Cultural Tourism: Songkhla Old Town in Songkhla Province

Cultural Tourism: The Old Town of Songkhla  

     The old town area in Songkhla is over 200 years old. The architecture is a cross between Chinese and European, and there are three important roads, which are Nakhon Nok Road, Nakhon Nai Road, and Nang Ngam (beauty queen) Road. 

     Nakhon Nok Road is next to the lake. In the past, this area used to be a port for trading and importing-exporting goods from other countries. It is called Hub Ho Hin, or Red Rice Mill, by the people of Songkhla. Nowadays, this location is a historical learning center regarding history and cultures from the past up to the present.

     Nakhon Nai Road is between Nakhon Nok and Nang Ngam roads, and the important sites are Ban Nakhon Nai, the ancient Chinese wooden house, and the White House Building. Inside these places, there are preserved old items displayed, as well.

     Kao Hong (nine rooms) Road was the old name of Nang Ngam Road. It was built as part of the city pillar celebration. There are two important places on this road that are respected by the locals and are considered the center of the hearts of Songkhla and Thai Chinese people; those are the Shrine of the Songkhla City god and the Guan Yu Shrine. The architecture on these roads is a charming mixture of Chinese, Sino-European, and contemporary, making these areas a learning center of architecture and culture, which reflect the lifestyle of the people through the wall paintings on the buildings and houses.  

     Apart of the beauty of the architecture and arts in the old town area, there is a variety of food you can try, whether you prefer Thai or Chinese, such as Nakhon Nai Sukiyaki, Khao Stu Kiat Fang Restaurant, Nakhon Nai, Pig Tail Noodles, Under Chinese Opera Theater Noodles, Nana Ngam Roti, ice cream in a jar, and Turtle Egg Snack (Thai fried sweet potato balls), as well as souvenirs like local products. You get to relax, enjoy the food, and learn the history of the old town of Songkhla, as well.