Khao Luang Cave
ถ้ำเขาหลวง · Also: Tham Khao Luang, Wat Tham Khao Luang
Phetchaburi's largest and best-known cave, inside Khao Luang hill just outside town, where shafts of daylight fall through openings in the roof onto halls full of old Buddha images.
Khao Luang Cave lies inside Khao Luang, a small hill about 92 metres high in Thong Chai subdistrict, roughly 5 km from Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang). It is considered the largest and most important cave in Phetchaburi. Steps lead from the foot of the hill down into the cave, which has stalactites and stalagmites and openings in the roof that let sunlight in.
The cave holds a large number of Buddha images, including a reclining Buddha about 14 metres long and the image known as Luang Pho To. King Mongkut (Rama IV) visited and was fond of the cave, and King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) later had more images made here in his father's honour. The first chamber has a Buddha footprint replica and a dripstone formation shaped like a turtle.
The highlight is the beam of sunlight that falls through the roof openings in the middle of the day. Open daily 08:00–16:00; a songthaew shuttle up and down the hill costs 25 baht. A large troop of monkeys lives around the cave, and Wat Bunthawi (Wat Tham Klaep) sits at the southern foot of the hill.
Getting there
About 5 km from Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang) along Khiri Rattaya Road; a songthaew shuttle runs up and down the hill.
- Things to do
- CavesWorshipPhotographyWildlife
Sources and photos
Written from the sources below, read on 30 October 2026. Fees and opening can change, so check with the managing office before you go.
- ททท. – วัดถ้ำเขาหลวง (hours, shuttle fare, phone)
- วิกิพีเดีย – เขาหลวง (จังหวัดเพชรบุรี)
- วิกิพีเดีย – วัดถ้ำเขาหลวง
- จังหวัดเพชรบุรี – ถ้ำเขาหลวง
- Wikidata – Tham Khao Luang
- Map position
- Photo: Preecha.MJ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: คีโต · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Zinneke · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons