🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
What makes Songkhla great for photography is the variety packed into a small area. In the morning you're shooting the mermaid by the water, mid-morning you're weaving through alley murals, by afternoon you're up on a hilltop, and the next day you're in Hat Yai taking the cable car for aerial shots. Each time of day suits a different spot, so we've spread this out over three days — no rushing required. Short on time? Days 1 and 2 alone cover the highlights.
Must-Shoot Spots
Before the day-by-day plan, here are the 8 spots that visitors to Songkhla–Hat Yai come back home with most often. Ranked by visual impact and the light window that works best.
Golden Mermaid, Samila Beach
A gilded mermaid perched on rocks with Koh Nu and Koh Maew islands floating in the background — the image everyone associates with Songkhla. Best light is early morning (soft, water clearer, fewer people) or late afternoon when the golden figure pops against the sky. Avoid midday: harsh backlight and crowds.
Street Art, Songkhla Old Town
Over 15 murals scattered along Nakhon Nok, Nakhon Nai, and Nang Ngam roads, painted from 2016 onwards. They depict everyday Old Town life — a man cycling, kids playing, friends over coffee — all set against Sino-Portuguese facades. Shoot any time of day, but early morning means less heat and fewer bystanders in your frame.
Hat Yai Cable Car
Thailand's first aerial gondola crossing Khao Kor Hong inside Hat Yai Municipal Park. The city view through the gondola glass is the main shot, and the top station adds the large Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Maharaj Buddha and an open viewpoint as your backdrop. Pick a gondola on the city-facing side for unobstructed shots.
Khao Tang Kuan
A hill right in the middle of Songkhla that gives you an almost 360° sweep: the city below, the Gulf of Thailand, and Songkhla Lake. The white Phra That Chedi Luang stupa at the top makes a strong focal point. Go up by electric tram or walk the naga-staircase with viewpoints along the way. Late afternoon for sunset light over the lake.
Old City Gate Replica & Samila Garden
About 200 m from the Mermaid, there's a replica city gate and a neatly landscaped garden set up for relaxed shooting. Pair it with the pine trees and open sky for a laid-back, breezy look. Easy to hit in the same loop as the Mermaid.
Cat & Rat Sculptures, Samila Beach
A pair of sculptures telling the local legend behind Koh Nu (Rat Island) and Koh Maew (Cat Island). Set in a shaded garden by the beach — great for a playful shot with kids. Frame both sculptures with the two actual islands visible behind them for a photo that tells the full story.
Sino-Portuguese Shophouses, Nang Ngam–Nakhon Nai Roads
The whole neighbourhood is your set: pastel facades, louvred shutters, old shop signs, and renovated cafés. Wander and shoot as you make your way between street art spots — the architecture holds up on its own even without a human subject.
Khao Kor Hong Summit Viewpoint (Top Cable Car Station)
The upper terminus opens onto a wide platform with a full panoramic view of Hat Yai city. There's a large Buddha statue and designated photo spots. Aim for late afternoon into dusk when the city lights start coming on — that warm, city-glow window is the one to catch.
Opening Hours to Check Before You Go
The Hat Yai cable car is closed every Monday — plan your Hat Yai day accordingly or you'll miss it entirely. Opening hours and prices for both the cable car and the Khao Tang Kuan tram are revised periodically, so call ahead to Hat Yai Municipal Park or Songkhla Municipality before your trip to avoid a wasted journey.
Book the activities in your Songkhla trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 1 — Morning Mermaid + Old Town Street Art + Khao Tang Kuan at Sunset
Cover the Songkhla side in a single day
Day 2 — Hat Yai Cable Car + City Views at Dusk
Cross over to Hat Yai
Day 3 — Catch What You Missed + Souvenirs
Half-day before heading home
Camera Settings & Gear Tips
- Wide-angle lens — captures the Mermaid with Koh Nu and Koh Maew behind her, and fits the full Songkhla and Hat Yai city panoramas in a single frame.
- Lens cloth — essential for shooting through the cable car windows. Press the lens against the glass and wipe first to cut reflections and glare.
- Sunscreen and a hat — the southern Thai sun is intense, especially on the beach and open viewpoints. Protect yourself during long shoots.
- Circular polariser (CPL) — deepens the colour of the Gulf and sky at Samila Beach, and cuts surface glare off the water.
- Power bank — a full day across multiple spots drains your phone fast. Keep a backup charge on you so you're not cutting the session short.
Photography Etiquette
Khao Tang Kuan is home to the Phra That Chedi Luang, a historic religious monument. Dress modestly and do not climb on structures for a better angle. At the Golden Mermaid, there is a tradition of rubbing the statue for good fortune — if you want a shot there, wait your turn and do not climb onto the sculpture. Many of the Old Town street murals are painted directly on the walls of people's homes — shoot freely but don't disturb the residents.
Looking for a hotel within walking distance of the Old Town and Samila Beach?
See Top 10 Hotels in Songkhla →