Wat Sam Phran, also known as the Dragon Temple, is a really impressive Buddhist Temple located just outside of Bangkok. It is one of Bangkok’s hidden treasures, although it is slowly becoming very popular on social media as it is so unique!
The temple stands out due to its striking architecture, which features a massive 80 metre high pink cylindrical building with a giant dragon wrapped around its exterior. It’s an incredibly beautiful temple, and there’s something so magical about it.
This article explains all you need to know about a visit to Wat Samphran, including how to get there, opening times, the best time to visit, and how to get the best pictures!
Where Is Wat Sam Phran Located?
Wat Sam Phran is located in the Sam Phran district of Nakhon Pathom province, 40 km west of Bangkok city centre. It should take just under an hour to drive here from Bangkok. Here is the Google Maps location.
How To Get To Wat Sam Phran
As Wat Sam Phran is not in the centre of Bangkok, many tourists don’t make the effort to visit it, which is certainly a mistake! A visit to Wat Sam Phran is absolutely a must on any Bangkok bucket list itinerary and it is very easy to visit!
The easiest way to visit Wat Sam Phran is by car or Grab taxi (South East Asia’s version of Uber), as public transportation options are limited and more time consuming.
By Car/Grab Taxi
If you’re driving yourself, it’s pretty much straight down the motorway to get here once you’re out of Bangkok. Or if you plan to visit using a Grab taxi, it should cost around 500 THB each way.
I would definitely recommend you ask your driver to wait for you while you visit the temple, and then they can drive you back to Bangkok. Otherwise, it’s very hard to get a Grab or taxi from here that will take you back to Bangkok!
Generally the drivers are happy to wait for you, just negotiate the fee for the drive back – which you’ll most likely have to pay in cash to avoid Grab taking a big commission.
By Public Bus
If you want to take the public bus to save some money, you’ll need to take the number 84 bus. from bus stop BTS Krungthonburi in Bangkok. The ride takes over an hour and costs 25 baht.
You can ask the driver when to get off the bus from Wat Sam Phran – it will drop you off 4km from the temple, and from the bus stop you’ll need to get a taxi for the remaining 4km. If you do choose to do this option, you’ll want to have data so you can book a Grab taxi.
Wat Sam Phran Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
Wat Sam Phran temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
There is no entrance fee for Wat Sam Phran, but donations are appreciated so it’s always good to have some cash ready.
What Is There To See & Do At Wat Sam Phran?
The Dragon Tower:
The Dragon Tower is without a doubt the main reason why people come to visit the temple. The distinctive 17-story dusty pink cylindrical tower with a giant dragon sculpture spiralling around it is simply breath taking.
The dragon’s body serves as a staircase, and the dragon’s head is on the roof of the temple. To reach the rooftop, you walk the 17 storeys up the dragon’s body or take the elevator.
It takes around 10 minutes to climb the staircase to the top. It’s a great experience, but it does get quite hot!
The rooftop offers amazing panoramic views of the surrounding area and allows a closer look at the dragon’s head.
There are a couple of different spots up here to admire the 360 degree views. It is incredibly peaceful up there, and you can see the fusion of Thai architecture with Chinese influences.
There are also various shrines and prayer rooms inside the tower as you climb to the top.
What is fascinating is that many monks actually live inside this temple too – we were chatting to a couple of them and they were so lovely. What an incredible place to live!
The dragon is meant to symbolise the path to enlightenment, and it’s also believed that it protects the temple from evil spirits.
Temple Grounds:
Along with the Dragon Tower, there are also some more really beautiful and unique temples here that are definitely worth exploring.
From the roof of the Dragon Tower you can see them all: the large Buddha statue, the elephant statue, plus the temple that is in a giant turtle!
Once you’re down from the Dragon Tower, stroll around the rest of the grounds – everything is very close together and the temple grounds are really peaceful and quiet, making it a lovely place to explore.
There are lots of monks at the temple grounds praying, which gives a very calm atmosphere to the place. That being said, please be respectful. Keep noise to a minimum and avoid taking photos of people worshipping.
There are a few food stalls here if you fancy some food, or across the street there is a convenience store and a few basic restaurants.
When Is The Best Time to Visit Wat Sam Phran?
Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal to avoid the midday heat – Wat Sam Phran is almost in the jungle so it gets incredibly humid here!
Especially if you want to climb up the stairs in the dragon’s body, you’ll want to get here when the temperature is not at its maximum! Early mornings and late afternoons are also great for getting photos of the sun in the dragon’s mouth if you have a drone and time it right!
The great thing about this temple is that it doesn’t get busy as there are never many people here. Therefore, whatever time of day you visit – even if it is midday, you can enjoy it without crowds of tourists which is amazing!
You’ll probably want to spend an hour or two exploring the temple, so when you factor in travel time to and from Bangkok, a visit to Wat Sam Phran will take half a day. But it is so worth it!
Where To Get The Best Photos Of The Dragon Temple
If you have a drone, you’ll definitely want to bring it along to get some great photos of The Dragon Temple!
There are lots of electricity wires around the area, so be very careful if you’re flying your drone and make sure you abide by all the regulations.
If you don’t have a drone, no worries – you can still get great photos of the temple from down below! You can either get close up photos from the base of the temple to see the detail on the claws and scales of the dragon.
Or you can go further back a little bit to see it from a wider angle, and to get a photo of you with the temple. Near the Buddha statue is a good place to get photos of the Dragon Temple, or in the grassy area by the car park.
Dress Code & Behaviour At Wat Sam Phran
As with all temples in Thailand, visitors should dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered for both males and females.
It’s always best for females to just have a shawl handy in their bag, just in case they are not correctly dressed, then they can easily cover themselves.
There are no spare shawls you can borrow at Wat Sam Phran, so you’ll need to make sure you’re dressed appropriately before you arrive!
To enter the temple you’ll need to take off your shoes, so it’s a good idea to wear easy to remove shoes as well!
Other Unique Temples In Bangkok To Visit
Bangkok is full of temples, but if you’re looking for some other unique temples apart from the usual ones of Wat Pho, Wat Arun and The Grand Palace to spice up your Instagram feed, check out Wat Saket – a temple built on top of a man-made hill in Bangkok with stunning views of the city!
Or check out Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, home to Bangkok’s giant Big Gold Buddha that stands at an impressive 69 metres tall!
Alternatively, Wat Benchamabophit is a unique temple made of Italian marble, and Wat Suthat is home to the Giant Swing – one of the most famous symbols of Bangkok!
Summary
Wat Sam Phran is a stunning temple that offers a really unique experience for visitors. Admire or walk up the dragon-wrapped tower and enjoy the spectacular views from the top of the serene temple grounds.
Wat Sam Phran is definitely a great place to visit for those interested in exploring lesser-known but beautiful temples in Thailand.
Caterina McGrail is a Travel Writer and ex-Flight Attendant based in Australia. She has visited 85 countries and lived in several – including Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates and England. Her work has been featured in a variety of popular travel publications including Fodors, Escape, Australian Traveller and Bear Grylls, as well as several international aviation and travel companies. She only writes about places she has personally visited, and aims to give real, honest advice to help her readers.