The Tiger Cave Temple, better known to tourists, lies a few kilometers outside Krabi Town. It is particularly popular for the view from a mountaintop, reached via a staircase with 1,260 steps, and for its caves, including the famous "Tiger Cave." Signs indicate 1,237 steps, but the last step is numbered 1,260. At the top, in addition to the view, you'll find a small golden chedi and a seated Buddha statue. The walk through the temple forest, called "Wonderland," where all the caves are located and where you can admire beautiful old trees and a shrine with a colorful Buddha, is pleasant and peaceful. A small troop of monkeys lives in the temple, but don't worry, they are not aggressive. The Tiger Cave Temple's origins date back to 1975, when a monk came to the cave to meditate. During his meditation, he saw tigers roaming around inside. This likely explains the name. However, there are other legends surrounding the name Wat Tham Seua. For example, some stories say that a giant tiger once lived in the cave, or that tiger paw prints have been found on the walls, or that the temple is named as such because part of the cave resembles a tiger's paw. You can choose the version that appeals to you most.

The cheapest way to get from Krabi Town to Wat Tham Seua is by taking one of the red songthaews (small trucks that serve as local buses). The stop is on Utarakit Road, by the riverbank, in front of the River View Hotel. You can also catch a songthaew outside of the regular service hours. The journey takes half an hour and costs 50 baht. For the return trip to Krabi, it's not always possible to find a red songthaew. In this case, you might need a motorbike taxi or a private car. To my surprise, it was the police officer from the station near the temple entrance who left his post to take me back to town for 150 baht (for two people). Alternatively, a tuk-tuk or taxi ride to or from the temple costs around 120 baht.

Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)? The cheapest way to get there from Krabi Town is by taking one of the red songthaews (small trucks that serve as local buses). The stop is on Utarakit Road, along the river, in front of the River View Hotel. You can also catch one outside of scheduled times. The journey takes half an hour and costs 50 baht. It's not always possible to find a red songthaew for the return trip to Krabi. In that case, you might need a motorbike taxi or a private car. I was surprised when the police officer from the station near the temple entrance gave me a ride back to town for 150 baht (for two people). Alternatively, a tuk-tuk or taxi ride to or from the temple costs about 120 baht.