Tiger Cave Temple: Hidden gem in Krabi, Thailand
Krabi, a province in southern Thailand, is blessed with countless natural wonders. While most international tourists are familiar with the famous islands of Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta and the stunning beaches of Had Yao, Ao Nang and Rai Leh, there are still hidden gems in Krabi that foreigners outside is still unexplored. One such gem is the Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Tham Sua, a remarkable site conveniently located near Krabi Airport, making it the perfect place for travelers to start or end your vacation.
Tiger Cave Pagoda was founded in 1975 in a cave at the foot of a limestone mountain in Kiriwong Valley. According to local legend, this cave was once home to a giant tiger. A wandering monk on a pilgrimage heard a tiger roaring from the cave and chose this place as a place to meditate, despite the warnings of the villagers. After that, the tiger was never seen again and the monk remained in the cave until his death. It is said that the monk’s chanting calmed the tiger. Even today, the cave walls bear what are believed to be tiger footprints.
Tiger Cave Pagoda welcomes visitors free of charge and it is not uncommon for believers to spend three to four days meditating and listening to sermons in the temple. Even non-Buddhist visitors will find the experience worthwhile exploring the beautifully arranged Buddhist altars, statues and reliefs inside the cave. The cave also opens into a picturesque forest, where there are ancient trees hundreds of years old. The forest has strategically placed rocks for meditation, providing a peaceful environment. Visitors are advised not to feed monkeys living in the forest to maintain the natural ecosystem and wild behavior of the monkeys.
One of the unmissable highlights is the climb to the top, where a giant Buddha statue and a grand pagoda await. To reach the top, visitors must climb 1,237 steps from Tiger Cave Temple—a challenging trek that rewards climbers with breathtaking views of the Kiriwong Valley and the entire Krabi province from above.
We should once visit Tiger’s Cave Temple to see that Tiger’s Cave Temple offers a unique combination of natural beauty, spiritual richness and cultural discovery, making it a destination not to be missed. in Krabi.
