Na Ja Temple in Pattaya: dragons, panoramas, and the legend of wealth

Description and is it worth visiting

Na Ja Temple (full name – Na Jasa Tai Chue Shrine, also known as Thep Sathit Phra Kiti Chalerm) is a grand Chinese Buddhist temple located in the Ang Sila area, about 50 km from Pattaya. It's one of the brightest and most unusual attractions in the region, often included in tour routes.

The temple impresses with its scale and rich decoration. The main building consists of four levels, and you can go up to the top and walk out onto the balcony that runs around the perimeter – offering picturesque views of the surroundings. The architecture is quite different from traditional Thai temples with golden pagodas and sloping roofs: there's an incredible number of dragons – they say there are over 2,840 images and statues of them. This place is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful and richly decorated temples not only near Pattaya but in all of Thailand.

It holds great significance for the Chinese community. Legend has it that there used to be a small wooden provincial temple in a fishing village on this spot. Word spread among local Chinese that it brings wealth – and soon a flow of worshippers and donations poured in. These funds were used to build the modern majestic complex. The expansion project was even coordinated with the royal family, though it doesn't have royal status.

We visited Na Ja Temple and filmed a video for you so you can see the scale, the hundreds of dragons on the facades, and the panorama from the upper tier with your own eyes.

The complex grounds include several buildings. The main prayer hall is a four-level structure, inside which you can see many statues of Chinese saints, altars, and of course, dragons. The interiors amaze with their detail and vibrant colors. On the upper level, there's a balcony with a great view of the surroundings.

There's no strict dress code for visiting, but we recommend respecting the faith and not showing up in overly revealing clothing, with bare shoulders or mini-skirts. Plan at least 30 minutes for exploring the temple, and if you're combining it with other attractions in this direction (Heaven and Hell Temple, temple with a glass bridge, Khao Kheow zoo), it's better to set aside a full day.

Is it worth going specifically? Na Ja Temple is truly an impressive place, one of the top sights around Pattaya. If you've already seen the main city attractions and want to see something unusual and grand – it's definitely worth coming. However, due to the distance (over 50 km from Pattaya), we recommend combining it with other points on the route so you don't spend half a day just on the road. In our opinion, the temple is definitely worth the attention and leaves a very vivid impression.