1. Hat Yai Municipal Park
Hat Yai Municipal Park is a large recreational park-cum-tourist attraction to the east of Hat Yai City in Thailand. Within the park itself, there are many points of interest.
2. songthaew at the entrance of park
3. directions to attractions within the park
How much time would one need to enjoy the entire park? Half a day, I would say, but quite impossible to cover the entire area in just a single visit.
4. statue of General Kuan Ti
5. Goddess of Mercy complex
It is quite tricky to visit Hat Yai Municipal Park if you do not have your own transport. From the entrance of the park, there is a public shuttle (for a fee) that will take visitors to Goddess of Mercy complex. Do take note that service may be unavailable on Mondays.
6. inside the complex
7. Goddess of Mercy flanked by Jade Maiden (玉女) and Golden Youth (金僮)
From there, climb 300+ steps stairs to the Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj statue. This is the tallest Buddha statue in Southern Thailand.
8. mouth of the dragon
9. Supreme August Jade Emperor (L) & Laughing Buddha (R)
Named Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj, it stands at 19.9 metres (25 metres if include its base) and weighs 200 tonnes. If you have chartered a tuk tuk, this is the area where you will alight.
10. Chinese zodiac
11. Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj
This is also the place where you can take a short cable car ride to visit Brahma Statue (Lord Brahma Complex). Cable car ride (return trip) is ฿200 per person (foreigner), ฿100 (Thai adult) and ฿50 (Thai child).
12. cable car complex
13. cable car system that links the Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj area to Lord Brahma Complex
With own transport, you can drive right up to the Lord Brahma Complex, although you would need a vehicle powerful enough to handle the steep roads.
14. Lord Brahma Complex
15. Lord Brahma
The religious aspect of the park, encompassing Taoism, Buddhism and Thai Buddhism, is just one part of Hat Yai Municipal Park.
16. deities
17. elephant statues
There is also the Planetarium, equipped with an 80-seat theatre. Another attraction is the King Rama V Monument. If you have time to spare, you can enjoy the main park where there is a calm lake, best for picnic.
18. devotees participate in animal liberation ceremony
19. devotees pay homage to deities with lighting off long red firecrackers
Now that I have visited once, I would surely want to go again the next time I am in Hat Yai. It would be best to go by own transport, in order to visit every point of interest at leisure. Do bear in mind to dress appropriately when visiting temples and wats in Thailand.
20. Thai girls in costumes ready for performance
21. cable car ride back to Phra Buddha Mongkol Maharaj area
This trip was made possible by Dexma Express, Malindo Air, 尚游 Premium Travel. Malindo Air Malaysia flies direct from Subang SkyPark Terminal (SZB) and Penang International Airport (PEN) to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday.
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3 Comments
At March 28, 2018, Del Asyraf wrote:
the architecture is so amazing. nice info
At March 28, 2018, Suzlin wrote:
Been to Hat Yai but never visit this place. Next time should go here.
At March 28, 2018, Marsha wrote:
Planned to visit Hat Yai this year. Can go here later