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Wat Yansangwararam (Wat Yan), Pattaya

The white ordination hall of Wat Yansangwararam with a lotus mosaic gable, marble columns and palms
Photo: Mastertongapollo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free; donations welcome
Hours
Daily, roughly 8:00–17:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Dress code
Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off at the hall doors
Size
About 58.6 ha — parks, lakes, pavilions
Where
Huai Yai, ≈ 22 km south of central Pattaya
Nearby
Khao Chi Chan golden Buddha — 7 km; Viharn Sien museum next door
Coordinates
12.78890, 100.95810YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1976founded by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, Thailand's 19th Supreme Patriarch
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
1988Wat Yan became a first-class royal monastery
SourceRussian Wikipedia
58.6 hathe complex's area; it began with 16 ha of donated land
SourceRussian and English Wikipedia
Mahabodhithe grounds include a replica of the temple at Bodh Gaya in India
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
4 zonestemple, monks' quarters, lay meditators' quarters and an education centre
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
Meditationan important practice centre of the Dhammayuttika order
SourceEnglish Wikipedia
1999a memorial garden was laid out for King Bhumibol's parents
SourceRussian Wikipedia
≈ 22 kmfrom central Pattaya, about 25–30 minutes
SourceOSRM route

Opening hours, entry and rules

Entry is free, and you can leave a donation. According to guides, the monastery is open daily from about 8:00 to 17:00; a few sources give other hours. Come during the day.

This is a working monastery: cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off at the hall doors and keep your voice down. Many people come here to meditate — don't disturb them.

What is Wat Yan?

Wat Yan (in full, Wat Yansangwararam Woramahawihan) is a Buddhist monastery in Huai Yai, 22 km south of Pattaya. It was founded in 1976 by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, Thailand's 19th Supreme Patriarch, as a place for meditation. Since 1988 it has been a first-class royal monastery and an important centre of the Dhammayuttika order.

The complex began with 16 ha of donated land and now covers about 58.6 ha of lakes and parks. Most buildings are dedicated to kings and members of the royal family. There's a replica of India's Mahabodhi temple from Bodh Gaya, the Maha Chakri chedi, a scripture hall and pavilions in different national styles.

What to see

  • The Mahabodhi replica — a copy of the famous Bodh Gaya temple.
  • The Maha Chakri chedi — honouring the kings of the Chakri dynasty.
  • The ordination hall (ubosot) — white, with marble columns.
  • The Buddha footprint mondop — Phra Maha Mondop.
  • Pavilions in different styles around the lake.
  • The 1999 memorial garden.

How to get to Wat Yan

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From central Pattaya it's about 22 km south on Sukhumvit Road — 25–30 minutes by Bolt, Grab or taxi.
  2. From Khao Chi Chan it's about 7 km, 10–15 minutes.
  3. From Nong Nooch garden it's about 8 km.
  4. On a southern tour — with Khao Chi Chan and Nong Nooch.
  5. There's no convenient public transport — arrange waiting time with your driver.

How long do you need?

Allow 1–1.5 hours. It fits best into a half-day in the south: Nong Nooch in the morning, then Wat Yan, and finally the Khao Chi Chan golden Buddha.

It's noticeably quieter than the city temples: a place for a stroll and some calm rather than crowds.

Is Wat Yan worth visiting?

Yes, if you're heading to southern Pattaya: a free, quiet and beautiful monastery with unusual architecture and lakes.

The YesGo take: the buildings are far apart, and walking in the heat is tiring. It's worth a special trip from the centre only for temple lovers; for everyone else, pair it with Khao Chi Chan.

Before you go: checklist

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Pattaya temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Pattaya rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Sanctuary of Truth432 hday 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/35021.8 km
Pattaya Viewpoint4145 minFree17.9 km
Khao Chi Chan Buddha3030 minFree2.8 km
Wat Yansangwararamyou are here291 hFree—

Southern Pattaya in half a day

Nong Nooch garden in the morning, Wat Yan around midday, then the golden Buddha at Khao Chi Chan. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden3 h · from ≈ 500 baht, packages with shows cost more
  2. 60 min walk from the previous stopWat Yansangwararamyou are here1 h · free
  3. 49 min walk from the previous stopKhao Chi Chan Buddha30 min · free

3 places · about 6 h 19 min with walks · 109 min on foot in total

Go · my route

How to do it right

  • The best shot is the Mahabodhi replica from the lakeshore.
  • Mornings are cooler and quieter.
  • Ask your driver to drop you at the far pavilions.
  • Don't disturb meditators in the halls.
  • 7 km away: the Khao Chi Chan golden Buddha.

Questions

Is there an entrance fee at Wat Yan?

No, entry is free; donations are welcome.

What are Wat Yan's opening hours?

Daily, roughly 8:00 to 17:00 (according to guides).

What is the dress code?

Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off at the hall doors.

How do I get to Wat Yan?

About 22 km from central Pattaya — 25–30 minutes by taxi or Bolt.

When was the monastery founded?

In 1976; it has been a royal monastery since 1988.

What is there to see?

The Mahabodhi replica, the Maha Chakri chedi and pavilions by the lake.

How long do you need?

1–1.5 hours.

What's nearby?

The Khao Chi Chan golden Buddha, Nong Nooch garden and the Viharn Sien museum.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia — Wat Yansangwararam: founding, founder, zones, buildings, Mahabodhi replica
  • Russian Wikipedia — Wat Yansangwararam: area, royal status since 1988, memorial garden, distance from Pattaya
  • 2026 travel guides — hours, free entry, dress code (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q2552417 — coordinates; OSRM route — distances
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedHistory, founder, zones and buildings are from English Wikipedia; the 58.6 ha area, royal status from 1988 and the 1999 garden are from Russian Wikipedia. Most guides give 8:00–17:00, some 8:00–16:00, so hours are marked unconfirmed. Dedications to members of the royal family are mentioned neutrally, and historical wars aren't covered. Distances are OSRM routes: 22.1 km from central Pattaya (Wikipedia says 16 km, as the crow flies), 7.2 km from Khao Chi Chan and 7.8 km from Nong Nooch.

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