Wat Sam Phran, also known as the Dragon Temple, is a 17-storey Buddhist temple in Nakhon Pathom, around 40 km from Bangkok. It’s famous for the giant dragon wrapped around its red tower, which visitors can climb from the inside.
For me, visiting Wat Sam Phran was one of those experiences that reminded me why it’s worth getting beyond Thailand’s usual tourist trail. It’s not the most famous or perfectly restored temple you’ll visit in Thailand, but it is definitely one of the most unusual and photogenic places I’ve seen. If you’re planning a visit, this guide covers everything you need to know about Wat Sam Phran: how to get there from Bangkok, how much it costs, what to wear, what you can see inside and a few tips I wish I’d known before going.
Wat Sam Phran: Practical Tips Before You Visit
Location: Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, around 40 km from central Bangkok. It’s far enough to feel like a little escape from the city, but close enough to visit as a half-day trip.
Opening hours: Usually opens from 7am to 6pm; but better if you visit not as early because they take their time to open.
Dress code: Even though the Dragon Temple can feel a little like a quirky tourist attraction, it’s still a Buddhist temple. You’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees, and see-through clothing isn’t appropriate. I’d also recommend wearing something that’s easy to take on and off your feet, because you’ll need to go barefoot in parts of the temple.
Photography tip: If you’ve seen photos online of a pink Dragon Temple, don’t be surprised when you arrive and find a bright red building instead. The temple has been repainted since many of those older photos were taken. For me, the best spot to photograph the entire dragon was from the Buddha area.
And if you have a drone, bring it! We asked the temple staff where we could fly it from and they pointed us towards an appropriate spot. The view from above is gorgeous.
>You can save all these tips easily from this Instagram post.
Is Wat Sam Phran Worth Visiting from Bangkok?
If you have more than three days in Bangkok, or you’ve already visited the city’s main attractions, I’d definitely consider adding Wat Sam Phran to your itinerary. Just don’t go expecting luxury or perfectly restored buildings. The charm of Wat Sam Phran is that it feels surreal, slightly quirky and completely different from the typical Bangkok temple experience. And honestly, that’s exactly why I loved it.
How to Get to Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple from Bangkok
Wat Sam Phran is around 40 km from central Bangkok, in Nakhon Pathom Province. It isn’t somewhere you can simply hop off the metro and walk to, but that’s also part of what makes it feel a little more off the beaten path.
There are a few ways to get there:
- Taxi or Grab: This is definitely the easiest and most comfortable option. From central Bangkok, we found that the journey could cost around 400–600 THB (roughly 10 to 16 EUR), although prices can vary depending on traffic, demand and where you’re travelling from.
Allow around 90 minutes for the journey, but keep in mind that Bangkok traffic can make a huge difference. - Rent a Motorbike: Renting a motorbike gives you much more flexibility and means you can explore other places around Nakhon Pathom without relying on taxis or waiting for transport.
You can find bikes from around 300 THB (~8 EUR), but I’d only recommend this if you’re genuinely experienced riding in Thailand. Bangkok traffic is chaotic, and motorbikes weave through pretty much everywhere. - Bus + Grab: The Budget-Friendly Option! If you’re travelling on a budget, this was the option we chose. From Lak Song BTS station, we took bus 84 for around 30 THB (80 cents) to the final stop. From there, we ordered a Grab to the temple, which cost us around 60–70 THB (roughly 1.7 EUR).
One important tip: try to go relatively early. There aren’t always many Grab drivers around this area, so getting a ride back can take a little patience.
Lak Song is already quite far from central Bangkok, so we took the BTS to get there. All up, between getting there, visiting the temple and returning to Bangkok, we spent around half a day. It took considerably longer than taking a taxi, but we spent less than 5 EUR per person for the return trip.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Wat Sam Phran?
I had read that entry was free and that donations were encouraged. When we visited, however, we were asked to contribute 80 THB (2.10 EUR) to access the temple and the route up through the dragon.
As soon as you arrive at the temple grounds, you may also be invited to write your family name and the names of people you’d like to make a wish or prayer for on a red ribbon. You’re given a little flower bracelet to accompany your wish, and there’s a donation box at this point too.
Just be aware that there are several opportunities to make donations around the temple before you reach the area where you pay for access. You don’t necessarily need to contribute every time, so don’t feel pressured if you’re not comfortable doing so.
Can You Climb Inside the Dragon at Wat Sam Phran?
Yes, and this is probably the coolest part of visiting Wat Sam Phran! You can actually walk inside the giant dragon, basically travelling through its belly as the structure winds around the tower. The tunnel takes you upwards towards the higher levels, and from the top you get panoramic views across the surrounding area.
When we visited, the contribution we paid was specifically connected to accessing this part of the temple. There were also people working around the site who explained some of the traditions, how to visit respectfully and how the route worked.
What Else Is There to See at Wat Sam Phran?
The giant dragon-covered tower is obviously the star of the show, but there’s more to explore around the temple grounds.
- Giant elephant sculptures surrounded by greenery, creating a peaceful spot for a wander and, naturally, plenty of photos.
- A temple with a large golden Buddha, which creates a beautiful contrast with the red Dragon Tower.
- Murals and graffiti-style artwork, with a mix of modern and spiritual elements that give the grounds a really unusual atmosphere.
The best thing is that you can see all of this as part of the same visit, without needing to turn it into a full-day excursion. I’d allow at least a couple of hours so you can actually enjoy the temple without rushing from one photo spot to the next.
Extra Tip: What to Do Around Wat Sam Phran and Nakhon Pathom
If you have a little more time, you can easily turn your trip to the Dragon Temple into a bigger Nakhon Pathom day out.
There are some seriously beautiful cafés and restaurants around the area, many of them designed around rivers, gardens and tropical greenery. They’re the kind of places where you sit down for “just one coffee” and suddenly realise you’ve been there for three hours. I have two saved that look absolutely gorgeous:
Both look like a dream for taking photos and relaxing after visiting the temple, but there are plenty of other cafés around Nakhon Pathom too. Many of them make the most of the river and surrounding greenery to create a really dreamy atmosphere.
If you’re planning to visit, I’d try to go on a weekday if you can. At weekends, these places can get busy with locals coming to take photos too, so you might even find yourself waiting for a table or a photo spot.
And if you want to add another relaxed activity to your Bangkok itinerary, you could book an afternoon Boat Canal Cruise and see some of the city’s most iconic temples and hidden corners from the water.
Final Thoughts: Should You Visit Wat Sam Phran?
Visiting Wat Sam Phran was one of those experiences that reminded me why I love travelling: hidden places, a little bit of magic, and destinations that most people don’t even know exist.
If you’re staying in Bangkok and want to do something a little different from the usual temples and tourist attractions, I think the Dragon Temple is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
If you enjoyed this guide, you can read more about my adventures around Thailand!
You can also follow me on Instagram and YouTube to see my travels in real time, or subscribe to my newsletter for travel tips and stories that don’t always make it onto the blog.
💡 Note: Some articles on the blog contain affiliate links, for example to hotels or tours. This means that if you book through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this project and helping me keep travelling and sharing more incredible places with you!
Guadi.
