Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus Temple)

Temple in Bangkok

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chainwit.

Previously, and still commonly known as Wat Leng Noei Yi, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is Bangkok’s largest and most prominent Chinese Buddhist temple. The name “Dragon Lotus Temple” was later granted by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Established as a Mahayana Buddhist shrine around 1871 or 1872 (accounts vary), the temple is a stunning example of traditional Chinese architecture. Its sweeping tiled roofs, adorned with intricate animal and floral motifs—most notably the iconic dragons—exemplify its cultural heritage. Within the ordination hall (ubosot), the temple’s principal gold-colored Buddha image combines Thai and Chinese artistic influences, flanked by an altar used for ceremonies.

As you enter the sermon hall (viharn), statues of the four celestial guardians, known as Chatulokkaban, stand in warrior regalia, two on either side of the entrance. The temple grounds are dotted with shrines dedicated to Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian deities and revered figures. Towards the rear, three pavilions honor Guan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion; the temple’s founder, Phra Archan Chin Wang Samathiwat; and the saint Lak Chao. A nearby gallery features gilded Buddha statues in the double Abhaya Mudra pose.

The courtyard in front of the main temple contains additional shrines, including a furnace for burning paper offerings in tribute to ancestors. Worshipers often light incense sticks here and tend to the eternal altar lamps. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat comes alive during festive occasions, especially during Chinese New Year (January or February) and the vegetarian festival (September or October), drawing crowds for spiritual and cultural celebrations.

The Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus Temple) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bangkok!

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