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Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea), Krabi

Tiger Cave Temple summit: a large seated Buddha in an orange robe, the plain and limestone hills below
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free; donations welcome
Hours
Daily, roughly 6:00–18:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
2 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Stairs
About 1,260 steps to the 278 m summit; some steps over 30 cm high
Climb
30–60 minutes up, the same down
Dress code
Shoulders and knees covered in the temple areas
Distances
≈ 9 km from Krabi Town, ≈ 23 km from Ao Nang, ≈ 9 km from the airport
Coordinates
8.12400, 98.92518YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1975the monk Ajahn Jumnean came to meditate in the cave and founded the monastery
SourceEnglish and Thai Wikipedia
Tigerslegend says tigers lived in the cave, and 'paw prints' are shown on its walls
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
≈ 1,260steps lead to the summit; there used to be 1,237
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
278 mthe height of the summit with the Buddha statue
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
> 30 cmthe height of some steps — the climb is very steep
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
90.9 mthe height of the big valley stupa, on a 58 m base
SourceThai Wikipedia
5 mthe height of the Guanyin statue in the grounds
SourceThai Wikipedia
Archaeologystone tools and ancient pottery have been found in the caves
SourceEnglish and Thai Wikipedia

What is Tiger Cave Temple?

Wat Tham Suea ('Tiger Cave Temple') is a forest Buddhist monastery and meditation centre in a valley among limestone cliffs, north-north-east of Krabi Town. The monk Ajahn Jumnean founded it in 1975, after coming to meditate in a cave where, legend has it, tigers roamed. 'Tiger paw prints' are pointed out on the cave walls.

The temple has two parts. Below are the caves, a big stupa about 90 m tall, a Guanyin statue and forest trails where monks live in caves. Above is a shrine with a large golden Buddha and a stupa 278 m up, reached by about 1,260 steps. From the top you can see all of Krabi, the plains and the cliffs out to the sea.

Entry, hours and rules

Entry is free, with donation boxes around the grounds. According to guides it's open daily from about 6:00 to 18:00; there's no official website. Climb early in the morning: it's cooler, the light is soft and there are fewer people.

It's a working monastery: in the temple areas cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off at the hall doors and keep your voice down. For the climb wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, then put on a shirt at the top.

What to see

  • The summit with the golden Buddha — the reward for the climb, with views over Krabi.
  • The cave with the 'tiger paw prints' at the base.
  • The big stupa in the valley.
  • The 5 m Guanyin statue.
  • The forest trail to the caves where monks live.
  • Sunrise or sunset from the top.

How to get to Tiger Cave Temple

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

Loading the map…

destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From Krabi Town — about 9 km, 15 minutes by taxi, Grab or scooter.
  2. From Ao Nang — about 23 km, around 30 minutes.
  3. From Krabi Airport (KBV) — about 9 km, 15 minutes.
  4. On a tour — the temple is often included in mainland Krabi tours.
  5. There's parking at the foot; the stairs start by the temple buildings.

How long do you need?

Allow 2–3 hours: 30–60 minutes up, half an hour at the top, then the descent and a look round the lower temple. If the climb isn't for you, the lower part with its caves and stupa is worth an hour on its own.

The best time is the dry season, November to April. After rain the steps are slippery, and in fog the view from the top can vanish — though sometimes you get a 'sea of clouds'.

Is Tiger Cave Temple worth the climb?

Yes, if you're reasonably fit: the view over Krabi from the top is one of the best in the province, and the climb is memorable.

The YesGo take: 1,260 steep steps in tropical heat is a serious workout, and the top can be crowded. Don't climb at midday. If it's too much, the lower temple with its caves is enough.

Before you go: checklist

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Krabi viewpoints: compare and choose

Viewpoints in Krabi rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Phra Nang Beach372 hFree16.3 km
Railay Beach363 hFree15.9 km
Koh Tup and Chicken Island272 hpark fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra22.0 km
Tiger Cave Templeyou are here262 hFree—
Koh Poda253 hpark fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 30021.4 km
Koh Hong164 hpark fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra27.7 km

Mainland Krabi in a day

Tiger Cave Temple early in the morning, the Emerald Pool around midday, and Ao Nang Beach towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Tiger Cave Templeyou are here2 h · free
  2. 759 min walk from the previous stopEmerald Pool2 h 30 min · ≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 200
  3. 876 min walk from the previous stopAo Nang Beach2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht

3 places · about 33 h 45 min with walks · 1635 min on foot in total

Go · my route

How to do it right

  • Start before 8:00 — cooler and quieter.
  • Rest at the landings on the way — don't rush.
  • Water isn't always sold at the top — bring your own.
  • Go down slowly: the steps are tall.
  • Afterwards: cool off at the Emerald Pool.

Questions

How many steps are there at Tiger Cave Temple?

About 1,260 to the summit at 278 m.

How long does the climb take?

30–60 minutes up and the same down.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, entry is free; donations are welcome.

What are the opening hours?

Roughly 6:00 to 18:00 (according to guides).

How do I get there from Ao Nang?

About 23 km — around 30 minutes by taxi or scooter.

Are there tigers?

No — the tigers are from the cave's legend. The temple with animals was in Kanchanaburi and has closed.

What is the dress code?

Shoulders and knees covered in the temple areas.

Are the monkeys dangerous?

They grab food and bottles — keep your things in a closed backpack.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia — Tiger Cave Temple: founding in 1975, legend, staircase, summit height, monkeys, archaeological finds
  • Thai Wikipedia — Wat Tham Suea (Krabi): founder, 90.9 m stupa, Guanyin statue
  • 2026 travel guides — opening hours, climbing tips (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q6710654 — coordinates; OSRM route — distances from Krabi Town, Ao Nang and the airport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThere's no official website. History, the step count (1,237 before, about 1,260 after rebuilding) and the 278 m height are from English Wikipedia; Thai Wikipedia gives 1,239 steps and '600 m above sea level', which doesn't match the map, so we use the English figures. The 90.9 m stupa and Guanyin statue are from Thai Wikipedia. We don't describe the human remains displayed at the temple. Hours come from guides and are marked unconfirmed. Distances are OSRM routes from Krabi Town (8.8 km), Ao Nang (22.6 km) and the airport (9.2 km).

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