Ultimate Guide to Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple Near Bangkok

If you are wondering whether Wat Sam Phran is worth a visit, then our opinion is a resounding yes! 

It’s not far from Bangkok, fairly easy to get to as well as being extremely unique compared to all of the other temples we have visited during our two months in Thailand.

And you will encounter a fraction of the tourists that you will find in other Buddhist Temples around Bangkok even having it all to yourself if you arrive early!

If you are looking for something a little different and much less busy, we highly recommend adding the Thailand Dragon Temple to your Bangkok itinerary. 

Wat Sam Phran is an 80-metre, 17-storey high rose pink tower.

A huge dark green dragon wraps itself around the tower from top to bottom, and the whole structure is dotted with little windows row upon row. 

Flags flying high at the very top of the incredible structure alongside the dragon head and the gardens are reminiscent of a mythical world with statues of elephants, turtles and white rabbits! 

When I first saw the photographs of Wat Samphran online, I was a little hesitant. 

I was concerned it may be a tourist trap and that it may feel a little inauthentic to visit. 

But that could not have been further from the truth. 

We have had some incredibly unique experiences in Thailand including riding the famous overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and exploring MANY hidden gems in Northern Thailand!

And yet, discovering Wat Sam Phran is among our top five of the most unique experiences!

In this guide, we will cover what it’s like to visit Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple, how you get to Wat Sam Phran from Bangkok, how long you need to spend there and how to get the best photos of this unique Buddhist Temple. 

How to get to Wat Sam Phran from Bangkok 

We had both seen drone footage online of a rose-coloured tower with a huge green dragon wrapped around it but had no idea where it was or how to get there. 

After googling “Which temple in Thailand has a dragon wrapped around it?” we finally discovered the unique and majestic Wat Sam Phran and the first thing we realised was that Wat Samphran is not in central Bangkok. 

It is located around 40km or 25 miles west of central Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom Province. 

You can find it here on Google Maps. 

Address: หมู่ที่ 7 92/8 Sam Phran, Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom 73110

Grab / Private Taxi 

By far the easiest way of getting from Wat Sam Phran to Bangkok is to get a grab. 

Grab is just another version of Uber and is widely used across many countries in Asia. 

We have used Grab for years when travelling and have always found it to be a reliable, safe, and very cost-effective way of travelling in Asia. 

You just download the app onto your phone, set up an account and then you can order a car online from and to anywhere. 

A grab to Wat Sam Phran costs 9GBP each way ($11.40 / 402THB) and takes about 45 minutes, and given the fact there is no entrance fee to the temple, we felt that even paying for a direct transfer wasn’t a huge cost to visit. 

When returning to Bangkok, you can call another Grab on the app, or you can ask your driver who brought you to the temple to wait for you for an agreed price until you are ready to return. 

We had no issues getting a grab back to Bangkok, but we have heard from a few other people that they had to wait a while for a driver.

So if you are short on time you may want to ask your driver to wait for you. 

Self Drive

If you have the correct licence and are confident driving motorbikes or scooters in Thailand, then you can hire a bike for around £5 ($6.30 / 222THB) per day. So this may be a good option to get to and from Wat Sam Phran. 

If like us you do not have a motorbike licence you can hire a car for around £12-15 ($15-$19 / 530-671THB) a day.

We chose to hire a car for over three weeks to travel to Northern Thailand and found it to be an affordable option that gave us a lot of freedom so we would recommend it if your budget allows.

Do not miss some of the hidden gems you can discover in the North!

Public Transport 

There are no direct and easy public transport options to get to and from Wat Sam Phran from Bangkok, and that is most likely why it’s not overrun with visitors! 

That said, if you are on a tight budget, some options may work out cheaper than paying for a Grab, but most include a very lengthy and less-than-simple journey. 

Public transport options involve getting a bus or train combined with a taxi journey to get you to the gates and can take up to 2 hours or more each way. 

I have listed below two of the easiest options via public transport

1. To get to Wat Sam Phran from Bangkok by bus and taxi –  take the number 84 bus from Bang Wa to Wat Sam Phran. (cost is around 25bhat or 55p / $0.69) The bus will drop you around 4-5kms from the temple and you can then hail a taxi or order a grab on the app to take you the rest of the journey. 
2. Public Vans run from Bangkok’s Pata Pinklao shopping centre and return from the Academy next door to the temple. 

It’s important to note that public transport routes change, so be sure to check with your hotel or bus stations to see if these options are still available when you travel yourself. 

What is the Wat Sam Phran Entrance Fee?

There is no entrance fee to visit Wat Samphran Dragon Temple but a donation may be requested when you enter the rose-pink tower and before you head up inside the belly of the dragon.

There is no information on how much you should donate so just donate what you feel comfortable with.

We donated 100THB (£2.20 / $2.80) as we didn’t have much cash with us, but the lady who guided us up to the tunnel entrance seemed very happy with that amount.

So take some coins or smaller notes with you if you wish to go inside the tower, and we highly recommend you do this as it is quite a surreal experience! 

What are the Wat Sam Phran opening hours?

There was mixed information online when we tried to determine what time Wat Samphran opens, but we can confirm that the gates are open from 6 am until 5.30 pm on weekends.

It seems that they open much later during the week, at 9 am.  

So if you are heading to Wat Sam Phran for photography like us, especially if you have a drone, then we recommend you try to visit at the weekend to capture golden hour, which is the best time to take photographs.

It’s also important to note that the Dragon Temple Tower did not open until 8 am during our visit.

But there are quite a few things to see and do aside from the tower so we still recommend arriving early.

What is the Best Time of Day to Visit Wat Sam Phran Temple?

If you are visiting Wat Samphran for photography, then we highly recommend arriving early morning.

Not only because you will have the best light conditions but also because we found it to be extremely quiet in the morning. 

We arrived at 6 am and made our way inside the grounds at around 7 am after flying the drone.  

It was so quiet. There were no other tourists at all until about 8 am when two others arrived. 

How long do I need at Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple?

This depends on why you are visiting the temple. If you want to just have a look around then you could easily explore everything in an hour. 

But If you are visiting for travel photography, then allow a decent chunk of time to explore and set up in various spots. 

We spent 3 hours here flying the drone, exploring the grounds and taking photographs and we could have easily spent a little longer. 

Can you go inside the body of the dragon at Wat Sam Phran?

Yes you can go inside the body of the dragon! But remember to bring some cash to make a donation, which goes towards the maintenance of the tower and cost of electricity inside (there are lights and fans running the whole time!). 

Whether or not the body of the dragon is open to tourists was another topic we were unable to get clarity on when researching online. 

But we were granted admission inside the tower and up inside the belly of the dragon at 8 am on a Saturday.

We read online that sometimes the body of the dragon is closed during weekdays due to monks praying, but we cannot confirm this given that we visited on a Saturday.  If entering the body of the dragon is important to you then we would suggest visiting at the weekend to be sure!

What to expect when visiting Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple?

Wat Sam Phran is a very unique temple and not just because of the huge dragon wrapped around the rose-pink tower. 

There are other statues inside the grounds such as a giant turtle you walk inside of, a life-sized elephant and the entirety of the footpaths around the grounds are decorated with hands and feet imprinted into the cement in the ground. 

They explained what there was to see on the grounds, even using Google translate on their mobile phones to give us more information, and we felt very welcome and humbled to be greeted so personally. 

What is there to see during a visit to Wat Samphran Dragon Temple? 

There are so many things to see around the Dragon Temple and Wat Sam Phran grounds and we found it tricky to navigate. Had we not had the assistance of the devotees, we would have missed a few things and would not have gotten quite so many Wat Sam Phran photos! 

The Gardens of Wat Sam Phran

If you pay attention you will notice lots of little statutes and decorative pieces as you explore the grounds of Wat Samphran. 

Carved dragon heads, small fish statues, scriptures and signs and a beautiful bridge surrounded by a little river. 

The Giant Elephant Statue

This is difficult to miss! It’s huge! You even walk underneath its belly to find your way to the next part of the gardens. 

The large Golden Buddha Statue

If one of the friendly devotees had not pointed us in the direction of the large white building, then I think we would have missed this! It did feel a little hidden!

You need to take your shoes off before going up the stairs and it’s about three storeys up.

It then opens up to a large pavilion-type area with a giant golden Buddha statue which is so impressive! 

It was quite a peaceful experience being there so early on as aside from a few others lighting incense and praying and the birds fluttering around; we were the only people there. 

Don’t forget to go inside the temple building to the right of the Buddha which is decorated beautifully with intricately painted ceilings and the most stunning Buddha statues and carved doors. 

The Dragon Tower

Walking inside the belly of the Dragon Temple barefoot was quite a surreal experience! 

Solid cement inside with plug-in wall fans to keep you cool, and small signs are hanging above you as you spiral your way upwards, one for each level. 

Despite it being 17 storeys, we found it very doable to reach the top, and it only took around ten minutes. 

Upon reaching the top of the tower, you will discover three more platforms. 

There are signs to keep quiet whilst exploring these platforms, and if you arrive early, you may find, like us, you have them all to yourselves.

At the very top level, you will come face to face with the head of the dragon, which is rather incredible, and you can even touch the dragon’s chin and make a wish! 

The view from the top is also noteworthy, as you can see for miles around. 

The Giant Golden statue at the entrance to the Wat Sam Phran grounds

If you look right in the car park, you will see a huge golden statue atop a small pavilion. 

We were in such a rush to get back to the city that we forgot to walk over and explore it, but it looked beautiful, so we recommend you check it out if time permits. 

Practical Information for Visiting Wat Sam Phran Temple

• One of the most important things to mention is that you do not need a guide to enter and explore the grounds of Wat Samphran. You can walk around freely and in your own time. 

• Be mindful that Wat Sam Phran is home to several monks and devotees so dress and act respectfully when visiting.

• There are toilets on the grounds of Wat Sam Phran that you can use but they are basic, so do take toilet tissue with you. 

• If you feel thirsty or hungry during your visit then don’t panic, you will pass one or two very friendly vendors at the entrance selling snacks and drinks. 

• Bring small notes or coins for snacks, drinks and your donation.

What is the Dress Code for Wat Sam Phran Temple?

Wat Samphran does not have signs informing you of a dress code like many more popular Bangkok temples do. 

But we always ensure when travelling that we respect culture and customs and so we dress modestly as we would for any Temple.

Ensure that you cover your knees and shoulders and, if at all possible, avoid shorts to be safe and opt for trousers. 

If you do not have a t-shirt to cover your shoulders, then bring a scarf or pashmina to throw around them.  

Temple Etiquette at Wat Sam Phran 

In addition to ensuring you are dressed appropriately when visiting Wat Samphran, we have included some general pointers to ensure you remain respectful during your visit and do not cause offences to monks and other visitors. 

If you are planning on visiting other Southeast Asian countries as well as Thailand, such as Laos and Cambodia, then these helpful tips will apply when visiting temples there, too.

• Ensure you keep noise to a minimum. Monks may be praying or meditating as you explore the grounds, so it is polite to remain mindful of this so you do not cause a disturbance. 

• Remove your shoes before entering the temple buildings. Removing your shoes when entering a building such as someone’s home is a very common practice in Thailand and shoes should always be removed before entering any temple. 

• Ensure you do not point your feet towards any Buddha statues when sitting down. This is seen as a sign of disrespect. Ensure you are kneeling or your feet are pointed behind you and away from Buddha. 

• Be mindful when you are taking photographs inside Wat Sam Phran that you are not invading the privacy of monks or devotees. Always remain discreet and respectful. Although, as travel photographers, we love capturing those intimate moments, we are always mindful of whether we feel it’s appropriate in that moment before we take a shot. 

Can you fly a drone at Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple?

Photography tips for visiting Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple

As photographers, the main draw for us was being able to fly our DJI Mavic 3 here and capture this epic temple’s sheer size and grandeur! 

That said, if you don’t have a drone but enjoy visiting places a little off the beaten path, then we still recommend visiting Wat Sam Phran.

We also really love this shot of the Golden Buddha statue that we captured with our camera. So there are still a few shots to be had without the use of a drone. 

• When flying the drone, be sure to keep a safe distance from the temple and be mindful of where you are taking off and landing from and whether this might disturb others. We recommend doing this from the car park away from the temple itself.

• We recommend visiting Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple at the weekend since it opens at 6 am rather than 9 am on weekdays. This ensures you are arrive for golden hour and visit when it’s quiet. 

• If you visit after rainfall you may be as lucky and find a puddle on the pavilion where the Golden Buddha statue is. This made for a perfect reflection for photography. 

• Take some time to walk the grounds and explore the many vantage points of the tower. Using windows or archways to frame the tower makes for an interesting perspective.
  
• Consider taking a compact camera to level up your photos. A compact camera is perfect for travel. It’s light to carry and miles better than phone photos for capturing those epic views.

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Wat Sam Phran Temple History

There is not much known about Wat Sam Phran’s history online, but it is confirmed that Wat Sam Phran temple was established in 1985, so relatively recent as far as some of the Bangkok Temples are concerned. 

The date of the build seems to be unknown and we couldn’t find information on this. 

We did, however, discover that the Dragon Temple was built at 80 metres high, as Buddha was said to have died when he was aged 80, and that the large green dragon wrapped around the tower represents happiness to sorrow or heaven to hell.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Wat Sam Phran 

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Wat Samphran from Bangkok and found it a welcome respite from the usual crowds found on the busy tourist track. 

Wat Sam Phran seems to be a hidden gem barely frequented by the many tourists flocking to Thailand but in our opinion, it’s worthy of a trip. 

Not only for its unique structures and gardens but also due to the warm welcome we experienced when exploring

where to go after bangkok?

Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand!

Northern Thailand has so many hidden gems and is full of incredible photography spots with a fraction of the crowds you get anywhere else in Thailand.

If you have the time be sure to book yourself a ticket on the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

From there we recommend Hiring a car or a scooter and heading off on a road trip to tick off some of the below locations!

• The Floating Pagodas in Lampang – An incredible temple perched on top of a mountain that glistens for miles around – 1 hour and 30 minutes from Chiang Mai.

• Phu Chi Fa National Park – Epic mountain ranges with a stunning blanket of fog at sunrise that makes for incredible views and amazing photographs – 4 hours 30 minutes from Chiang Mai

• Doi Mae Salong – A mountain village nestled on the border of Thailand and Myanmar and home to lush tea plantations and majestic temples and no other tourists at all! – 4 hours and 20 minutes

• Doi Inthanon National Park – One of the most popular day trips from Chiang Mai and worthy of exploring for a few days due to its powerful waterfalls and unique hikes with friendly local Hill Tribe villagers! – 1 hour and 30 minutes from Chiang Mai. It is full of hidden gems and beauty spots with a fraction of the usual crowds.

Don’t forget Insurance for your Trip to Thailand!

We would go as far as to say there is nothing more important than insurance when you are travelling, and medical cover is up there as the most important of them all! 

We use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance for our travel insurance and have no hesitation in recommending them for your own travels! 

We pay just 48 USDpp – per month and after shopping around, found them to be the cheapest long-term travel insurance out there!

It’s also super important that we can renew or purchase whilst outside of our home country. 

We have had personal experience of filing a claim and dealing with them as an organisation. We found the claims process to be simple, straight forward and the payout was very quick! 

Don’t just take our word for it, check out their score on Trust Pilot here!