Explore a Pink Temple With a Dragon Coiled Around it in Thailand
A striking pink, 17-story Buddhist temple in Khlong Mai, Thailand, with a green and gold dragon coiled around its exterior, is a surprisingly obscure destination. The design for Wat Samphran—otherwise known as the Dragon Temple—came to a member of the Bhavana Buddho sect during an extended fasting meditation. The dragon, whose face looks towards the sky, represents the human spiritual journey from base sorrow to transcendent joy. Much of the dragon’s interior is a hollow concrete tunnel, which visitors can traverse to reach the top of the Dragon Temple.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Wat Samphran welcomes visitors daily. Despite its unique exterior, the Dragon Temple is not widely featured in guidebooks and remains relatively unknown to most travelers. There is no admission fee, but several donation boxes are available for visitors to offer contributions to the Buddhist monks who live and meditate at the temple.
The Dragon Temple’s interior features several Buddha statues, columns with Buddhist words of wisdom, and a sculpture of a tree symbolizing abundance, spiritual growth, and happiness. Visitors can write their name on a red ribbon adorned with marigolds and deposit it in a golden tray on the temple’s roof for good luck.
Visitors can climb to the top of the Dragon Temple for a stunning bird’s-eye view of Khlong Mai. They can also stand face-to-face with the dragon’s gaping mouth, touch its beard, and make a secret wish that, according to the monks of Wat Samphran, almost always comes true. The temple’s roof also houses several sacred spots where prayers for peace, prosperity, and happiness can be offered for oneself and loved ones.
Climbing to the top of the Dragon Temple is somewhat arduous. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and have a snack handy to stay hydrated as you approach the dragon’s beard. Thankfully, several food carts selling snacks and beverages are located outside the temple.
One of the Dragon Temple’s most striking features is the dragon’s five outstretched claws, symbolizing the Five Precepts of Buddhism. Wat Samphran is an ornate, colorful temple, created with tremendous thoughtfulness and care. Regardless of your religious beliefs, a visit to the Dragon Temple is likely to leave you feeling uplifted, renewed, and relieved that the dragon beard you touched for good luck did not belong to an actual fire-breathing dragon.
Address:
Khlong Mai, 73110
Thailand
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Wat Sam Phran (Wat Samphran), 92 Sam Phran, Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom 73110, Thailand (OSM worship-site point; not a tower entrance)
- Coordinates
- 13.73497, 100.21498
- Access
- Wat Sam Phran is an active Buddhist temple, not a conventional attraction; dress modestly and follow worshippers’ and staff instructions. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says only selected floors of the dragon-wrapped tower are open, and upper access can change. Do not assume the full staircase or roof is open; check on arrival. Lak Song MRT is about an hour away by taxi according to the TAT listing; a June 2026 visitor account describes taking bus 84 partway and using a taxi or ride-hail for the last leg.
- Admission
- No fixed entrance tariff is published on the Tourism Authority of Thailand listing. Recent independent reports describe free grounds entry with voluntary donations, while other visitor reports mention a small donation or charge for entering the tower. The previously listed THB 200 was incorrect and has been removed. Confirm any current contribution or tower fee at the temple; carry small cash.
- Time needed
- Allow about 1–2 hours on site as a planning estimate from recent visitor guides, not an official duration. Time depends on which tower levels are open; allow extra time to explore the active temple grounds.
- Best season
- No temple-specific season is published. Thailand’s government tourism portal describes October–January as the best general visiting period for Central Thailand; this is regional weather guidance, not a temple recommendation. The site can be visited year-round when open.
- Opening hours
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Japan office lists weekdays 09:00–17:00 and weekends 06:00–18:00; another current listing gives 06:00–18:00 daily. Because the published schedules conflict, confirm hours directly with the temple before travel. Some tower levels can have separate access or closures.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-13
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-21
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