1260 Steps Up Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
Just the thought of Buddhist worshippers in Krabi building such a place on top of a mountain is mind blowing. Shane and I always look for interesting places in our travels to visit. I thought Wat Tham Suea or the Tiger Cave Temple would be interesting; we will be climbing up 1260 steps, a great way to start our morning and burn calories. I convinced Shane, the view will be worth the efforts.
Getting There
We didn’t want to join any tour, rather go on our own at our own pace. A Grab taxi from our hotel in Ao Nang to the temple was ฿300 (around US$8.75) and took 20 minutes. We arranged with the driver to wait for us and paid him double with tip after our trip. It was really convenient this way. I took a photo of the car when we parked at the parking lot of the temple and also the driver’s contact number. Surprisingly there was no entrance fee but donation boxes were placed on strategic locations. We happily contribute some Thai Baht to the upkeep of the temples.
Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
Wat Tham Suea or Tiger Cave Temple is a Buddhist temple north-northeast of Krabi. It is a sacred site known for its tiger paw prints on the cave walls. A monk named Jumnean Seelasettho (Ajahn Jumnean) went to meditate in the cave and he saw tigers roaming around it. That set the foundation of the temple in 1975 and naming the temple Wat Tham Suea. Another legend says a huge tiger actually lived and roamed the cave. Regardless, this site became sacred and temples and monastery were built at the foothills. A 1260 winding steps go up and around the limestone mountain to a giant Buddha on the summit.
The Stairways
The base of the stairways invited visitors to climb up. Monkeys roamed the lower ground freely and were accustomed to humans. They did not shy away but be forewarned; monkeys have been known to snatch food or bite visitors. After all, they were still wild animals. The 1260 steps looked achievable to me but I soon had to change my mind! Some steps were steep and high, over 12 inches! Some were narrow, while others were twice the height of normal steps. I had to grip on to the shaky, rusty railing to make sure I didn’t fall and at the same time prayed hard the railing won’t break. The climb up was strenuous and my legs turned to jelly as soon as I looked down. It became very arduous and scary when all I saw was very steep stairways. This hike is definitely not for the faint hearted. Thank goodness for resting areas along the way!
We have a Tik Tok video of our hike up this mountain shrine. Click HERE.
The Golden Buddha Statue
The golden Buddha statue sat on the summit of the temple at 309 meters (about 1,014 feet) high. It overlooked the limestone mountains, Krabi town and the Andaman Sea at the horizon. The punishing hike…well at least for me was worth it as I stood and watch the view before me. It was impressive. There were other Buddha statues and supposedly Buddha foot imprint. We stayed up there for about 30 minutes before another huge rain clouds threatened to rain down on us.
Plan Your Trip
Plan your trip ahead of time for Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple). The hike up the 1260 uneven steps are pretty laborious for someone like me who only go on the treadmill occasionally. For people who are afraid of heights – well, this is a challenge. I did it and we encountered two men with similar fear, one was a big sized man who played football. Take your time.
- Check the local weather a few days before going on this trip. If you are visiting Krabi during its rainy season, carry a foldable umbrella or raincoat. I would suggest a raincoat because the steps can be steep and you need your hand to hold on to the railing. Some visitors climbed up the steep steps on all fours. It rained during our hike but the tree canopy pretty much shaded us from getting wet.
- Go early in the morning and eat light before the trip. The humid, tropical weather of Krabi, Thailand can get to you.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Wat Tham Suea or the Tiger Cave Temple is a sacred site so adhere to the dress code.
- Carry a bottle of water in your bag pack. Do not carry any snacks because monkeys are known to try grab them away from you. Do not feed the monkeys.
There is a sundry shop at the base of the temple for you to enjoy a fresh coconut juice after your hike. The prices are reasonable for drinks and snacks, actually cheaper than shops in Ao Nang.
Read more about our travel adventures in Thailand.