Wang Sam Sien
Dedicated to the Chinese deity Guan Yu, this free-entry temple combines Buddhist and Taoist spiritual traditions, making it a culturally distinctive site among Pattaya's religious landmarks. Situated beside the famous Big Buddha, it draws visitors interested in Chinese imperial history and worship traditions, with multilingual captions explaining the stories of Chinese emperors and warlords displayed throughout the grounds. The elevated setting also offers views over Pattaya, adding a scenic dimension to the cultural visit.
Visitors consistently describe the atmosphere as calm, clean, and uncrowded — noticeably quieter than the neighbouring Big Buddha site. The temple is an active place of worship that attracts both devotees and curious travellers, and the open grounds provide enough space to move around comfortably without feeling rushed. Its blend of Chinese spiritual iconography and Buddhist temple architecture gives it a character distinct from the more commonly visited Thai-style temples in the region.
Book tours & tickets in Pattaya
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wang Sam Sien — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wang Sam Sien, round out your day in Pattaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
As usual, I am avoiding posting images of worship statues as much as possible. This place is an important place for the Chinese, not just taoist. It's free to visit so do drop by too on your trip to wat phra yai. It's my second time visit and glad to see this place well maintained. Plenty of parking spaces outside.
I'm not religious, but it's a very nice place.. temples are beautiful. Must visit if you are in Pattaya.. right beside the big Buddha. Not many people when I came, much quieter than the Buddha place.
Although a relatively smaller temple it’s dedicated to Chinese Guan Yu, the courageous! There is a lot of history about the Chinese emperors and warlords. The story is a multilingual and captions on the many illustrations on the walls. Several other places with deities for worship, scenes from historical or mythical tales and serene ponds and gardens. Further up the hill is the Big Buddha so don’t stop your walk here!
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 143 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Pattaya
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya Camp 1
You'll leave covered in mud, elephant saliva and probably worse, and that's the whole point.
Pattaya Walking Street
Loud, neon, adults-only after dark, and the seafood is easier before the 9pm crush.
Nongnooch Pattaya Garden
Half a day minimum, 500 acres of themed gardens and dinosaurs, and you'll want to be there by 8am.
Central Pattaya
A big air-conditioned mall on Beach Road where the food court does the heavy lifting.
Wang Sam Sien: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wang Sam Sien worth visiting?
Wang Sam Sien holds a 4.4★ rating from 143 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Pattaya.
When is the best time to visit Wang Sam Sien?
The best months to visit Pattaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – October (rainy, rough seas).
Where is Wang Sam Sien located?
Wang Sam Sien is at WV89+M97, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand, in Pattaya. Getting around Pattaya: Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes); Grab (widely available).
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: June – October (rainy, rough seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
Minibus from Suvarnabhumi Airport (~1.5 hrs). Bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal Ekkamai (~2 hrs). No direct train.
Getting around
- •Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes)
- •Grab (widely available)
- •Motorbike taxis
- •Ferry to Koh Larn island
Where to stay near Wang Sam Sien
Find hotels in Pattaya on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Nearby Places
Chaloem Phra Kiat Park
A hilly, shaded park on the slopes of Big Buddha Hill, popular with joggers, locals, and wildlife.
Wat Phra Yai
Free to enter, easy stairs, and a hilltop view over the city that's worth the trip up alone.
Mahakali Temple
A working Hindu shrine to the goddess Kali, and a very different kind of quiet from Pattaya's Buddhist temples.
Khao Phra Bat Pattaya
A hilltop temple offering panoramic views of Pattaya Bay, free to enter and open daily until 6pm.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.
Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
The Grand Palace
Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.
Wat Arun
Porcelain-covered spires best seen late afternoon, and yes, the midday heat on those grounds is brutal.
Where to stay near Wang Sam Sien
Find hotels in Pattaya on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: June – October (rainy, rough seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January
Getting there
Minibus from Suvarnabhumi Airport (~1.5 hrs). Bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal Ekkamai (~2 hrs). No direct train.
Getting around
- •Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes)
- •Grab (widely available)
- •Motorbike taxis
- •Ferry to Koh Larn island