Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is the best of the cultural things to do in Chinatown, Bangkok’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple. Built in 1846, the temple’s design is unmistakably Chinese. The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings at the entrance are particularly impressive, though the main Buddha statue in the ordination hall is also impressive.
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat represents a unique fusion where Chinese Mahayana Buddhist traditions operate within Thailand’s official temple framework. Originally founded in 1871 as Wat Leng Noei Yi by Chinese monk Phra Archan Chin Wang Samathiwat, the temple received its current Thai name, meaning “Dragon Lotus Temple”, from King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who formally recognised it within Thailand’s Buddhist temple system. The “Wat” designation indicates state endorsement and grants the temple official status as a Buddhist sacred precinct, even though its architecture, rituals, and religious practices remain distinctly Chinese rather than Thai Theravada traditions.
The temple exemplifies Thailand’s inclusive approach to religious diversity, where “Wat” has evolved beyond strictly Thai Buddhism to encompass any place of worship except mosques and synagogues. Built in classic Chinese architectural style with sweeping tiled roofs decorated with dragons and animal motifs, the temple houses Mahayana Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian deities, including the Four Heavenly Kings and Guan Yin pavilions. This architectural distinction from typical Thai temples with their pointed spires and golden Buddhas reflects the temple’s role as Bangkok’s largest Chinese Buddhist centre, serving the Thai-Chinese community while maintaining official recognition within Thailand’s religious institutional structure.
Effectively, the religious and cultural heart of the area, it hosts several major events throughout the year, such as the Chinese New Year and the famous Vegetarian Festival.
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Willy Thuan is the founder of Phuket 101. After travelling through 40+ countries and working with Club Med and Expedia, he settled in Phuket in 1994. He shares real travel insights and original photography from across Thailand.View Author posts
