# Wat Yansangwararam (Wat Yan), Pattaya > Wat Yan (Wat Yansangwararam) is a large Buddhist monastery among lakes and parks 22 km south of Pattaya, founded in 1976 and a royal temple since 1988. Its 58 ha hold a replica of India's Mahabodhi temple and pavilions in Thai, Chinese and other styles. Entry is free and it's open roughly 8:00–17:00. Cover shoulders and knees. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/wat-yansangwararam - City: [Pattaya](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya), Thailand - YesGo score: 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free; donations welcome - Hours: Daily, roughly 8:00–17:00 - 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, 100.95810 - Facts checked: 08.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1976** — founded by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, Thailand's 19th Supreme Patriarch (source: English Wikipedia) - **1988** — Wat Yan became a first-class royal monastery (source: Russian Wikipedia) - **58.6 ha** — the complex's area; it began with 16 ha of donated land (source: Russian and English Wikipedia) - **Mahabodhi** — the grounds include a replica of the temple at Bodh Gaya in India (source: English Wikipedia) - **4 zones** — temple, monks' quarters, lay meditators' quarters and an education centre (source: English Wikipedia) - **Meditation** — an important practice centre of the Dhammayuttika order (source: English Wikipedia) - **1999** — a memorial garden was laid out for King Bhumibol's parents (source: Russian Wikipedia) - **≈ 22 km** — from central Pattaya, about 25–30 minutes (source: OSRM 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. > **The grounds are big** The buildings are spread around a park and lakes, several hundred metres apart. If you came by taxi, ask the driver to drop you at the far pavilions. Bring water and a hat — there's little shade on the paths. Come in the morning, before the heat. ## 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 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 - [ ] Shoulders and knees covered - [ ] Shoes that slip off easily - [ ] Water and a hat - [ ] A taxi that waits - [ ] Same day: Khao Chi Chan and Nong Nooch ## Pattaya temples: compare and choose Temples and shrines in Pattaya rated by YesGo. - [Sanctuary of Truth](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/sanctuary-of-truth) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · day 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350 - [Pattaya Viewpoint](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/pattaya-viewpoint) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free - [Khao Chi Chan Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/khao-chi-chan) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free - [Wat Yansangwararam](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/wat-yansangwararam) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free ## 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 Garden](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/nong-nooch) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · from ≈ 500 baht, packages with shows cost more 2. [Wat Yansangwararam](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/wat-yansangwararam) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free 3. [Khao Chi Chan Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/khao-chi-chan) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free ## Good to know Wat Yan is the monastery near Pattaya. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and other similarly named temples are in Ayutthaya. The Viharn Sien museum next door is a separate site with its own entry. ## Tips - 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](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/khao-chi-chan). ## 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. ## How we checked History, 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. ## Sources - 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 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. 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