January 18, 2021, 4:39 am | Read time: 3 minutes
A gigantic dragon winds around the Wat Samphran temple, reaching a height of 80 meters. Yet, the place is hardly known to tourists–despite offering a truly spectacular surprise for visitors.
About 40 kilometers west of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, stands what is likely the most unusual temple in the country, if not the world, in the province of Nakhon Pathom. Its vibrant color and construction style are somewhat reminiscent of the quirky buildings by architect Hundertwasser, if it weren’t for one small, excuse me, very large detail–a massive dragon coils around the building, reaching up to 80 meters high.
Wat Samphran, “Temple of the Giant Dragon,” as the 17-story building is called by locals, according to the British newspaper Mirror. The temple incorporates elements from both Chinese and Thai culture and is dedicated to Buddhism. The dragon’s claws represent the tenets of the faith, and the Dragon Temple is 80 meters high because Buddha is said to have died at that age.
Climbing Inside the Dragon’s Belly
The most spectacular feature of this extraordinary structure: You can essentially climb the temple through the dragon’s belly, as the gigantic figure winding around the tower is hollow. However, according to various media reports, some sections of the dragon are now closed due to the risk of collapse–the temple’s construction was never completed, and visitors today report an impressive atmosphere but also gradual decay.
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Those who still manage to reach the top floor are rewarded with a breathtaking view and a sculpture called “Happiness,” as reported by Atlas Obscura. It was donated by the monk who had Wat Samphran built. Originally, monks were supposed to live here and engage in meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings, but today the temple is uninhabited.
Few Tourists So Far
It’s surprising that despite its spectacular architecture, the temple remains one of the lesser-known tourist attractions in the country, according to media reports, even with its proximity to the capital. There are reportedly no reliable public transportation connections to bring curious visitors to Wat Samphran. Those wishing to visit the Dragon Temple are best off taking a taxi.
On the portal Tripadvisor, there are relatively few reviews of the temple–but they sound promising: “Incredible, gigantic, fascinating,” writes one user. “An absolute must,” says another. A third even describes it as a “spiritual experience.” And there’s more good news: According to user reports, a round-trip taxi ride to the temple from the nearest bus station costs between 400-600 Baht–that’s just 11 to 16 euros.
Note: In almost all of Thailand, there is a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and it continues to be classified as a risk area. The Foreign Office currently advises against non-essential, tourist travel to Thailand (as of mid-January 2021).