No matter where you go in the Phetchaburi province, all Wats seem to be filled with inquisitive monkeys. Khao Luang Cave is no exception to the rule.
Located in Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi, Khao Luang Cave is one of the largest in the region.
The caves are set in Khao Luang hill which is almost 100 meters high. They consist of a number of caverns filled with beautifully illuminated golden Buddha images.
King Mongkut (Rama IV) who’s reign of the Kingdom started in 1851 until 1868, used the cave to study Buddhism and to meditate.
Upon arriving at the foot of the hill, locals have put in place a barricade blocking the road up to the cave, thus enabling them to run a business charging 20THB to ferry you in a Tuk Tuk up the hill.
Give it to the Thai’s, if there’s an opportunity no matter how sketchy, they will make money from tourists.
From where you are dropped off, it’s a short walk up a concrete staircase to the mouth of the cave.
This pathway is home to many of the monkeys in the region, and taking care while walking is needed to ensure your own personal safety.
Opting to purchase food at the bottom to feed the monkeys may just see you make the situation worse by encouraging many more to jump from the tree’s in an effort to fill their belly’s.
As always, my biggest warning is to keep an eye out for the dominant male monkey, he will normally cause trouble if you are choosing to feed them.
Walking down the steep stairs that lead into the cave, there is a strong smell of dank concrete and rock, but once you enter the main cavern, this smell subsides with the distraction of the sheer size of the cave.
The cave is filled with Buddha images, several chedis and a great number of stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
Also included is a Buddha image cast by order of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
The atmosphere within the cave is serene and peaceful, it is a quiet place for reflection. Buddhist people will pay respect to the Buddha statues by burning candles and incense sticks.
There are about 170 Buddha figures in Khao Luang cave. One of the most empowering is a large reclining Buddha, symbolizing the passing of the Buddha into final Nirvana.
With the rays of the sun shining through holes in the ceiling, the caves are illuminated, giving the gold colored Buddha images a mystical appearance.
You will also find rock like stalactites hanging from the caves ceiling, formed over the centuries by slow dripping water.
Many of the caverns are lit by colourful florescent tubes, illuminating the walls in some surreal colours.
How to get there: Khao Luang cave is located just North of Petchaburi, and a few kilometers away from Phra Nakhon Khiri historical park.
The best way to get there is by private taxi or mini-bus. Time from Bangkok is around two hours, or shorter if you are coming from Hua Hin.
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