Guide to Hat Yai: 24 Incredible things to do you never knew existed – places to visit, eat, shop and everything!

Versi Bahasa Indonesia: https://thailand.tripcanvas.co/zh/hat-yai/things-to-do-attractions/

When you think of city life in Thailand, immediately your mind jumps to Bangkok. But what if we told you, we’ve found a place that offers all the perks of city-life, and then some.

If you’re late to jump on the bandwagon, never fear when we are near. We’re here to give you the low down on Southern Thailand – the colourful and bustling city that makes up Hat Yai.

A city that is popularly termed as  ‘mini Bangkok’, this town offers all the pros of city life, PLUS the natural beauty and all that surrounds it – beauty that so many flock to the South to experience.

So in between hidden alleyways and some exploration just beyond the outskirts, we’ve put together a list of all the things you never knew you could do in Hat Yai!

Read more:

10 Most Instagram-worthy cafes and restaurants in Hat Yai with good food and great views

3D2N Hat Yai weekday itinerary with stays, dining and activities

3D2N Hat Yai weekend itinerary with stays, dining and activities

1. Dreaming with your head among the sea of clouds (literally) – Khuan Chedi

Ever wondered what heaven must look like? Well, we’ve found the closest thing to that , and it is breathtaking.

Found high up in the hills at 900 metres above sea-level, this new favourite chill spot highlights just why our world is so magnificent.

Start your day early (we’re talking 4am), as you make your way up the mountain – just as day starts to break and that morning light glistens among clouds that look like cotton-candy. D r e a m y.

Situated in a forest, the land is still super fertile so expect gorgeous wildlife and natural vegetation in abundance.

There’s a tiny refreshment stall to buy drinks from, so if you’re looking to experience something awe-inspiring – or simply want to spend a day picnic-ing with mates with a gorgeous backdrop, you’re going to lose your mind here.

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2. Calling all bird watchers – Thale Noi Waterbird Park

Remember, Thailand is blessed in abundance with its natural beauty and with natural beauty, comes wildlife.

Welcome to the largest waterbird reserve in Thailand, home to more than 180 species of waterfowls!

Can you just imagine the site? So much life flying around you?

I would really recommend hiring a longboat and be taken through the wetlands. The ride is about two hours and absolutely worth it.

Beautiful lotus flowers surround you in abundance as you float through pink waterlily pads.

There’s a lot of diversity to the lake, which makes it a really intriguing journey. Watch water buffalo laze around in muddy waters, locals weave grass-mats and fisherman perch upon their stilted platforms.

*BIRD WATCHERS: Most bird action happens from November to March and many rare species such as the Bronze-winged Jacana and the Cotton Pygmy goose can be spotted here.

Dine with a view in Hat Yai

3. When was the last time you enjoyed a meal on water? – Sea Bass

Feeling a bit like a fish out of water amongst the hustle and bustle of city life? Searching for a bit of natural ambiance? Not to fear when Songkhla Lake is near, which just happens to be the next location of our trendy spots!

You may consider yourself quite the photographer, but sometimes the location of a place really does make an impact – when was the last time you enjoyed a meal on water?

Innovatively set up, here your food is served off land and on ship, with a live band playing some sweet tunes in the background.

Watch the sun set over the water whilst indulging in some local seafood.

Sip on cocktails under the natural moonlight, whilst fairy lights adorn the ship’s surroundings.

And it’s the perfect spot for misleading your Instagram followers (mom, dad, exes). Did I just really jump onto a cruise-liner? Where am I jet-setting off to now?

4. Awaken the senses, rejuvenate the soul – ALIVE

I don’t know about you, but after watching Tarzan (like, a billion times) as a kid, I so wanted to be Jane, and live and play among the trees with monkeys too! Swinging from tree to tree, weeee!

Well, here’s your moment to relive that childhood dream. Set among the treetops, like, literally, this two story restaurant is more like a tree house.

Climb up onto big bean bag-like-cushions on tented nets, or hop onto a swing made from palettes, all set up between the trees. All I’m thinking is…EPIC jungle photos!

Of course there are TONS of greens, flora and succulents decorating the restaurant and it’s designed to give a very ‘naturalistic’ feel.

Naturally, it’s super ambient and come night time, it’s all lit up and adorned in twinkling fairy lights – because we all know fairies live in trees.

Explore like a local & dine like one too

Let’s get real here, the whole experience of travelling is immersing yourself in the local culture – from the food to the people. Well, here are the top 3 must-try local food in Hat Yai even the locals love!

5. Crab, I mean, grab it while it’s fresh – Bankampu Crab Seafood Hatyai

Claiming fame on the social media networks for its ‘Flower Crabs’, many flock to Bankampu for it’s array of fresh, delicious seafood.

Its tidy, fast-service and not badly priced for the amount of seafood on your plate. This is Thailand so expect a bit of spice in your life. Try their Kengsom Soup for extra fire.

Oh, and we’ve heard their lobsters – fresh out the shells – are pretty damn scrumptious too!

6. Thai boat noodles that’s been around for over 30 years! – Chen Loong

This breakfast spot is the perfect way to start off a long day of shopping, and is very well known for their Thai boat noodles, or Kuaitiao Ruea.

Kuaitiao Ruea is a Thai-style noodle soup with an intense flavour – usually served with both beef and pork, dark soy, pickled bean curd and some spicing.

There are four different types of noodles to choose from, with 4 different veggies; The Original Noodles, Boat Noodles, Dried Noodles and Tom-Yam Noodles (but be careful because this sh*t is spicyyyy).

PS: They’ve been around for 30 years, which speaks volumes about how good this place is!

7. Chicken rice in the shape of a chicken?! – Betong Chicken Rice

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good chicken rice? (Especially Thai chicken rice… T.T)

Of course we all know (arguably), that if you’re looking for the real-deal, Singapore/Malaysia is where it’s at – but here in good ol’ Hat Yai… We’ve found the next best chicken rice for you.

Soft juicy chicken (the Betong chicken to be exact), sits by a bed of aromatic chicken-shaped rice (brown rice available too!). This chicken rice isn’t too oily – which I prefer – but traditionally, some may beg to differ.

Apart from succulent juicy chicken, you’ll also be able to order crispy 3-layer pork and roast pork. All in all, you’re set for a really yummy meal.

Definitely jump in early for this one, otherwise expect to be waiting in a queue for about 30mins. You can also call them beforehand to pre-order your box!

8. One for the animal lovers – Wine Village

Come and make friends with sheep and feed the baby goats – packets of food are available as well as bottles of milk to feed the little lambs. I mean…

Their bird enclosure is really special as you are actually able to interact with the birds! Let them perch freely on your shoulder and play with you in their own birdy-way.

The setting is quite fairytale-like, which makes this place extra magical.

Think Cinderella’s carriage, a fairy-lit carousel and a medieval castle. Can you sense the magic in the air?

9. You’ll find me in the mountains – Chestnut Hill (Eco Lodge Resort and Restaurant)

City life is great and all, but sometimes what we really need is to reconnect with nature and find our inner zen again.

Hidden away from the hustle and bustle, this completely eco-friendly resort is a little gem we stumbled upon! Think organic everything.

It’s built above a mountain stream which ensures a sense of harmony and balance between all the natural elements, and you can feel it in the air.

This is all about immersing yourself in nature; there’s a one hour trek to a 10 metre waterfall, natural rock pools surround the area and forest walks are a given.

It’s the perfect place to take out your paintbrushes or write for hours in your travel journal.

If you don’t want to stay overnight, it’s also a beautiful stop for a day trip and there’s a restaurant on-site. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll find yourself in heaven.

What do you mean there’s no markets here?!

Just kidding! If you know anything about Thailand, it’s that there’s always a market on the go. Here’s what we discovered…

10. SNACKSSSSSS for days – Kim Yong Market

Hustling and bustling out of the city centre, this market is bursting with just THINGS AND EVERYTHING.

Fresh produce in abundance, you have to take a wander outside. The best time to buy anything fresh is in the morning, and by afternoon, the stalls rotate and vendors come and go.

Internationals flock here to get their fix of international snacks, with lots of imports from Malaysia and Singapore.

Go nuts for nuts, (plus all the dried fruit in the world) and if you’re a cashew lover, you’re gonna love their prices! Their piping hot, freshly roasted chestnuts are also everyone’s favourite to try!

11. One for the weekenders – Khlong Hae Floating Market

I.love.markets. It’s true and I can’t deny it. So when I heard about a floating market, I was hooked immediately.

The canal here is lined in bright bursts of colours, as vendors sit in their boats selling all sorts of local delights and surprises.

It’s of course got the usual market things like your clothes, jewellery and souvenirs, but what makes this so special is the tropical, local food.

And it’s all environmentally friendly too! Everything is packaged in bamboo tubes, coconut shells, clay pots and banana leaves (instead of using plastic bags and foam boxes, now that’s amazing).

Large boats take passengers out on the canal for around 20 Baht a person and for now, it’s the closest thing you’ll get to Rome.

What about the night markets?!

It’s a well-known fact that the street food, along with everything us under the sun, is best found at night markets… And these ones are just too trendy-cool.

12. Baby, I want it all! – Asean Night Bazaar

Perfume? They got it. Sushi, I want it! Clothes, like everywhere, fruits flying through the air! It’s similar to Chatuchak – in Bangkok – where each stall is set up individually, each with their own space, walls and roof.

My favourite part about the market is the food. If you’re after a low-budget meal, that still comes with the experience, you’ll find endless stalls of good, local food.

Think typical Thai food market which means street food in all its glory! You have to try the Kanom Buang, or Thai Crepes. It’s one of my favourite things to eat in Thailand, and the meringue is so deliciously soft and goo-ey, ooooh, YUM! The perfect sweet treat on-the-go.

Their denim is also worth mentioning, and you’ll find all the latest ripped, trimmed and tasselled styles here.

13. Looking for super creative vibes? –  Greenway Night Market

Hip, trendy, creative. That pretty much sums up this night market in three words.

Set up in an open space, it’s divided into 26 zones, with fairy lights deluxe, live music playing and the-cool-kids everywhere.

There’s no need to carry cash around here, it all operates via a credited card system; pay your money, the value is uploaded onto your card which you can use at any stall, and voila, happy, care-free shopping!

What makes Greenway my go-to market, is the foodie experience. The food station is two-stories, yip, that’s right, two! It’s got an industrial set-up feel to it, making the area cool and clean.

There’s also a balcony area and seated areas on the second level so you can really relax and enjoy your food, taste everything, each bite!

14. Do you believe in legends? – Hua Nai Raeng Boulder @ Khao Kao Seng

According to legend, there once lived a King who took his own life upon the sands of Khao Kao Seng. Just before his last breath, it is said that he buried all his treasure under a boulder in the sand.

It’s still believed that the treasure lies below, so if you’re up for the hunt (a 90,000 Baht one that is), head over to the iconic Hua Nai Raeng Boulder.

Khao Kao Seng beach is littered with them, and naturally Hua Nai Raeng is the largest of them all.

These ginormous rocks are not that common in Thailand, and it really is a beautiful picture.

The locals believe it is a place of goodluck and you’ll find colourful decorations adorning this place of the past.

Let’s go chasing waterfalls

If you’re a fan of waterfalls and love taking a bath in a natural pools, or letting the pressure of falling water massage away the tensions in your shoulders… Hat Yai has its fair share of lovely waterfalls.

15. It’s the stairway to heaven – Ton Nga Chang

Let’s be real, who on earth does not love a waterfall? Now, make that a seven tiered fall and you’re talking dreamy.

But there’s something extra special here. Designed by Mother Nature, it caters for all strokes and folks. And this one is majestic!

Each level of the fall offers something different. We all love lazing in natural pools, that’s why we search for waterfalls, right? Level 4 is where most people reach, until they decide to chill out for the day and soak up the sunlight.

BUT if you’re more of the adventurous type and hiking is your middle name – or if you’re just simply up for a challenge – try make it to level 7! Although we did warn you, it’s quite the climb.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South, it not only is a visionary treat, but a sensory explosion too.

16. One of Hat Yai’s best kept secret? – Ton Plio Waterfall

Oh Mother Nature you are truly magnificent!

For outdoor lovers, you’ll understand the feeling I’m talking about, when you find something so beautiful and still so untouched by us silly humans. And we’ve found a waterfall that fills you with just that.

This one only has five levels and there are epic climbing rope ladders to help you climb up along the rocks.

It’s located in a nature park that hasn’t had much development, so the land around it is still very untouched. Now, because of this, the nature itself around the area is still very fertile, so the waterfall continues powerfully all year round. Amazing or what?

This one is not really known to the general public and is one of the locals’ best kept secrets, so it’s the perfect place to find some inner peace. You’re so very welcome.

17. Let your inner child run wild – Hat Yai’s Magic Eye 3D Museum

Looking to try something different? Fun? Artistic?

(Have we caught your attention yet? Well, if not, this definitely will!)

Step inside a surreal world and get ready to transform your world upside down, literally! Welcome to the world of 3D art!

Artistically done, they use trompe l’oiel paint techniques – which literally means to trick the eye – creating 3D drawings and camouflaged trimmings that actually become interactive works of art.

How it works: You become the centre point of the artwork, so make sure to bring that camera along! You’re going to get some really spectacular selfies here!

Ever dreamt of hopping onto Aladdin’s magic carpet? Or what about catching Van Gogh’s petals as they fall from his famous Sunflowers?

Whether you’re looking to recreate your favourite childhood memory, or you’re simply a lover of the Arts like myself, this Museum has something for everyone.

18. View from the top – Hat Yai cable car over Hat Yai Municipal Park

Exceptional views are something I’m always on the hunt for and what better way to get a view, then one from above!

First of its kind in Thailand, take a ride on Hat Yai’s 535 metre long Cable car, which provides some seriously beautiful scenery along the way.

Operating out of the Municipal Park, views stretch over Khao Kho Hong Mountain as well as the 25 metre tall statue of Standing Buddha.

And whilst you’re there already there, why not make a day out of it? The park itself is a perfect picnic spot, sit in silence amongst the Tamarind trees or get cultural and visit the Buddhist temples.

And the best part is that park admission is free!-

19. Hurry, the sun is setting on the white sand beach with the mermaid! –  Samila Beach

When you’re wanting to spend some fun in the sun, head to Samila Beach and enjoy the pristine white sands and stretch of ocean blue.

Not only is it filled with natural beauty, but there’s a bit of mystic and magic that lies along the shores here.

According to legend, a mermaid once caught the heart of a fisherman, who still waits for her return. You can try find her too, just follow her golden glow.

And if you’re up for a treasure hunt, the statue of the King of Nagas spraying water is divided into 3 parts around area! Look out for his head, navel and tail.

20. Beauty just beyond the border – Ko Yo Island

One of the things I love most about this city is if you travel just outside, you’ll find all sorts of natural escapes and here’s our next favourite.

Connected across the Songkhla lake, just 30 minutes from Hat Yai, is the little fishing island of Ko Yo.

(The island is connected by the Tinsulanond Bridge, the largest concrete bridge in Thailand!)

The island is famous for their hand-woven fabrics and textiles, so look out for the road-site market (the island is tiny so you literally can’t miss it) – and fall into a cotton-bargaining heaven.

Seafood fanatic? Indulge in fresh, local seafood all enjoyed just above the water’s surface. Talk about an incredible lunch view!

If history is your thing, you have to check out the Folklore Museum exhibiting traditional arts and pottery. Think 4,000 year old beadwork and 1000 year old ceramics!

It’s a beautiful getaway that’s literally, across the bridge.

21. Life is better with music – 11/7 – Live Music Bar

“We jammin’, I wanna jam it with you. We jammin’, And I hope you like jammin’ too”.

As the sun sets, there’s nothing better than unwinding to some groovy tunes and soaking up the chilled vibrations, man.

We all know that one of the best parts of travelling, is meeting new and like-minded people, and this is the spot. It draws in a foreign crowd who come to enjoy its easy-breezy feeling and it’s the kind of the bar you’re expecting to find in Thailand.

Every night there’ a band playing all sorts of melodies from reggae to funky jazz. It’s a cultural mix of local and international treats.

Music is the soul of 11/7, after all it’s how it all began. Earning enough money by playing music for people, they built up the entire place with their own hands – creating a space for people to come together and celebrate.

22. Preserve our bees, I repeat, preserve our bees! – Big Bee Garden

Not only is this an awesome experience, if environmental awareness is your thing, but it’s an educational outing too.

Step inside their little garden and learn about the lifestyle of our precious bees.

It’s designed to be a virtual classroom which makes it even more exciting. Learn about the process of honey-making (from the hive to honeycomb), watch bees in their natural habitat and walk through the different hives.

The garden is filled with cute statues and figurines and there are pops of colour everywhere!

Before you leave, make sure to take a wander around their amazing store which offers all kinds of honey-made products. I’m talking face creams to drinking honey.

Lastly, some food for thought: The extinction of bees means the destruction of our eco-system worldwide. In essence, if all our bees die, humankind will not survive.

23. This one is for the romantics – Tang Kuan Hill

“Romeo, Romeo, where for out thou Romeo”. We’ve found a place for all our lovers.

If you’re wanting to exercise those legs (romantic stroll not guaranteed) climb 145 steps until you reach the top of Tang Kuan Hill, offering simply gorgeous views of Songkhla below.

If you’re in a more of a mellow mood, take a lazy ride up the elevator and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding islands.

Once you reach the top, seal you and your partners’ love eternally, by locking it into Hat Yai’s very own Love Lock Bridge (based on the famous Love Lock Bridge in Paris).

There are many stunning viewpoints along the way and it’s the perfect way to see the city’s attractions.

PS: make sure you bring your own lock along, it seems no one is yet to jump on that business bandwagon just yet.

24. Relax and detox in natural hotsprings – Khao Chaison Hot Springs

Don’t you just love the feeling of weightlessness when floating in water? The whole body starts to calm down and relax immediately.

Treat your body to a relaxation station in Hat Yai’s own natural hot springs, located in the foothills of Khai Chaison Mountain.

The recommended time in such high temperatures (here the water reaches between 40-60 degrees Celsius) is 10-15 minutes.

Some of the benefits of hot springs include boosting blood circulation, reduces stress and relaxes the body, promotes good sleep and relieves muscular pains. 15 minutes for that? Yes, please!

They also offer traditional Thai massages (starting at 150 baht) if you’re wanting to decompress some more.

PS: There are tons of monkeys around which make for really cute friends, but remember, please, do not feed them!

What do you think? Inspired to head to Hat Yai for an unexpectedly amazing holiday yet? We sure are!

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