Wat Arun Temple

Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand

Website: https://www.watarun1.com/

Hours: Daily 08:00-18:00

Admission: 200 THB (foreign visitors)

Wat Arun - the Temple of Dawn - is a Buddhist temple on the Thonburi (west) bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Its name comes from Aruna, the Hindu god of the dawn; its full name is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan.

The temple is famous for its central prang (spire), which rises about 70 metres and is intricately decorated with mosaics of coloured porcelain and seashells - much of it reworked from Chinese ceramic ballast carried by trading ships. Steep steps climb partway up the central tower, which is ringed by four smaller satellite prangs.

Although a temple has stood here since the Ayutthaya period, Wat Arun was greatly enlarged in the early 19th century under King Rama II and King Rama III. Today it is one of Bangkok’s most photographed sights - especially at sunset and after dark, when the spire is floodlit above the river.

Wat Arun stands on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River. The easiest way across is the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier beside Wat Pho - a short, cheap hop that runs throughout the day. Chao Phraya Express Boats and tourist river boats also stop nearby, and the MRT Blue Line (Itsaraphap station) is about a 15-minute walk from the temple.

• Come in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, then cross back to the east bank to see the illuminated prang from the river.
• Dress respectfully: shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the temple grounds (sarongs can be rented at the gate).
• Pair it with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, directly across the river, for a classic Bangkok temple day.
• The steps up the central prang are very steep - wear sensible shoes and use the handrails.

The cool, dry season from November to February is the most comfortable time to visit. For the best photographs, arrive in the late afternoon and stay through sunset, or view the floodlit spire from the opposite bank after dark. Early morning is quietest, before the tour groups and river cruises arrive.