Wat Kaewkorawaram Temple located at the heart of Krabi Town is popularly called the White Temple of Krabi. While most tourists explore the Tiger Cave Temple, it is located on the outskirts, unlike this Buddhist Temple. The White Temple is unmissable when you’re traveling from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang or when you’re visiting Krabi Town.
All about the White Temple in Krabi
Wat Kaewkorawaram is perched on a hilltop offering bird’s eye view of Krabi Town. It was built in 1887 and the area around was nestled with 200 families, much unlike the commercial hub it is today.
As you enter the premises, you have to walk 50 meters which gradually elevates in steps and takes you near the stairway. There are Naga statues on both sides of the stairway that represent Hindu deity. They statues have golden body and their face are dragon-like. Their mouths are wide open showcasing white teeth in a ferocious avatar. The bright red eyes add to their appearance, and there are multiple structures on the way.
When you reach the terrace, you will find a vast area stretching across 2,500 square feet, with the temple in the center. The complex is white but the tiled roof is dark blue. It is distinct from the fiery hues you find at the entry and brings a sense of instant calm.
As you go close to the temple, you will find a place to open your shoes to enter the innermost sanctum. A large golden statue of Buddha is seated in the middle amidst beautifully ornated interiors.
There are wall paintings with light blue at the backdrops and pictures depicting stories associated to Buddhism. The ceiling contrasts in dark red and golden work with sun-like motifs all over. There are big windows on two sides letting natural light and wind flow seamlessly.
Next to the temple lies the original ordination hall. It is currently used as Krabi Museum of Contemporary Art that captures the evolving heritage of the town.
Things to know before visiting Wat Kaewkorawaram
Here is how you can explore Wat Kaewkorawaram in Krabi:
Location
At downtown Krabi lies Vogue Shopping Centre at Maharat Road in the Mueang Krabi District. The White Temple locates right opposite this shopping mall.
The temple is perched on a hill, but it isn’t as high as Tiger Cave. There is a staircase with wide stairs winding up with 30-40 steps.
One reason why many tourists stay in Krabi Town or visit this area is due to the night market. The temple is 600 meters away from night market. So, if you’re visiting late afternoon, you can visit the night market a couple of hours later.
Entry fee and timing
The Buddhist temple in free to visit and open between 8 am and 3 pm. The temple remains closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but you can explore the outer park area.
Rules and regulations
A standard rule to visit Buddhist temples across Thailand is to wear clothes that cover the knee. The temple doesn’t have a lot of crowds from both locals and tourists, so you might not find someone in authority. However, it is best to consider religious sentiments and carry a sarong at all times. Bikini tops are also not allowed, so cover your abdomen if you’re wearing itsy-bitsy!
How to visit
White Temple Krabi Town is easily accessible as this is the commercial area and always crowded with people. If you’re using the Grab app, you can easily get a cab for pick-up and drop.
Krabi Bus Terminal is located 6 km away from the temple. So, you can also avail local transport as there are plenty of buses running in this area.
If you book a guided tour around Krabi Town, you can include this temple as a part of your Krabi itinerary. Your private car will bring you here after you’ve explored other places like the Emerald Pool and Hot Springs.
You can also avail of tuk-tuk services that you would find on the way. Tuktuk service in Krabi is unique as they are bikes with an attached sitting area that can accommodate 2-3 people. It looks dangerous but offers an absolutely fun ride.
Best time to visit
According to my personal experience and research, drizzling rains during the receding monsoon conspires the best time to visit. We experienced this during the last week of September 2023 and the cloudy sky added to the temple’s beauty. Alike the best months to visit Krabi, October to May creates the most favorable time to explore.
Why visit White Temple Krabi?
When in Krabi, you must first target exploring Wat Tham Suea. But if you don’t have enough time, visit the Wat Keaw instead. Religious places that were built centuries ago hold stories of bygone era. Thailand is a Buddhist dominant country and exploring wats here will help you go closer to the local culture and lifestyle.
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