Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) is a Buddhist temple north-northeast of Krabi and one of the most amazing religious sites in Thailand, It's really breathtaking experience. It's located 3km away from Krabi Town and was founded in 1975. The temple is surrounded by tropical rain forest in the Kiriwong Valley.
The Tiger Cave is a sacred site and one of the top tourist attractions of Krabi, The naming of the temple is due to tiger paw prints discovery on the cave walls. Another legend says: an actual tiger used to live in the cave.
There's a massive stairway which has 1260 steps leading to the summit. The top of the stairs is 278 m elevation. Going up the stairs could be a serious challenge if you're not in suitable body condition and you need to stop many times after each step. I recommend, exercise before going to Krabi, to get ready for passing the 1260 stairs, and getting to the top point.
Beware! Nothing is waiting for you in this not easy route, No help, No water, No shop, No seat, No umbrella, No breathing recovery aids. You are completely on your own. The best recommendation for going up are; 1. Go early in the morning, before it gets hot. 2. Take some water with you. 3. Use waist bag or backpack. 4. Put on sport clothes and shoes.
Normal time for going up is about 30 minutes and when you finish the stairs you will encounter a spectacular 360-degree viewpoint and many mysterious religious statues of Lord Buddha at temple. Everyone wants to stay at summit as long as possible.
Although getting to the summit is not so easy and it’s more difficult in Krabi hot weather, but when you get to the summit and you are watching from the imaginary viewpoint and observing the most beautiful landscape of Krabi under your feet, you feel yourself above the clouds, in the middle of the sky.
Holding a meditation center and a very peaceful ambience makes your visit of tiger cave a unique spiritual experience.