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    Wat Arun

    วัดอรุณราชวราราม

    4.7100 THB1–1.5 hours
    Photo by Anantachai Saothong on Unsplash
    Overview

    The iconic 'Temple of Dawn' on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, famous for its towering prang encrusted with millions of colorful porcelain tiles that sparkle in the sunlight.

    Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is one of Bangkok's most recognizable landmarks and one of Thailand's most beautiful temples. The temple's central prang (tower) rises 70 meters above the Chao Phraya River's west bank, its entire surface encrusted with fragments of Chinese porcelain and colorful faience tiles that create a breathtaking mosaic effect at any time of day. Despite its name, the temple is particularly beautiful at sunset when the setting sun bathes the tower in warm golden light.
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    What to know before you go

    • Wat Arun's history dates to the Ayutthaya period, but the temple as it stands today was largely constructed during the reign of King Rama II and III in the early 19th century. The prang (Khmer-style tower) was built using Chinese porcelain brought to Bangkok as ballast in trading ships.
    • The central prang is flanked by four smaller satellite prangs and can be climbed (via very steep steps) for panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok's skyline. The temple complex also includes several Buddhist viharas, a Chinese-style bot, and beautifully crafted guardian figures.
    • The most picturesque view of Wat Arun is from the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River, particularly at sunset and after dark when the tower is illuminated. Ferries cross the river from the Wang Lang pier and Tha Tien pier every few minutes.
    Good to know

    Culture, safety & access

    Culture & etiquette
    Crowd: Moderate; sunset visits tend to be the busiest.Best season: November to February for the best weather.

    This is an active Buddhist temple; behave respectfully and dress modestly.

    Safety & health

    Be very cautious on the steep prang stairway, especially when wet.

    Weather

    Rain can make the prang stairs extremely slippery; avoid climbing in wet conditions.

    Accessibility

    The river crossing by ferry involves some steps; the prang has extremely steep stairs.

    Dress Code

    Cover shoulders and knees. Sarong loans available at the entrance.

    Safety Notes

    The prang steps are very steep and narrow; use the handrails and take care descending.