A forest temple north of Krabi town where 1,237 steps lead to a golden Buddha and an open viewpoint over the Andaman Sea.
From the summit, the whole Krabi plain unfolds below — and only then do those thousand-odd steps feel worth it.— a traveller who reached the top
Wat Tham Suea sits among the limestone hills about 7 km north of Krabi town. It is both a busy southern-Thai Buddhist temple and a popular hiking destination, blending dramatic natural caves, a golden Buddha and a serene meditation atmosphere.
Buddhist Temple
Krabi, Thailand
4.6 (13,763)
Daily 06:00–18:00
The temple is visitor-friendly, but as a religious site there are a few things worth knowing in advance.
The temple is open all year with no booking needed. To ensure all visitors have a comfortable experience, we provide detailed layout and accessibility information.
Daily 06:00 – 18:00
35 Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 Thailand
Accessibility
While the summit requires a strenuous climb of 1,237 steps, the main hall at the base, parts of the natural caves, and the centuries-old bodhi tree paths in the valley monastery are flat and highly suitable for elderly visitors, wheelchair users, or those with limited stamina.
Site Layout
The grounds are clearly laid out: spacious parking and restrooms are near the entrance; heading left leads to the natural caves and flat forest meditation paths; heading right takes you to the starting point of the 1,237-step climb.
The temple is about 7 km from Krabi town and easy to reach by car, taxi or local songthaew.
Whether you stay in Krabi town, Ao Nang or Railay, getting to Tiger Cave Temple is straightforward. Here are the three most common and hassle-free options.
The most common local ride — flexible and cheap.
The most free way, with scenic roads along the way.
Ideal if you want it arranged and combined with other stops.
Wat Tham Suea is open to visitors yet remains an active place of worship. Following this code of conduct helps you climb safely while respecting local ecology and beliefs.
Cover shoulders and knees on temple grounds and remove shoes inside the main hall; keep strict silence and show respect near meditation areas and monks.
The 1,237 steps are steep and mostly unshaded — wear trainers and bring water. The climb takes 30–60 min; rest in the shade when needed.
To protect the natural foraging habits and health of wild macaques, feeding is strictly prohibited. Keep glasses, phones, and small items secure to prevent snatching.
Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles. Do not leave any trash on the hill; bring all waste back down to the base to protect the pristine forest ecology.
Timing your visit avoids the heat and catches the best light and sunsets. Here's how to plan by time of day and by season.
Arrive at opening for cool, uncrowded steps and soft light — the most pleasant window to climb and photograph.
The stairs are almost fully exposed and the heat is intense; the summit climb is tough, so try to avoid it.
Climb for sunset as golden light spills across the Krabi plain — the most memorable moment of the day.
Dry and comfortable — ideal for the climb, but also peak tourist season, so arrive early.
High temperatures and strong UV — go at dawn or dusk and carry plenty of water.
Green and quiet with fewer crowds, but steps get slippery — wear grippy shoes and take care.
From a meditating monk's retreat to a bustling hillside monastery, the story of Wat Tham Suea is as intriguing as its name — part documented history, part legend passed down for decades.
In 1975, the renowned southern-Thai meditation monk Jumnean Seelasettho (revered as Luang Pho Khruba Chaiwong) settled in a natural cave amid the limestone hills north of Krabi Town. Following the Thai Forest Tradition of simplicity, meditation and living close to nature, he gradually drew devotees from far and wide, and the once-remote grotto grew into the forest monastery seen today.
Legend says that when the monk first arrived, tigers still roamed the caves; clawed markings scarred the rock walls, and one stalactite is shaped uncannily like a crouching tiger. The temple was thus named Wat Tham Suea — literally 'Tiger Cave Temple' in Thai — a name that both records Krabi's wild forested past and lends the site an air of mystery.
The temple's most famous feature is the steep 1,237-step staircase up Khao Kaeo hill. At the top, a roughly 9-metre seated golden Buddha (Phra Puttakhaya Sirirat) presides over the clouds, surrounded by gilded images, a Buddha footprint and a giant carved footprint. From about 278 m, the summit offers a 360° panorama of the Krabi plain, winding rivers and the distant karst peaks of the Andaman Sea.
Beyond the summit Buddha, the base of the hill is ringed by a network of natural caverns (tham means 'cave'), enshrining Buddha images, relics and monks' belongings. A forested loop trail leads to a serene 'valley monastery', shaded by bodhi and towering yang trees said to be centuries old — a cool retreat for monks and lay visitors alike.
Nearly half a century on, Wat Tham Suea remains an active, living monastery — not merely a tourist site. At dawn monks walk for alms and devotees make offerings; on Buddhist holy days it fills with pilgrims. It carries layered meaning as a place of religious practice, nature conservation and local cultural identity.
Local Legend: The Guardian Tiger
Folklore tells that as the monk meditated through the dark cave nights, a tiger — far from harming him — lay at the entrance to guard him and ward off evil. When the monk passed away, the tiger's shadow vanished too, leaving only the claw marks on the wall and that tiger-shaped stalactite. To this day, pilgrims who believe the cave's tiger-spirit protects their practice light incense before the tiger stone and the Buddha footprint.
Wat Tham Suea is not just a scenic spot but a vital religious center. Grand ceremonies are held here during major Buddhist festivals.
Commemorates the Buddha's teaching to 1,250 enlightened monks. Devotees hold candlelit processions around the stupas and caves at the base.
The most sacred festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of the Buddha. Many devotees hike to the summit Buddha on this day.
Continuing the Forest Tradition, the temple offers meditation guidance. The valley monastery sometimes hosts devotees for short-term retreats.
From the golden Buddha to the limestone cliffs — a look at the beauty and stillness of Wat Tham Suea.
The maintenance, ecological conservation, and support for monks at Wat Tham Suea rely entirely on public donations. Your kindness directly helps sustain this place of faith and nature.
The 1,237 steps to the summit and the viewpoint face constant weather erosion and require ongoing maintenance to ensure safety for all climbers.
As part of a nature reserve, the temple helps clear forest litter, protects wildlife habitats, and maintains a pure 'Leave No Trace' ecology.
Supports the daily meals, medical care, and meditation needs of resident monks, as well as basic operations like nighttime lighting and utilities.
How to Donate
Wat Tham Suea does not charge an entrance fee. If you wish to support, donation boxes are located at the main hall entrance, near the natural caves, and beside the summit Buddha. All funds go directly to temple maintenance and public welfare.
The gallery and hero photos on this page are Creative Commons images from Flickr, retrieved via LoremFlickr using tags related to Wat Tham Suea. Click the link under each photo to view the original author and licence details.
Wat Tham Suea sits about 7 km from Krabi Town, with beaches, hot springs and natural wonders close by — easy to combine into a day out.
The provincial hub: night market, riverside promenade and the white Wat Kaew temple, with food and supplies.
Krabi's liveliest beach town and the launch point for longtail boats to the islands.
A cliff-ringed peninsula and rock-climbing mecca, reachable only by boat and blissfully cut off.
A naturally emerald spring pool set in forest — great for a cooling dip and jungle walk.
Natural thermal springs perfect for a soothing foot soak after the summit climb.
Krabi's iconic twin limestone peaks, best seen on a boat trip along the Krabi River.
The reviews below are compiled visitor feedback to help you understand the real experience. See more on Google Maps.
Lin Xiaotong
March 2026
Reaching the top was so worth it! The golden Buddha glitters in the sun and the Krabi plain stretches endlessly. Bring water and wear trainers.
David Parker
February 2026
1,237 steps are tiring but the monkeys are cute and the summit view is superb. Go early — fewer people and less heat.
Suchart Wongthai
January 2026
As a devotee I found it solemn and the caves and Buddha impressive. Only note: the steps are slippery, so elders and kids should go slowly.
Aiko Tanaka
December 2025
Free entry was a pleasant surprise and the monks are friendly. Watching sunset from the top was the most unforgettable moment of my Krabi trip.
Common questions about the climb, tickets, dress code and the best time to go — answered in one place.