Wat Boonyawad is located in the east of Chonburi Province, close to the border with Rayong Province. The land all around is given over to rubber and palm oil production, with rows of trees and frequent processing centres. The rural location makes for quite a long drive through mile upon mile of plantations, which also gives a strong sense of the wat's remoteness. The huge main ordination hall sits astride a lake; to the rear a road takes you to the chedi staircase which leads to the golden stupa. Once at the top, there is a clear view of the surrounding countryside in every direction. The wat is known as a place where people go for a retreat to practice meditation or become ordained. It is certainly serene!