Striking 17-storey pink cylindrical tower with a gigantic green dragon, coiled around it. Visitors can climb the hollow body of the dragon, emerging near the creature’s head at the top of the tower. Wat Samphran (also known as the Dragon Temple) sits about 40 km west of Bangkok. Officially registered in 1985, the temple is famous for its highly unusual, 80-metre-tall structure. The height is said to symbolise the 80 years of the Buddha’s life, while the 17 floors represent heavenly realms. The dragon itself is interpreted as the journey from sorrow to happiness, or from hell to heaven. The surrounding gardens also feature oversized animals sculptures emerging from the forest. The overall effect is highly surreal, especially when the site is quiet. Climbing inside the dragon feels like moving through a threshold between ordinary reality and something more mythical.
Key features include:
- The massive dragon coiled from base to summit
- A hollow interior running through the dragon’s body
- Large Buddha statues and numerous smaller shrines
- Surrounding gardens with oversized animal sculptures (elephants, rabbits, tigers, etc.)
Photo Credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wat-sam-phran-temple-in-bangkok-at-sunset-27087180/ , https://www.pexels.com/photo/dragon-sculpture-wraps-building-in-bangkok-31075853/ , https://www.pexels.com/photo/wat-samphran-dragon-temple-in-bangkok-thailand-31075854/ , https://www.inthailand.travel/wat-samphran-temple-of-the-dragon/ , Tripadvisor
