A slower side of Pattaya
Wat Yansangwararam — Wat Yan, for short — is a large royal temple in the countryside south of Pattaya, near Huai Yai. Its name honours a late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and the royal connection shows in the scale and care of the grounds. Rather than one building, it is a spread of them across lawns and around a lake: Thai halls, a Chinese-style pavilion and other buildings designed in the styles of different countries, each a short walk from the next.
That calm is the reason to go. After a few days of beach chairs and busy streets, an afternoon of open sky, still water and very little noise can feel like a different country. It is also a working temple, so you may see monks and local families making merit; keep voices low and follow their lead.
Making the most of a few hours there
From most Pattaya and Jomtien hotels this is a short local ride, well under an hour. Because the grounds are big and the buildings far apart, give yourself a couple of hours on site, and go in the morning or late afternoon when the heat eases. There is no need to see everything: pick the three or four buildings that catch your eye from the lakeside, walk between them slowly, and leave the rest for another visit.
- Dress for a temple: shoulders and knees covered, shoes that slip off easily
- Bring water and a hat — much of the walk is out in the open
- Viharn Sian, the museum of Chinese art and culture, is close by if you want a second stop
- Khao Chi Chan, the Buddha image etched into a hillside, is in the same part of the countryside
Building a whole day around the temple
A van Pattaya to Wat Yansangwararam ride is priced for the whole vehicle, tolls and fuel included, and the fixed price is confirmed in chat before the trip. There is no deposit; you pay the driver in cash at the end. The Toyota Commuter carries up to nine, so friends and family can come along on one booking, and smaller cars are available for couples. Tell us your pick-up time and how long you plan to stay, and the price confirmed in chat will cover exactly that.
The temple pairs well with other sights south of the city — Khao Chi Chan, the vineyard and lakes nearby, or Nong Nooch Garden. If you want the driver to wait at each stop and take you round, that becomes a multi-stop day and is priced in chat before you go; you can lay out the stops yourself on our trip planner. For a simple van Pattaya to Wat Yansangwararam visit and back, just send us the time and your hotel.