Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wat Tham Seua
A sprawling hill and cave temple complex 8km northwest of Krabi,
Wat Tham Seua
(Tiger
Cave Temple) is an easy and very worthwhile daytrip from Krabi Town. Although the
main
wí·hăhn
(hall) is built into a long, shallow limestone cave at the wát's entrance,
where there's also a shiny new pagoda to explore, the best part of the temple grounds can
be found by following a loop trail through a little forest valley behind the ridge where the
bòht
(central sanctuary) is located. You'll find several limestone caves hiding Buddha im-
ages, statues and altars as well as some of the monks' rustic jungle huts, behind which
they hang out their saffron robes to dry. Troops of monkeys cackle from the trees.
Back near the park entrance again, you'll come to a gruellingly steep 1237 steps
(you'll have the number memorised if you climb them) leading to a 600m karst peak. The
fit and fearless are rewarded with a Buddha statue, a gilded stupa and spectacular views;
on a clear day you can see well out to sea.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR AT THE WAT
Wat Tham Seua sees a large amount of Western visitors, many of whom unfortunately arrive in shorts, swimsuits
and even shirtless as if they just stepped off the beach. Signs are posted around the wát asking visitors to dress
respectfully but the monks themselves, as well as most Thais, are too polite to say anything to those disregarding
their kind request. This is a sacred area of worship, so please be respectful and dress modestly: trousers or skirts
past the knees, shirts covering the shoulders and nothing too tight.
Getting There & Away
A motorcycle taxi or túk-túk from Krabi to Wat Tham Seua costs 100B. By
sŏrng·tăa·ou
, get on at Krabi's Th Utarakit for 50B, and tell the driver 'Wat Tham Seua'. If no one
else is going to the wát, the driver may ask an extra fee to drive you down the 300m lane
from the main road to the wát's entrance. It's just as easy to get off at the road and walk.
Motorcycle taxis and túk-túks hang out in the wát parking lot, or you could flag one
down on the main road.
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