Wat Yan temple in Pattaya - better to see nearby Phra Mondop

Wat Yan (the full name is Wat Yansangwararam or Wat Yan Sangwararam, but more often it is abbreviated as Wat Yan) is a large, one of the largest in Thailand, temple complex located south of Pattaya, about 20 km from its center. The complex with many buildings, ponds, fountains, park and forest occupies a huge area.

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Wat Yan in Pattaya

The temple complex Wat Yansangwararam was founded in 1976. Since 1982, Wat Yan has been under the special patronage of the king, as evidenced by the royal monogram at the entrance to the temple with the foot of the Buddha, and ceremonial sculptures of monarchs and bronze statues of King Bhumibol Adulyadei along with his mother are installed on the territory..

The king is said to have donated more than 270 million baht for the construction of the complex. Wat Yan is also an important center of Theravada, one of the Buddhist schools. Monks live on the territory, meditations are held in the morning and in the evening, so this is more of a monastery.

The buildings on the territory are built in different architectural styles: there is a mondop in the Khmer style, a stupa (or chedi), typical Thai-looking structures, Chinese gazebos and even a Swiss chalet by the lake. And the largest temple visible from afar is made in the Hindu style..

Wat Yan inside is something like an exhibition of modern art on the theme of Buddhism. There you can also see the figures of monks made of wax. They look pretty impressive - almost like living.

In the neighboring white chedi (stupa) or Phra Borommathat Chedi Maha Chakkri Phiphat), parts of the relics of the Buddha and some of his disciples are kept, and the interiors are decorated with paintings. On the ground floor there is a spacious hall with a Buddha, from there you can climb a circular staircase to a very small hall with golden walls, where the relic is kept. You cannot take pictures there, this is being monitored.

Figures of monks

Wat Yan or Wat Yansangwararam

Wat Yan or Wat Yansangwararam

Modern interiors with installations inside

Installation at Wat Yan Temple

Stupa on the territory of the Wat Yan complex

Inside the stupa

At the entrance to Wat Yan, there will first be a lake on the right; on its shore you can see several picturesque pavilions in Chinese and Thai styles. You can also feed the fish in the water there. Now they look neglected, but still pretty.

If you go further, on the left there will be a pond completely covered with beautiful pink lotuses. Further on the territory here and there are scattered fountains, flower beds, gazebos, ponds. You can walk for hours, admiring nature and enjoying the privacy. Unless of course you coincide with the Chinese tourist groups. They are usually brought to Wat Yan during the day. Also, therefore, it is better to choose morning or evening. To be able to enjoy the silence.

Bridge over the lotus pond

Sculptures and paths on the territory of the temple complex

Monument to monarchs on the territory of the temple complex

Pavilion pavilions on the shore of the pond next to the temple complex

Gazebo and mountain of the Golden Buddha in the distance

Descent to the lake from the gazebos

For Buddhists, this is, of course, a special place. Therefore, when arriving at Wat Yan, it is better to dress appropriately so that your shoulders and legs are covered. There is a lot of greenery on the territory, but still, in clear weather during the day, you can get burned out of habit, so it is better to choose morning or evening for a walk..

In addition to religious buildings, there is also a school, a hospital and stations for the care and breeding of endangered wild animals..

On the territory, as elsewhere in Thailand, there are many cafes where you can have a snack. There are toilets. At the very entrance, near the parking lot, there is something like a gift shop. There, organized excursion groups get into electric trams. The territory is very large and it is rather difficult to get around it all..

Yellow electric car for tourist groups

Green and well-groomed area around the temples

Phra Mondop Temple

One of the main relics of the complex - «Buddha foot print» is located in the Phra Mondop temple on a hill, to which there are 300 (so they say, he himself did not count). From there, beautiful views of the picturesque green surroundings, the lake, the mountains and the silhouette of Pattaya on the horizon open up. It was this temple, or rather its location on the hill, that impressed me the most. Panorama, lack of tourists - everything, as I like. I may not be right, but I would go to this area for Chinese temple and for Phra Mondop, but not for Wat Yan.

To climb to the foot of the Buddha, you must first walk from Wat Yan quite far along an asphalt road through the forest (by car / bike there quickly), and only then overcome those same 300 steps. They start right next to the parking lot, it's hard to miss.

The guides say that climbing the stairs cleanses and adds to karma in every possible way, and if you count the steps to ascend and descend and back there are fewer of them, then the pilgrimage was not in vain. There you can also make a wish and ring the bells to fulfill them. Quiet and calm place, there were literally a couple of farangs with me and that's it. The temple itself was closed.

Phra Mondop Temple with Buddha's foot print

Staircase to Phra Mondop Temple

Phra Mondop Temple

View of Pattaya and the territory of the temple complex from the Phra Mondop temple

It is also more convenient to climb to the temple with the Buddha's foot, on the mountain, not in the heat. In the morning, the stairs are in the shade of trees, and in the evening the sun is already low and you can see a nice sunset from the top of the hill..

Information to visit

Working hours: from 8:00 to 17:00

Entrance fee: free

How to get there

Wat Yan complex is located south of Pattaya and next to Mountain of the Golden Buddha, vineyards Silver Lake and a temple-museum Viharna Sien.

You can get to Wat Yan by your own transport, taxi, as part of an excursion or partly by public transport: you need to go along Sukhumvit on a white tuk-tuk for 20 baht towards Sattahib, turn left, follow the sign to Greta farm and Wat Yan and catch a taxi that will take you to the temple in 10 minutes.

On the map

Wat Yan temple

Wat Yan temple
The temple complex - Wat Yansangvararam with a large beautiful area and many buildings in different architectural styles - Indian, Chinese, Thai. On the territory of the complex, in addition to gazebos by the lake, greenery and various temple buildings, there is also a footprint of Buddha on the mountain, a staircase leads to it.
More details

The temple complex - Wat Yansangvararam with a large beautiful area and many buildings in different architectural styles - Indian, Chinese, Thai. On the territory of the complex, in addition to gazebos by the lake, greenery and various temple buildings, there is also a footprint of the Buddha on the mountain, a staircase leads to it. More details

Phra Mondop Temple

Phra Mondop Temple
Temple on the territory of Wat Yan. IMHO it is more attractive, given its location on a hill with a view.
More details.

Temple on the territory of Wat Yan. IMHO it is more attractive considering its location on a hill with a view..

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