Hat Yai City Municipal Park

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 05.00–21.00

 

Hat Yai City Municipal Park is one of the most complete public parks and scenic attractions in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province. Located on Kanchanawanit Road along the Hat Yai–Songkhla route, about 6 km from downtown Hat Yai, the park combines green space, a hilltop viewpoint, flower gardens, a waterside pavilion, a pond, a small bird or animal area, restaurants, religious landmarks, an astronomy learning center, and the Hat Yai Cable Car in one large public area. It is suitable for travelers who want nature, city views, exercise, family activities, photography, and spiritual visits without leaving the city.

 

The park sits in Kho Hong Subdistrict and uses the natural landscape of Khao Kho Hong as part of its setting. Unlike a flat city park, Hat Yai City Municipal Park offers both a lower garden zone and an uphill route leading to sacred sites and viewpoints. Visitors can begin with a relaxed walk around the lower garden, enjoy the trees and ornamental plants, rest near the water, or spend time with family before continuing up the hill to see the major religious landmarks and panoramic views over Hat Yai.

 

The lower part of the park is a familiar recreation area for Hat Yai residents and nearby communities. In the morning, people come for walking, jogging, and outdoor exercise. During the day, families visit the garden area, the water zone, and leisure spaces. In the late afternoon, more visitors head uphill to see the city view and sunset from Khao Kho Hong. This range of activities makes the park useful for short visits, half-day itineraries, and repeat visits by local residents.

 

The garden area is decorated with flowers, ornamental plants, lawns, shaded corners, and a waterside pavilion. These features give the park a calm and refreshing atmosphere, especially for visitors who want a break from the busy shopping and market areas in central Hat Yai. Travelers with limited time can spend 30–60 minutes in the lower garden, while those with more time can continue to the hilltop attractions and viewpoints.

 

Near the lower hill area stands the monument of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. This is an important commemorative space in the park and a place of respect for local residents. It adds historical and civic value to the park, showing that Hat Yai City Municipal Park is not only a recreation area but also a public landmark connected with local remembrance and community activities.

 

The road up Khao Kho Hong begins from the southern side near the scout camp area. The uphill route is steep and winding in several sections, so drivers should use caution, drive slowly, and avoid stopping on curves or narrow road sections. Private cars and motorcycles can be used to reach the upper areas, but careful driving is essential, especially during weekends and late afternoon when more visitors travel uphill.

 

The Bodhisattva Guan Yin area is one of the major sacred sites on Khao Kho Hong. It is respected by local residents, Thai travelers, and visitors from neighboring countries. The atmosphere is calm and devotional, making it suitable for prayer, quiet rest, and respectful photography. Visitors should dress politely, speak softly, and behave respectfully because this is an active worship area as well as a tourist stop.

 

Higher on the hill stands Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, a large Buddha statue and one of the strongest symbols of Hat Yai City Municipal Park. The terrace in front of the statue serves as a wide viewpoint over Hat Yai. On clear days, visitors can see the city, buildings, roads, green areas, surrounding hills, and views extending toward Songkhla Lake. This area is one of the best places in Hat Yai for travelers who want both a spiritual visit and a scenic viewpoint.

 

Late afternoon is the best time to visit the viewpoint near Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj. The softer light makes the cityscape more attractive, and the sunset view adds a memorable atmosphere to the visit. Travelers who want good photos should arrive 30–60 minutes before sunset to allow time for prayer, walking around the terrace, and choosing a suitable photo angle without rushing.

 

From the Buddha area, visitors can continue to the Brahma Shrine on Khao Chum Sak, another important sacred site within the municipal park. The shrine area includes a Brahma image and a large Erawan elephant statue. Visitors come to pay respect, make wishes, and enjoy another viewpoint over the city. The presence of the Buddha, Guan Yin, and Brahma within the same park gives the site a distinctive multicultural spiritual character.

 

The Hat Yai Cable Car is one of the park’s signature attractions. It connects the area near Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj with the Brahma Shrine area. The route is about 525 meters long, takes around 2 minutes 30 seconds per trip, and each cabin carries up to 8 passengers. From the cable car, visitors can see Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai city, residential areas, and Songkhla Lake from an elevated angle. It is a convenient option for travelers who want to enjoy the hilltop views without driving between every point.

 

The cable car operates on its own schedule, which is separate from the general opening hours of the public park. Visitors who plan to ride the cable car should check the current service time before traveling, especially during public holidays, maintenance periods, or days with changing weather. This is important because the park may remain open while specific services inside the park follow different operating hours.

 

The Hat Yai Science and Astronomy Learning Center adds an educational dimension to the park. Located on Khao Kho Hong before the upper viewpoint area, the center includes exhibition space, a theater, and an observatory dome. It is suitable for children, students, families, and anyone interested in astronomy. Having a science learning center within the same area as a public park, hill viewpoint, and religious landmarks makes the park more varied than a typical urban green space.

 

The bird garden or small animal area is another reason why the park is suitable for families. Children can experience animals in a casual outdoor environment while adults relax in the surrounding garden. This family-friendly character has long been part of the park’s identity, making it a practical place for parents who want an easy outdoor destination in Hat Yai.

 

Hat Yai City Municipal Park is also a popular exercise area. Local residents use the paths and roads for walking, jogging, cycling, and hill training. The lower garden is suitable for casual exercise, while the uphill route gives a stronger physical challenge. Beginners should start in the lower areas before attempting steeper routes, and runners should remain alert because some roads are shared with vehicles.

 

For photography, the park offers many different scenes in one location: flower gardens, the waterside pavilion, pond views, the Rama V monument, Guan Yin, Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, the Brahma Shrine, the cable car, and the city panorama from Khao Kho Hong. Morning photos feel fresh and quiet, while late-afternoon photos are better for city views and sunset light. Travelers who want portraits can use the lower garden and viewpoint areas, while those who want broad landscape photos should go to the hilltop viewpoint.

 

A short visit can focus on the lower garden, the Rama V monument, and the waterside area. A 3–4 hour visit should include the uphill route to Guan Yin, Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, the Brahma Shrine, and the main viewpoint. A half-day visit can include the pedal boat area, cable car, astronomy learning center, and a meal inside or near the park. This flexibility is one of the main reasons why the park remains a major local destination.

 

Getting There is easy from central Hat Yai. Take Kanchanawanit Road toward the Hat Yai–Songkhla route for about 6 km. Visitors can travel by private car, rental car, taxi, songthaew, or ride-hailing service. From Hat Yai International Airport, travelers can go through the city and continue to the park, or use a hired vehicle directly. From Songkhla city, use the Songkhla–Hat Yai route and follow signs toward Kho Hong and Hat Yai City Municipal Park.

 

Traveling by private car is the most convenient option because visitors can reach the hilltop worship areas and viewpoints without long walks. Drivers should be careful on steep and winding sections, especially when descending. Families with children or older travelers should plan parking points close to the main attractions, reduce walking on steep slopes, and avoid long exposure to strong midday sun.

 

The park can be combined with several nearby Hat Yai attractions, including Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol, Wat Hat Yai Nai, Kim Yong Market, Santisuk Market, Khlong Hae Floating Market, Greenway Night Market, and ASEAN Night Bazaar. A practical half-day plan is to visit the park in the late afternoon, enjoy the hilltop view and sunset, then return to the city for dinner or a night market. A full-day plan can begin at the park in the morning, continue to temples and markets, and end with shopping or local food in the evening.

 

Visitors should keep the park clean, avoid damaging plants and facilities, use the animal area responsibly, speak quietly in worship zones, and be careful on the uphill roads. Those visiting sacred sites should dress respectfully. Exercise users should share paths politely and remain aware of vehicles on the hill roads.

 

Overall, Hat Yai City Municipal Park is one of the most complete attractions in Hat Yai. It brings together nature, leisure space, viewpoints, religious landmarks, family activities, a science learning center, and basic visitor facilities in one accessible location. For first-time visitors to Hat Yai, the park is worth including in the itinerary because it shows the city’s green side, its spiritual diversity, and its hilltop view in a single trip.

 

 

A: Hat Yai City Municipal Park is located on Kanchanawanit Road in Kho Hong Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, about 6 km from downtown Hat Yai.

 

A: The public park is open daily from 05.00 to 21.00. Some services inside the park, such as the cable car, hill tram, and astronomy learning center, operate on separate schedules.

 

A: Admission to the public park area is free. Some activities and services, including pedal boats, hill tram, the astronomy learning center, and the cable car, have separate fees.

 

A: Main attractions include the flower gardens, waterside pavilion, pond, bird or small animal area, Rama V monument, Guan Yin, Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, Brahma Shrine, Khao Kho Hong viewpoint, Hat Yai Cable Car, and Hat Yai Science and Astronomy Learning Center.

 

A: Yes. Private cars and motorcycles can drive uphill, but the road is steep and winding. Drivers should use caution, especially when descending and during busy visitor periods.

 

A: Morning is best for walking, jogging, and family activities. Late afternoon is best for hilltop views, photography, and sunset over Hat Yai.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol, Kim Yong Market, Khlong Hae Floating Market, Wat Hat Yai Nai, Greenway Night Market, and ASEAN Night Bazaar.

 

A: The main municipal contact number is 074-200000. Park tourist information is also available at 0-7420-0000.