Wat Tham Suea
Around 1,260 brutal steps to the summit Buddha, and the temple below is worth your time even if you skip them.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–18:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Finding your way around Wat Tham Suea
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
From the cave temple to the summit
- Main temple and Tiger Cave
- The working monastery at the foot of the hill, built around the cave that gives the temple its name, where rock formations look like tiger paw prints. Shoes come off before the shrine areas, and some halls display human skeletons and skulls.
- Kuan Yin pagoda
- A tall Chinese-style pagoda with a large Kuan Yin statue stands in the grounds. The easier forest walk starts beside it.
- Forest valley walk
- About 90 steps up and 90 back down take you into a valley of very large trees, small cave shrines and the monks' meditation huts. The steps take about ten minutes, and nothing on this side involves the summit climb.
- The 1,260-step stairway
- The summit stairs start separately in the main grounds. They are concrete, uneven and steep, with some risers more than 30 cm high, and macaques hang around the lower flights. Most people take 30–60 minutes up and nearly as long down.
- Summit
- A golden Buddha and a 360-degree view over Krabi's karst country from about 278 m. There is a free drinking-water tap at the top, so one bottle you can refill is enough.
Getting there and around
- Wat Tham Suea is about 9 km northeast of Krabi Town, roughly 15 minutes by Grab, taxi or scooter. A shared songthaew from town costs about ฿50 a person, so ask whether it goes to the temple gate or stops on the main road.
- From Ao Nang it is about 22 km, 25–30 minutes by road. A one-way taxi runs ฿500–600, so a rented scooter or a return car that waits for you is usually the better deal.
- The temple keeps 06:00–18:00 hours, and several guides report the stairway open from about 05:00 for sunrise climbers. Bring a headlamp if you start in the dark.
Details
- Phone
- +66 88 792 6519
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Tham Suea
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Wat Tham Suea.
Why go, and how to do it well
The climb is the whole conversation here. Somewhere between 1,237 and 1,280 steps, depending on who's counting, rising steeply through jungle to a hilltop shrine with a gold Buddha and a 360-degree view over Krabi's karst country. The steps aren't uniform. Some have a rise close to 18 inches, which is less a stair than a hurdle, and people regularly take an hour or more to get up because they have to keep stopping. Coming back down is its own problem, harder on the knees than the ascent.
If you're not up for that, go anyway. The cave network and the lower temple grounds are open to everyone, no climbing involved, and they're a proper Buddhist site rather than a consolation prize. Monkeys hang around the trails. Reviewers say they're far less aggressive than guides make out, as long as you're not carrying food in an open bag and you don't stare at them.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
Stay within reach of Wat Tham Suea
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Tours that include Wat Tham Suea
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Wat Tham Suea.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Tham Suea, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Tham Suea, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Wat Tham Suea, also known as the Tiger Cave Temple, is truly one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Krabi. This temple is not just about spirituality it’s also about adventure and breathtaking views. The main highlight is the climb to the top viewpoint. Be prepared there are around 1,260 steep steps, and the climb is definitely challenging, especially in the heat. But once you reach the top, the view is absolutely worth every step. You get a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Krabi’s limestone mountains, greenery, and coastline. The giant golden Buddha statue at the summit adds to the peaceful and majestic atmosphere. Down below, the temple complex is equally beautiful and calm. There are meditation caves, prayer halls, and monks living in the area. The surroundings are very natural, with lots of trees and sometimes even monkeys roaming around (so be careful with your belongings). The place is well-maintained, and entry is free, though donations are welcome. Make sure to wear proper clothing (covered shoulders and knees), and carry water because the climb can be exhausting. Going early in the morning or late afternoon is better to avoid strong sunlight. There is also free drinking water for tourists Overall, Wat Tham Suea is a perfect mix of spirituality, nature, and adventure. If you're visiting Krabi and don’t mind a bit of a workout, this place is definitely a must-visit. The view from the top is something you’ll never forget!
Known commonly as Tiger Cave Temple, the stairs to the top are not for the faint hearted! Some steps have a rise of about 18 inches and are killers to get up! Wear good footwear, take water (and maybe a glucose tablet to restore energy quickly) but most of all go early! it was so hot by the time we got to the top (which took 1 hour 10 minutes as we had to keep stopping to rest!) Views are incredible though once you’re at the top. The temple itself is beautiful and can be visited without the 1260 step climb. entrance fee when we visited (mar26) is 50 baht
Nice temple but don't try to get to the top unless you are very fit or have plenty of time. The monkeys on the path are not as bad as the guides tell you unless you have food in your bags. Don't carry anything and avoid looking at them and you'll be fine. For me not worth the walk up the steps other than for the fantastic view
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 13,901 reviews on Google.
35 Tambon Krabi Noi, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 4 min walk of Wat Tham Suea.
Stairs Wat Tham Suea
A steep 1,260-step climb up a Krabi mountain leads to a revered Buddhist temple with rewarding views.
Viewpoint at Tiger Cave Temple
A working Buddhist temple in Krabi rewarding those who climb its 1,260 steep steps with sweeping karst panoramas.
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Major temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are dramatically less crowded before 9 AM. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Tham Suea: Frequently Asked Questions
How many steps are there at Tiger Cave Temple, and how long does the climb take?
The stairway has 1,260 steps up to a summit at about 278 m. Older guides quote 1,237, the count before the stairway was changed. Fit walkers reach the top in 30–40 minutes, most people take closer to an hour, and the descent is nearly as slow because the steps are high and uneven.
Is Tiger Cave Temple free?
Entry has long been free, with donation boxes at the top. Some recent visitor guides report a ฿50 charge for foreign visitors at the gate, so carry ฿50 in small cash in case it is collected.
What is the dress code for Tiger Cave Temple?
Cover your shoulders and knees, because this is a working monastery. Sarongs are available at the entrance. Wear shoes with grip for the stairs, since flip-flops slip on wet concrete, and expect to take them off inside the shrines.
What time is best to climb Tiger Cave Temple?
At opening, or in the last two hours before the 18:00 close. Midday heat and humidity are what turn most climbers back. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
Are the monkeys at Tiger Cave Temple dangerous?
Macaques live around the lower stairs and the temple grounds and will grab loose bags, bottles and food. Keep food zipped away, don't feed them, and don't stare them down. Signs warn that they bite, and any bite needs a rabies check.
Is Wat Tham Suea worth visiting?
Wat Tham Suea holds a 4.6★ rating from 13,901 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Krabi.
When is the best time to visit Wat Tham Suea?
The best months to visit Krabi are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough Andaman seas).
Where is Wat Tham Suea located?
Wat Tham Suea is at 35 Tambon Krabi Noi, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand, in Krabi. Getting around Krabi: Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach); Songthaews in Ao Nang.
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