The Dragon Lotus Temple
Bangkok's largest Chinese temple.
K.Phothiwijit — CC BY-SA 3.0 · This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · กสิณธร ราชโอรส — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · กสิณธร ราชโอรส — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bangkok's largest and most important Chinese temple, in the heart of Chinatown on Charoen Krung Road. A Chinese monk founded it in 1871; the Chinese know it as Leng Noei Yi, the Dragon Lotus Temple, and King Chulalongkorn gave it its Thai name with the same meaning. It follows Mahayana Buddhism, common in China, unlike most temples in Thailand. A dragon-decorated gate opens onto courtyards full of incense smoke and murmured prayer, and halls with red and gold roofs house the three great Buddhas, the four heavenly guardian kings and popular Chinese deities whom people ask for health and fortune. It is packed at Chinese New Year and during the autumn Vegetarian Festival, when it becomes the centre of the district's celebrations. Entry is free and the temple opens from early morning until about evening. Visitors are welcome as long as they respect the worshippers: do not stand in front of someone praying, keep your voice down, and dress modestly. The halls can be crowded and narrow, so watch out for burning candles and incense. The easiest way there is the Blue Line metro to Wat Mangkon station, steps away. Pair it with a walk through Chinatown and Yaowarat Road, known for seafood, and look out for the district's known halal restaurants if you want to eat there.
Bangkok's largest Chinese temple.
Guardians of the front hall.
For festivals and Chinese New Year.
Charoen Krung Road, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Bangkok
Yaowarat (Chinatown)The main artery of Bangkok's Chinatown and the Chinese community's trading centr3 minutes walk
Wat Traimit and the Golden BuddhaA temple at the edge of Bangkok's Chinatown, famous for its Golden Buddha, rough9 minutes walk
Wat Saket and the Golden MountA steep artificial hill crowned by a gleaming golden stupa, known as the Golden 15 minutes walk
Wat Suthat and the Giant SwingOne of Bangkok's first-class royal temples, begun by King Rama I in 1807, with K16 minutes walk
Pak Khlong Talat Flower MarketBangkok's main flower market, along Chak Phet Road and side streets near Memoria17 minutes walkAt Chinese New Year and during the autumn Vegetarian Festival, when it fills with worshippers and celebrations.