Bangkok Day Six: Wat Samphran Dragon Temple and a Descent Through a Giant Dragon
Would you believe me if I told you we climbed down through the inside of a giant dragon in Bangkok? On our last day in Bangkok we turned our route toward one of the city's most unusual temples, Wat Samphran, also known as the Dragon Temple. From climbing to the top of a pink tower to descending through the body of a giant dragon, from a hotspot beloved by car enthusiasts to a film set in Chinatown, I want to share this final day with you along with transport and location details.
Getting to Wat Samphran: Cheaper Than the Metro With Bolt
Our trip there passed by with İbrahim Tatlıses playing in the background, taken via Bolt. Interestingly enough, it came out even cheaper than the metro. While public transport in Bangkok is usually the most economical option, if you're traveling as a small group or heading somewhere far from the center, apps like Bolt can sometimes turn out surprisingly affordable. Since Wat Samphran sits a bit outside the city center, this comfortable and cheap ride was a nice surprise to start the day.
First Impression: A Scene From an Old Kung Fu Movie
The moment we stepped into the temple, we felt as if we'd walked into one of those training scenes from old kung fu movies. The atmosphere was quite mystical. Of course, paying 80 baht per person at the entrance shifted the mysticism slightly toward tourist territory; but the view is absolutely worth it. You can think of this entrance fee as a donation, used for the upkeep of the temple.
Climbing to the Top of the 17-Storey Pink Tower
We took the elevator all the way to the top. It may not have been the tallest tower in Bangkok, but it was definitely the strangest tower I've ever climbed. This roughly 17-storey pink structure is wrapped on the outside by an enormous dragon. When you reach the top, the view of the city and the surrounding greenery greets you. Combined with the city's panorama and Bangkok's oppressive heat, it turned into an unforgettable experience.
Descending Through the Giant Dragon
After the experience, while looking for a way down, we found an entrance that looked like a cave. We later realized we were actually climbing down through the body of the giant dragon wrapped around the temple. This winding path inside the dragon is the very detail that makes Wat Samphran so special and photogenic. There aren't many places in the world where you get to walk down through the inside of a giant dragon.
6 Zero Garage & Roaster: A Hotspot for Car Enthusiasts
On our way out, we stopped by a café that's a favorite hangout for car enthusiasts. We got to see a range of beautiful vehicles up close while enjoying our coffee. 6 Zero Garage & Roaster is an ideal stop for a break after the temple visit, offering both a quality coffee break and eye-catching cars. If you love cars, don't miss this spot.
An Unexpected Film Set in Chinatown
In the evening, while wandering around Chinatown again, we stumbled upon a film set. We couldn't tell what was being shot, but it looked quite professional. And so we ended the last day of our Bangkok adventure by witnessing a film shoot. Bangkok's random, surprise-filled spirit stayed with us right up to the final day.
Locations
You can find the Google Maps locations of the two spots we visited throughout the day below:
- Wat Samphran (Dragon Temple): Google Maps location
- 6 Zero Garage & Roaster (café): Google Maps location
Final Thoughts
Our last day in Bangkok was full of surprises, just like the days before it. Climbing to the top of a pink tower, descending through a giant dragon, seeing impressive cars, and running into a film set... This city is truly a master at turning even an ordinary-looking day into an adventure.
Next week we're heading to Pattaya. Don't forget to follow along for the rest. I've left the locations of all the places we visited in my bio and in this post. Feel free to ask anything you're curious about in the comments. See you next time, take care!