Hat Yai Sights, POI and Things to Do

Though Hat Yai is not a prime sightseeing destination, the city definitely has enough attractions and things to do to keep you busy for a couple of days. You can spend the whole day exploring Hat Yai Municipal Park without getting bored, or opt for a full day in the jungle with trekking at Namtok Ton Nga Chang NP, just outside Hat Yai.

Hat Yai Municipal Park

Located 8 km away from Hat Yai city centre this is a perfect place to spend a full afternoon. It is a recreational park with a lot of things to do, set at the feet of a hill, with beautiful ponds, swans, flowers and quite a relaxing atmosphere all over the place. It might be quite challenging to walk around and see everything because the park is fairly big, but if you have time it’s really pleasant. There’s no admission fee for the park but there’s for individual attractions. Among the others we would recommend:

Hat Yai Science and Astronomy Center – is a scientific learning centre focusing on astronomy. There’s also a cinema with documentaries running all day long. Admission fee is THB20. Open every day from 9am till 8pm.

Hat Yai Ice Dome – has ice sculpture made by famous Chinese artists on display. Admission fee is THB300 (THB150 for children). Open every day from 9am till 9pm.

Hat Yai Cable Car – is the first cable car in Thailand, it’s a worth trying alternative to walking around the park with nice views all over the city during the ride. Ticket is THB200. Open every day from 9am till 8pm.

Best way to get to the park is by taxi or tuk-tuk (THB400 round trip).

Namtok Ton Nga Chang

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southern Thailand, Namtok Ton Nga Chang is located 25 km away from Hat Yai in the namesake National Park. You can climb up its 7 different levels, with level 3 being the most scenic, to our opinion. It is where the stream falls in two parts creating a kind of elephant’s tusks shape (you need a bit of imagination to see it clearly, but this is where the waterfall got his name from).

More challenging treks in the park are also available if that’s what you’re looking for. The tickets are THB200 and the park is open every day from 8am till 5pm. To get there take a taxi. Expect to pay no more than THB1000 round trip.

Khlong Hae Floating Market

If your travel itinerary includes only destinations around Southern Thailand, then this is your only chance to see a floating market. Every week from Friday to Sunday (3pm – 9pm), roughly 50 vendors will try to get your attention from small boats on the canals. Big variety of Thai food can be found here, and for the most adventurous there’s an option to try several different kinds of grilled or fried insects. A taxi from the city centre to the floating market will cost you THB500 for a round trip.

Magic Eye 3D Museum

This is a really funny place to spend a couple of hours; we guarantee that your kids will love it – well, you will, too. The museum has over a hundred of painting with a variety of 3D realistic pictures that will trick your eyes. The quality of the works is quite impressive and the funniest part of it all is that you can be a part of the composition. Just sit or pose in the designated places and have someone take pictures of you from the right angle and distance – and voila! – send back home absolutely unreal, humorous, scary and hilarious shots.

Open every day from 9am till 9pm, tickets are THB300 (THB200 for kids). Located 5 km from the city centre. A taxi or tuk-tuk will cost you about THB200.

Greenway night flea market

Close to the Magic Eye 3d Museum, this market is a good way to fill your day with a bit of shopping and some food. Here you will find everything you can imagine and at shockingly low prices: t-shirts, shoes, clothes, cosmetics, handicrafts, souvenirs and much more. Open every day from 7pm till 10pm.