Getting there
There are several ways to get there including flight, bus, private van, car (self-drive) or train. My friends and I opted for 2 hours self-drive from Penang Island to Bukit Kayu Hitam. We parked our car inside the parking lot in The ZON Duty Free Shopping Complex which costed RM16/day. It took about 5 minutes walk from The ZON to the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS complex. (Tips: There are van drivers at The ZON will offer to drive in Hat Yai for 500 baht so please do the maths before you take the offer). Upon exiting the immigration, there is a van service in front of the 7-11 which costed 57 baht/person (Tips: Do not eat inside the van). You can choose either Hat Yai bus station or Lee Gardens Plaza as your drop off point.
Accommodation
There are a lot of hotels, guest houses and backpacker inns around Hat Yai. Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com or hostelworld are open for searching. We booked Laem Thong Hotel from Agoda for RM285.80 for 2 nights stay with 3 double beds which located 5 minutes walk from Lee Gardens Plaza.
Transportation/ Getting around
You can easily get around in the centre of the city but some places are quite far to be accessed solely on foot so getting on tuk tuk is recommended. Bargain skill is required as some of the drivers tend to increase the market price so do your studies on the distances to avoid being overcharge. (Tips: Use Google maps/ Waze/ Apple maps to estimate the distances)
Day 1 - Tuk Tuk Day Tour
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| Credit photo taken from friend's blog. |
AMA Dimsum is a self-service dim sum restaurant which provides internal and external dining space. The concept is easy: Get in > Find a seat > Get table number > Select dim sum > Bring the dim sum to steam area and mention your table number > Steamed dim sum will be served on your table. Location: 30/3 Klongrien 1 Rd. Opening hours: 0600-1300 and 1700-2100
Hatyai Municipal Park is located 6km from center of city. There are a large ponds, food stalls and a bunch of pavilions at the foot of the park. Four Face Buddha, Cable Car, Golden Buddha Temple and Guan Yin Temple are located up the hill which can be accessed on foot, bike or tuk tuk. (Tips: Tuk Tuk is recommended as walking up the hill requires physical strength and strong foot muscle). Do not forget to spot Hat Yai aerial city view when you drop by Golden Buddha Temple Location: Kanchanawanchi Rd. Opening hours: Daily 0800-1900 Admission: Free
Phranon Laem Pho Temple is located in Koyo where the back image of the Golden Reclining Buddha can be seen upon passing Tinsulanonda bridge. Apart from the reclining Buddha, there are temple and prayer halls as well as the lake with bridge view.
Samila Beach located east of Songkhla and considered one of the favorite spot for tourists. One is said never visit Songkhla without dropping by to take a picture with the Songkhla inconic symbol- Mermaid Statue. The statue has become a shrine which the locals believe it brings good luck to them. Cat and rat island can be seen across the Samila beach. According to the legend, a dog, a cat and a mouse traveled on a Chinese sampan whereby they stole the merchant's magic crystal and tried to swim ashore. However, it was unsuccessful and drowed. The mouse and cat became the islands in the Songkhla Lake while the dog died on the shore and became the hill. A sculpture of the mouse and cat can be found at Samila Beach.
Klonghae Floating Market is located about 15-20 minutes of tuk tuk ride from Hat Yai town. It is a modernized floating market concept where the boat vendors selling foods in sampans that are moored to wooden walkway. Other than that, there is a large roofed section on land which consists of stalls selling clothes, souvenirs and food with seating areas in front for crowds to enjoy the foods. Opening hours: Fri-Sun 1500-2100 Admission: Free
Breakfast with a combination of braised pork trotter, chicken rice, seafood wantan mee and mixed fishball kueh tiaw t'ng.
Kim Yong Market is a local market located at the center city of Hat Yai which offers a wide range of clothes, fresh and dried fruits, snacks (eg. cashew nuts, pistachio, almonds), fresh flowers, electrical appliances, shoes and etc. Getting there by foot is recommended. Opening hours: Daily 0600-1800
Lee Gardens Plaza is a well known landmark in Hat Yai where it could be the most strategic place for meet up. It is a building that consists of hotel, restaurants, shopping malls and McDonalds. Do try out their signature pork burger.
Asean Night Bazaar consists of 2 sections. 1st section on the lower ground selling clothes, phone covers, bags and accessories whereas 2nd section on the 2nd floor selling foods. (Tips: Get there by tuk tuk cost about 20-30 baht/ person per trip from Lee Gardens Plaza)
Day 3
Sky Buffet on the 33rd floor of Lee Gardens Plaza offers a great city aerial view while enjoying the lunch buffet. Personally, I think the food choices are limited but with 169 baht/ person deal is something that caught people attention to try it out. Opening hours: Daily 1100-1400
