience of stay, food, shopping as well as nightlife. The guestrooms are lavish, the banquet halls are a whopping 2000sqmt huge, and the hotel is also equipped with rooftop swimming pools and gym. A beautiful spa with professional masseurs provide the most relaxing massage therapies ever. There are 5 different types of rooms and suites. Be it a corporate meeting, or a wedding or just a fun stay, the hotel satisfies everything. 

The most famous attraction in Hat Yai and probably well known in Thailand, Muncipal Park is recognized by its tall standing Buddha statue which greets visitors at the entrance. An icon which can be spotted from miles away it’s the tallest in Thailand with a height of 20 metres and weighs about 200 tons. Its other highlight include a laughing Buddha statue which can be reached from inside the jaws of a dragon.

Along with the laughing Buddha there is a monument of King Rama V. There’s also a cable car which connects visitors to the Kor Hing Mountains where the four faced Buddha shrine is located. The panorama of the Hat Yai city under the azure skies in beautiful watch. In front of the shrine there’s a small planetarium which is equipped with a couple of telescopes as well has as 80 seat theatre where Nat geo documentaries about planets are shown. There are also snacks and refreshment centre around the park.

The Hat Yai Ice dome is a small but brilliant attempt to recreate the Ice festival that happens in Harbin, China. The Ice Dome Hat Yai is built on the area of 800 square metres full with interesting sculptures by sculptors from china. All the ice sculpture are marvellously lit and stored in a room where the temperature is -15 degree Celsius. The chillingly exciting dome is surely worth a visit for its wonderful spectacles and interesting exhibitions. The attraction is closed currently for some renovations but is expected to resume operations soon.

People from all over Thailand come here to pay respects to Buddha statue kept in here. The statue is 35 metres long and 15 metre and looks majestic and serene as Buddha is reclining with a tranquil smile on his face. Said to be the largest in southern Thailand and third largest in the whole country this temple with no walls, only pillars and a ceiling attracts a lot of locals and tourists.

One of the most popular flea markets in town the Asean trade Centre operates very much at evening. Known for its cheap prices the place is famous for its extensive collection of clothing. There’s also a food section with sweets and other snack, insects included. The whole street is lined up on either side with stalls and friendly vendors.

Located on the outskirts of the city a one of a kind temple built entirely out of stainless steel the Maha Chedi is also called as Stainless Steel Stupa. Upon entering the temple you would notice the unusual spiral staircase which are laid out like biscuits on top if each other. The place is adorned with many murals of Buddha and other saints and characters from their mythology. The temple is also known for its stark lighting which can be enjoyed in the evening has an air calmness and serenity to it. A good place to sit and meditate.

Located about 26 kms away from the city in Ton Nga Chang wildlife sanctuary the waterfalls is absolutely stunning. There are 7 levels to the waterfalls and each of them can be climbed with little or no need of equipment at all. The third level is quite exciting where the stream splits into two resembling an Elephant’s tusk and hence the name. After the third level the climb becomes more adventurous. A nice place to go trekking with friends.

Just a walking distance from Hatyai town centre, this is a small market with stalls around the main road. You can get variety of electronic goods such as CDs/DVDs, watches or electronic stuff to apparels, cosmetics, clothing, leather products and load of souvenirs. Local dried products and snacks are also available here too. Santisuk market is in the heart of the city and is a colourful flea market. It also has a variety of dry fruits, nuts and a whole lot of street foods cooked and served on the spot by vendors.

Hat Yai Cable Car is a recent addition to the Hat Yai Municipal Park and has its base station located at the picturesque look-out point of the rather amazing Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj (Standing Buddha). The cable car ride lasts for around 10 minutes and offers breath-taking view of the city. It stops at Thao Maha Phrom (the great Brahman Shrine) where the Four-Faced Brahma is set. During weekend or on a public holidays, there are lots of people especially locals therefore you may have to wait a while to get on. When you alight at the hill top after your cable car ride, you will be at another place of worship which is the Elephant Temple or Brahman Shrine. Here, you will notice a very beautiful large statue of a three headed elephant. A must-do activity while visiting the municipal park!

The observatory is located just near to Hatyai Muncipal Park. An interesting place equipped with a lot of intriguing photos and illustrations about the planets and stars and our universe in whole. It also has a couple of telescopes where the instructors point to certain starts and constellations after sun down. There are screens which shows interesting videos about the science behind the universe and its happenings. A must visit for children as well as elders, the place will sure kindle curiosity in anyone.