Explore Hat Yai
The shopping-and-eating capital of the deep south — Kim Yong market, Khlong Hae floating market, the park cable car, and fried chicken with dim sum
Good year-round (lots of indoor spots and markets) ·
2–4 days
฿800–4,500+
Hat Yai — all in one place
Hat Yai is the commercial heart of Songkhla province and the trade, food, and travel hub of the lower south. It sits close to the Malaysian border, so Malaysian and Singaporean visitors cross over to shop and eat in big numbers — which keeps the city buzzing day and night. The pu
Start with stays →Signature food
Hat Yai fried chicken — Fried chicken with crisp skin scattered with f
Must-see highlight
Kim Yong and Santisuk markets — Markets in central Hat Yai selling imported sn
Nature & views
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall — A multi-tier waterfall in the Khao Kaeo ra
Easy, all-in-one
Stays, sights, food and itineraries — all on one page
Standout things to do
The best of Hat Yai — don't miss these on a first trip
Read what interests you
Pick a tab for stays, sights, food, itineraries and prep
Top 10 Hat Yai Hotels
A ranked roundup plus per-hotel reviews, with prices compared across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
Where to stay in Hat Yai?
Compare the top neighborhoods and pick by your travel style before you book
Rankings by style & location
Beyond the Top 10 — rankings by budget, location and stay style in Hat Yai
Hat Yai stays picked from real reviews — honest about the good and the bad, with price ranges and booking links
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7.1Things to do in Hat Yai
Highlights and sights around Hat Yai — nature, city and culture
Kim Yong and Santisuk markets
Markets in central Hat Yai selling imported snacks and goods — sweets, chocolate, nuts, dried squid, and souvenirs. You can browse all day; it's one of the city's defining sights.
Khlong Hae Floating Market
An old floating market where vendors paddle boats selling southern Thai food along the canal. Open Friday–Sunday, it's a nice spot to graze and eat by the water.
Hat Yai Municipal Park and cable car
A hilltop park in the city where you ride the cable car up to pay respects at Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, the Brahma shrine, and a large Guanyin statue, with views over Hat Yai in every direction.
Greenway–ASEAN night market
The night market around Lee Gardens and Greenway brings together street food, snacks, and shopping, open late — it's the city's after-dark eating and drinking quarter.
Hat Yai fried chicken and dim sum
Hat Yai fried chicken with its crisp skin and crispy fried shallots, paired with morning dim sum, is the signature local eat everyone has to try. You can find it all over town from morning to late night.
A base for Songkhla and the lower south
Hat Yai is a handy stopover and launch point for old-town Songkhla, Samila Beach, Ton Nga Chang waterfall, and crossing into Malaysia — easy by train, coach, or plane.
ASEAN Night Bazaar + Greenway Hat Yai night markets that run late
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Things to Do in Hat Yai Worth Doing at Least Once
Read article →Khlong Hae Floating Market Southern Food Sold Boat to Bank
Read article →Hat Yai Municipal Park & Cable Car Up Khao Kho Hong for Shrines and City Views
Read article →Hat Yai Shopping Malls, Markets & Souvenirs by District
Read article →Hat Yai Shrine Trail A Local's Blessing Route
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Street Art + 3D Painting Museum A Daytime Photo Walk in Hat Yai
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Ton Nga Chang Waterfall A 7-Tier Falls Near Hat Yai
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Kim Yong & Santisuk Markets Souvenir Shopping in Central Hat Yai
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Samila Beach & the Golden Mermaid A Half-Day Trip from Hat Yai
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Songkhla Old Town A Half-Day Trip from Hat Yai
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Wat Hat Yai Nai A 35-Metre Reclining Buddha Near Town
Read article →Where to eat in Hat Yai
Hat Yai's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
Hat Yai fried chicken
Fried chicken with crisp skin scattered with fried shallots, eaten with sticky rice or steamed rice and dipping sauce. It's the city's number-one famous dish, with several well-known shops.
Morning dim sum
Dim sum shops open at the crack of dawn — har gow, shumai, steamed buns, and Chinese tea. It's a southern-Chinese breakfast culture that's part of Hat Yai.
Chicken rice and red pork rice
Hat Yai chicken rice with fragrant oiled rice and tender chicken, plus red pork and crispy pork rice, are popular lunches at the city's old shops.
Bold southern Thai food
Gaeng tai pla, gaeng leuang, khua kling, and khao yam are everywhere in town — punchy, spicy and salty, eaten with hot steamed rice and fresh raw vegetables on the side.
Chinese food and banquet tables
With the city's Chinese roots, Hat Yai has plenty of Chinese restaurants, dim sum, and banquet spreads — roast duck, crispy pork, and southern-Chinese-style seafood dishes.
Street food and night markets
The Greenway, Lee Gardens, and ASEAN night-market areas gather snacks, grills, fried bites, and sweets to graze on after dark.
Cafes and coffee
The city has plenty of fresh-coffee cafes and new brunch spots, both downtown and near the university — good for working or taking a break from shopping.
Hat Yai souvenirs
Dried squid, grilled squid, mooncake-style pastries, cashews, and imported goods from Kim Yong market are souvenirs almost everyone takes home.
Hat Yai Cafes 12 Great Spots for Coffee, Brunch, Photos & Work
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Hat Yai Chicken Rice & Red Pork Rice 10 Old-School Lunch Spots Locals Go To
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Chinese Food in Hat Yai 10 Old-School Restaurants Locals Actually Go To
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Hat Yai Desserts Grass Jelly, Shaved Ice & Fresh Coconut
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Hat Yai Dim Sum 10 Early-Morning Spots
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Hat Yai Fried Chicken 10 Spots Locals Actually Eat At
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Breakfast Like a Hat Yai Local Dim Sum, Chicken Rice, Congee & Kopi
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Hat Yai Night Market Street Food Greenway · Lee Gardens · ASEAN
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Hat Yai Seafood 10 Top Spots Locals Actually Go To
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Hat Yai Southern Thai Food 10 Restaurants Locals Actually Eat At
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Hat Yai Edible Souvenirs What to Buy, Where, How Much
Read article →Hat Yai itineraries
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Hat Yai in 1 Day Cable Car, Markets & Fried Chicken
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Hat Yai Itinerary 2 Days 1 Night — Eat, Shop, Explore
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Hat Yai 3 Days 2 Nights Hat Yai City + Old Songkhla + Ton Nga Chang
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Hat Yai With Kids An Easy 2-Day, 1-Night Family Trip
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Visiting Hat Yai for the First Time
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Hat Yai Food Crawl Dim Sum, Chicken Rice, Fried Chicken & Night Markets
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Hat Yai for Cross-Border Shoppers A Shop-and-Eat Route from Sadao/Padang Besar
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Hat Yai Temple & Shrine Itinerary Guan Yin, City Park, Chinese Shrines, Reclining Buddha
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Hat Yai Nature Plan Ton Nga Chang Waterfall + Khao Kho Hong
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Hat Yai After Dark Greenway, Lee Gardens & the Bar Streets
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Hat Yai Shopping Plan Kim Yong–Santi Sukh–Malls–ASEAN Night Bazaar
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Hat Yai–Songkhla Plan Chino-Portuguese Old Town · Samila Beach · Nang Ngam Street
Read article →Continue to nearby provinces
Planning your Hat Yai trip
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Hat Yai
Best time
Good year-round (lots of indoor spots and markets) · December–February has the best weather, while November–December is the rainy stretch for the Gulf side of the south
Best time to go
Driest months, clear skies, easiest days out
Short showers between sun, fewer visitors
The wettest months of the year — some years bring flooding, so check conditions before you travel
Daily budget
* Rough estimate per person/day — stay, food and activities
Prep guides
Where is Hat Yai
Get your bearings before planning routes
Stays 9
9 places we reviewed
Things to do in Hat Yai
Day tours, cooking classes, attraction tickets and outdoor activities — book ahead for better prices
Don't-miss spots in Hat Yai
Kim Yong and Santisuk markets
Markets in central Hat Yai selling imported snacks and goods — s
Khlong Hae Floating Market
An old floating market where vendors paddle boats selling southe
Hat Yai Municipal Park and cable car
A hilltop park in the city where you ride the cable car up to pa
Greenway–ASEAN night market
The night market around Lee Gardens and Greenway brings together
Hat Yai fried chicken and dim sum
Hat Yai fried chicken with its crisp skin and crispy fried shall
A base for Songkhla and the lower south
Hat Yai is a handy stopover and launch point for old-town Songkh
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Compare Hat Yai stays yourself across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
If you like Hat Yai, try a nearby province
🧜Songkhla
A two-sea province with a colorful old town, Samila Beach and its mermaid, the Nang Ngam street quarter, and the border trade city of Hat Yai
Explore Songkhla →
🌾Phatthalung
A lakeside town on Songkhla Lake — Khao Ok Thalu mountain, red lotus blooms at Thale Noi, rice fields with water buffalo, and the home of shadow puppetry and Manora dance
Explore Phatthalung →
🏝️Satun
A southern border town on the Andaman, a UNESCO Global Geopark, the Tarutao–Koh Lipe islands, and a quiet Muslim way of life
Explore Satun →
🕌Pattani
An old southern port town with a Malay soul — historic mosques, a Sino-Portuguese old quarter, and bold local food
Explore Pattani →Frequently asked — Hat Yai
How many days do you need in Hat Yai?
Usually 2–4 days covers the main highlights; with more time, continue to nearby provinces.
When is the best time to visit Hat Yai?
Good year-round (lots of indoor spots and markets) · December–February has the best weather, while November–December is the rainy stretch for the Gulf side of the south
How much does a day in Hat Yai cost?
Roughly per person/day — budget ฿800–1,500 · mid ฿1,800–3,500 · comfort ฿4,500+ (stay, food and activities).
Where should I stay in Hat Yai?
We have a dedicated neighborhood guide — pick the area that fits your style, then see real stays there.
How do I get to Hat Yai?
By intercity bus/van or private car; some provinces also have an airport or train — see the Prep tab for details.
About — Hat Yai
Hat Yai is the commercial heart of Songkhla province and the trade, food, and travel hub of the lower south. It sits close to the Malaysian border, so Malaysian and Singaporean visitors cross over to shop and eat in big numbers — which keeps the city buzzing day and night.
The pull of Hat Yai is its markets — Kim Yong and Santisuk sell imported snacks and goods, Khlong Hae is a floating market where vendors paddle boats selling southern Thai food, and Greenway–ASEAN is the night-market scene. For temple visits and views there's Hat Yai Municipal Park, where you ride a cable car up to pay respects at the giant Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, the Brahma shrine, and a large Guanyin statue on the hill. Food is the real star here — Hat Yai fried chicken, morning dim sum, chicken rice, and a comfortable blend of Chinese and southern cooking. Come to Hat Yai to eat, shop, and use it as a base for exploring Songkhla and the lower south.
Best time: Good year-round (lots of indoor spots and markets) · December–February has the best weather, while November–December is the rainy stretch for the Gulf side of the south