While Krabi offers plenty of tourist attractions to any lucky soul who ventures into the place, one of the locations that you cannot miss is the Tiger Cave Temple. Known as “Wat Tham Sua” in the local language, this magnificent cave is filled with incredible natural wonders. The Tiger Cave is the perfect place for anyone deciding to spend some time exploring what nature has to offer. However, if you want to enhance your experience, there is a climb right by the cave, which will bring you atop to a viewpoint that offers you a panoramic view of the land that surrounds the place.
If you’re interested in visiting the Tiger Cave, here’s what you can expect:
Getting to the Temple
If you’re staying at Krabi Town, the Tiger Cave Temple is located approximately three kilometers away. To get there, you can either opt to travel by tuk-tuk, taxi, or van. Songthaews, which is the public bus you’ll find in Krabi, can also get you there. While it won’t directly bring you to the cave, it’ll stop by the road that’s around a 20-minute walk away from the temple—a good warmup before the climb.
The Climb
As previously mentioned, you’ll need to climb 1,237 steps before reaching the viewpoint. While those who are physically fit might not see this as too much of a problem, know that the hot Thai weather can take a toll on your body. For this reason, don’t forget to bring a bottle or two of water and wear comfortable light clothes.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with a 360 view of the surrounding area, which includes the sea, limestone cliffs, and lush forests.
If you’re looking for an even more spectacular view, visit the viewpoint before sunrise or sunset. The view then would be stunning, not to mention the climb being much more comfortable since the weather then is cooler than during the day.
The Cave
When you arrive at the cave, you’ll find fantastic limestone structures and even tiger footprints inside. Did you know that the name of the temple came from an old legend where a tiger called the cave home?
Today, though you won’t find any tigers, you will find plenty of monkeys. There are also people there selling bananas for you to feed the monkeys, but it will be in your best interest to avoid doing so. These monkeys are still wild and might bite or even scratch you if you’re not careful.
Final Notes
Remember, because the cave is a temple, you will need to dress respectfully. Don’t forget to bring some water and snacks as well if you’re planning to make the climb. As for your valuables, put them safely away, as the monkeys can quickly snatch them off your body when you least expect. Finally, we highly recommend that you come to visit the place late in the afternoon or early in the morning to escape the hot weather that Thailand is well known for.
To conclude, Krabi’s Tiger Cave Temple is a stunning natural wonder. While that might be a good enough reason to visit the place, what truly makes the location special is the reward that awaits those taking up the 1237-step challenge up the mountain. We recommend that you do so, as you’ll be greeted with a view so stunning, you’ll find yourself thinking about coming back here again!
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Ao Nang, Krabi to enjoy the beauty that the place has to offer, consider staying Peace Laguna Resort! After a tiring climb to the viewpoint, come and visit our spa as you relax from all that hard work. We’re rated as one of the best resorts in Krabi.