Wat Koh Wanararm
Thai Buddhist Temple in Langkawi

Wat Koh Wanararm Langkawi

Wat Koh Wanararm and Wat Tham Kisap are a couple of Thai Buddhist temples in Langkawi which are worth visiting.

They are located a short distance outside Kuah town 

Buddha Statue at Wat Koh Wanararm

Wat Wanararm is sometimes spelt (on Google Maps and elsewhere) as Wat Koh Wanaram, and also known as Wat L P Koon, or Luang Por Khun or Luang Phor Khoon temple, named after its founder, a Thai monk.

Garden at Wat Wanararm
Main prayer hall at Wat Koh Wanararm

This temple complex is still undergoing expansion and construction. So far the compound comprises the following:

  • A main hall with a large Buddha statue and wall paintings depicting events in Buddha’s life.
  • Eight stupas with names such as Stupa of Enlightenment, Stupa of Many Doors, Stupa of Reconciliation and so on.
  • A landscaped garden with outdoor pagodas,  statues, prayer wheels, fish pond and more.
  • Overlooking the whole temple area is a large white marble Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) statue which appears as if it has been carved out of the hill side.

Behind the Kuan Yin is a path leading up the hill where there are supposed to be caves used by monks for meditating One of these caves was rumoured to be home to a giant snake. I did not go up there myself to verify.

Kuan Yin statue in Langkawi
Stupas at Wat Wanararm

How to Get to Wat Koh Wanararm

The location is marked on the interactive map on the Top Langkawi Attractions page.

GPS co-ordinates: 6° 20' 15.63" N  99° 52' 26.90" E

Telephone: 07-9671917

The area is called Bukit Putih. If you are driving from Kuah, take Jalan Air Hangat (route 112). Just outside Kuah you will see the turn off to the temple on the right immediately opposite the MARA college building (Maktab Rendah Sains Mara). The turn off is signposted.

There is plenty of free parking and entrance to Wat Koh Wanararm is free. Donations are always welcome.

Wat Tham Kisap, Langkawi

Wat Tham Kisap

Another Thai Buddhist temple located just a short distance away is Wat Tham Kisap. You could describe it as a cave temple since it is located at the foot of a limestone hill where there is a small recessed cave under the overhanging cliff.

There are a number of temple structures here, some still under construction, and plenty of statues and figures, including some life sized elephant statues.

Unfortunately we were unable to view inside this temple because a couple of hostile dogs belonging to the builders did not want us around.

Next door to this temple is a modest Indian temple making use of the hill’s overhanging cave feature.

I notice that there is a quarry close by called Kedah Marble which is slowly eating away the limestone hill. Better visit these temples soon before the whole mountain disappears!

elephant statues at Wat Tham Kisap

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