The huge Buddhist complex Wat Yannasangvararam is located 20 kilometres south of Pattaya. It covers an area of about 145 hectares and consists of buildings of different architectural styles, shady gardens and a large lake, along the shore of which it is pleasant to walk and enjoy the views.
The first building that a visitor to Wat Yannasangvararam sees is Viharn Sien, a Chinese temple and museum with an excellent collection of Chinese antiques and religious objects.
The most interesting building of the Wat Yannasangvararam complex is considered to be the main temple, which is built in an unconventional style for local sacred buildings. In it you can see a copy of a footprint and many relics of Buddha.
Near the main temple there are buildings in Indian, Japanese, Chinese styles. In addition to pagodas, you can also see various monuments, such as King Prajadhipoku.
All visitors to the Buddhist complex must climb the hill, where a miniature chapel is built, hiding the footprint of the Buddha. Up there is a staircase consisting, as the guidebooks assure, of 300 steps. In fact, there are not so many steps. Buddhists believe that with each step they overcome, they leave behind one of their sins.
Wat Yannasangvararam Temple, which is abbreviated to Wat Yang, was built in 1976 in honour of Supreme Patriarch Somdey Phra Janasangworn, who was then the head of the Thai monastic order. The complex is now under the patronage of the Thai king.
The quiet and peaceful atmosphere of Wat Yannasangvararam lends itself to leisurely strolls. But during Thai public holidays, when locals from all over the area flock here, it is noisy and uncomfortable.
