Tham Tu Pu limestone cave network lies a couple of kilometers northwest of Chiang Rai city, across the Mae Fah Luang Bridge. Many caves in this stunningly beautiful area of limestone outcrops have been used for centuries as Buddhist shrines, with the carving of holy images out of the living rock still continuing today.
At the gates to the caves sit statues of monkeys with their paws covering their eyes in a classic rendering of the ‘see no evil’ pose.
Fronted by its carved cliff face, the entrance to the narrow cave is stepped and leads through a rock passageway to marble-floored pavilions with carved stone or gilt-bronze Buddhist and Brahman images. There are three levels to the caves: from the open top level visitors have a fine view of the surrounding countryside.
Tham Tu Pu caves have a degree of natural light especially in the afternoon, as well as a colony of bats in a small cave behind the glowing carved stone Buddha image with its golden robe and altar in the main pavilion. A flashlight is needed to see the lovely little gilded laughing Buddha at the back of the cave. At the foot of the cliff face is the Tham Tu Pu Meditation Centre.
Getting There
by tuk-tuk, motorbike taxi or bicycle from the town (20-30 minutes). Cross the Mae Fah Luang Bridge to the northwest of town, then turn left after 1.5km. From here the cave is about 1km on your right.
Need to Know
- What is it? A Buddhist cave shrine used for worship for centuries.
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00, though the gates are sometimes closed; best seen in the afternoon.
- Entrance fees: none.
- Address: North of the Kok River.
- Where: in Baan Nam Lat, close to Chiang Rai.