Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple, Kanchanaburi)
A hilltop temple with a giant seated golden Buddha and a tiered pagoda, overlooking a patchwork of rice paddies. Reached by stairs or a small cable car.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free (donations welcome); a small funicular up the hill costs a few baht. As of 2026, confirm locally.
- Hours
- Roughly 07:00-18:00 daily. As of 2026, confirm locally.
- Best time
- Cool season; early morning or late afternoon for the best light and cooler climb over the rice fields.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours
About Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple, Kanchanaburi)
A hilltop temple with a giant seated golden Buddha and a tiered pagoda, and honestly one of the best panoramas anywhere near Kanchanaburi. It looks out over a patchwork of rice paddies, and it stays quiet, which makes it feel like a bit of a local secret.
Getting up is easy either way: take the stairs or the small cable car. Just don't confuse it with the busier Tiger Cave Temple down in Krabi, they share a name but this is the calm one.
Come early morning or late afternoon for the best light and a cooler climb, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered since it's an active temple.
Highlights
- Giant seated golden Buddha and a tiered pagoda
- One of the best panoramas near Kanchanaburi
- Views over a patchwork of rice paddies
- Quiet and rarely crowded
- Choice of stairs or a small cable car to the top
Tips
- Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light and a cooler climb
- Dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees, it's an active temple
- Take the small funicular up if you'd rather skip the stairs
- Bring your own transport, public options out here are limited
How to get there
About 16 km SE of Kanchanaburi across the river near Tha Muang. Car/motorbike ~25-30 min; easiest with your own transport or a taxi/tour as public options are limited.