Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
Hilltop Buddhist temple famous for a punishing staircase of ~1,260 steps rewarding climbers with a golden Buddha and 360° views over Krabi's karst landscape.
- Category
- Temples (Wat)
- Entrance fee
- Free (donations welcome); as of 2026 no ticket, confirm locally
- Hours
- Daily ~06:00–18:00; climb the summit stairs before 08:00 to beat heat
- Best time
- Early morning (before 08:00) for cool temperatures and clear views
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the climb
- Difficulty
- Hard — 1,260 steep steps to the 278 m summit shrine
About Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
This is the big one people talk themselves into and then curse halfway up. The staircase to the summit shrine is genuinely brutal, and it does not get easier in the heat, so if you are reasonably fit and start early you will love it. If stairs and humidity are not your thing, be honest with yourself and skip it.
What you get at the top is the real payoff: a golden Buddha and a full sweep over Krabi's limestone country. Down at the base there is a temple complex to wander if you want a calmer visit without the climb.
One warning from anyone who has been up there: the macaques are bold and will go for food and bags. Keep snacks zipped away and do not tempt them.
Highlights
- 1,260-step climb to the 278 m summit shrine
- Golden Buddha and 360° views over the karst landscape
- Temple complex at the base if you skip the stairs
- Cool early-morning light before the heat sets in
Tips
- Start the climb before 08:00 to beat both heat and crowds
- Bring plenty of water for the steep ascent
- Keep food and bags zipped shut, the macaques are aggressive about snacks
- Only attempt the summit if you are fit, the stairs are no joke
How to get there
~9 km / 15 min NE of Krabi Town; songthaew or taxi ~150–300 THB, or grab from Ao Nang ~30 min ~500 THB