Tiger God Shrine (San Chao Pho Suea)
The Basics
The Tiger God Shrine is dedicated to the spirit of a tiger who lived in the jungle surrounding Bangkok. The tiger is thought to bless worshippers with good fortune while also protecting them from evil forces. Inside, you can see an altar to the Chinese god of the north star and other deities. Worshippers burn incense and lay flowers and food as offerings. You can see the shrine on many Old Town tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
There is no entrance fee at the Tiger God Shrine.
Photography is not allowed inside the inner shrine.
The shrine is located near the Giant Swing, Wat Suthat, and the Golden Mount.
Be sure to wear conservative dress when entering the shrine and cover your shoulders and knees.
How to Get There
Bangkok’s Old Town is a very walkable neighborhood. Buses 3, 12, and 42 have stops in the area, and the shrine is included on hop-on hop-off bus tours.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Tiger God Shrine is open to visitors during standard working hours, from early morning until early evening. Consider visiting first thing in the morning, when temperatures are lower and there are fewer crowds. The shrine holds festivals, operas, puppet shows, and other kinds of performances throughout the year.
Chinese History in Bangkok
Bangkok has been home to Chinese immigrants since long before the city was the country’s capital. This community used the Chao Phraya River as a trading corridor to reach the old capital, Ayutthaya, until 1792, when King Rama I relocated to Bangkok and moved the Chinese community in order to build the Grand Palace. The new (current) Chinatown was a commercial center for the latter part of the millennia, and its shops and ornate architecture still remain.
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- Democracy Monument
- Bangkok NANTA Theatre
- Khao San Road
- Wat Suthat Thepwararam
- Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha)
- Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (Loha Prasat)
- Bangkok National Museum
- Grand Palace
- Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
- Banglamphu
- Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
- Phra Sumen Fort
- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
- Phahurat Market (Little India)
- Pak Klong Talad Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat)