If you’ve done your research on Instagram, you’ll know there is a famous and very impressive temple in Bangkok. Tall and pink with a mammoth dragon wrapped around the building, the Wat Sam Phran (as it is officially known) is one of the coolest, and in my experience, unique temples you’ll find in Asia. But how do you find this Instagram famous Dragon Temple in Bangkok and what about getting a photo if you’re not travelling with a drone? Read on to find out more.
Suggested read: How to find the Instagrammable Big Buddha viewpoint in Bangkok
Where is the Dragon Temple in Bangkok?
Wat Sam Phran is found on the western outskirts of Bangkok. Due to its location it can be difficult to get to via public transport so your options may be limited to driving yourself or going via a taxi. I ordered a taxi via the app Bolt and it cost me 936 baht for the return journey (approximately $39AUD or £21). I did travel in the late afternoon and coming back was slightly more expensive (perhaps due to peak hour). Therefore, it can be pricey to visit the Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple in Bangkok, but I didn’t regret spending the money as I found it very impressive.
You can find the exact location of Wat Sam Phran on Google Maps here.
What is it like when you arrive at the Dragon Temple in Bangkok?
My taxi pulled into the large carpark and I got out and walked over. When I visited there was no charge (although I didn’t enter the building, just walked around the outside). It was quite quiet there and while there were a few visitors and vloggers, to me it definitely was not a major tourist attraction (probably due to its distance from Bangkok).
Where to find the best photo spot of the Dragon Temple in Bangkok?
There is no doubt that the best photo spot of the Dragon Temple in Bangkok is with a drone. These are the images you’ll have seen on Instagram that truly show off how impressive this temple is. However, I, like a lot of people, don’t have a drone (I can’t physically carry it as hand luggage as I am already travelling about 3kg over my hand luggage limit – it’s been fun). As a result of not having a drone, I almost didn’t come to Wat Sam Phran because part of me thought ‘what’s the point?’ However, I’m glad I still went and thankfully there is a spot where you can get a pretty good photo of the Bangkok Dragon Temple without a drone.
The photo spot without a drone:
If you’re visiting the Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple in Bangkok without a drone but still want to get a good photo, on arrival after crossing the entrance (the red undercover area that is pictured above), instead of turning left to walk to the temple, turn slightly to your right. Here you’ll be able to see a wide pathway and if you look back you’ll get a pretty good view of the dragon wrapped around the temple and the best bit is that the dragon head on top of the building is visible and facing towards you.
While you’re here make sure you explore the Bangkok dragon temple up close because as you can see in my earlier photos, it is very impressive up close as well as far away.
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