The 79m-tall riverside temple with a porcelain-encrusted central prang — Bangkok's most photogenic temple and the city's spiritual icon.
Entry
Rp 90,000
Hours
08:00 - 18:00
Rating
★ 4.3
Location
Bangkok
Wat Arun ("Temple of Dawn") is on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River and visible from most of Bangkok's old town. Its central prang (spire) is 79 meters tall and decorated with colorful porcelain and seashells collected from Chinese trading ships.
The temple dates to the 17th century but the current prang was built during the reign of King Rama II (1809–1824). Climb the central prang for the best view in Bangkok (the stairs are steep — only attempt if reasonably fit).
Allow 1-1.5 hours. Tickets: 200 THB (includes a free bottle of water). Cross the river from Wat Pho for 4 THB on the Chao Phraya Express boat — a great way to combine with the Grand Palace in one day.
Don't miss
4 things to see & do
🗼
Central Prang (Spire)
79-meter tall central spire decorated with colorful porcelain and seashells collected from Chinese trading ships. Best viewed at sunset.
🪜
Climb to the Top
Steep narrow stairs lead to the 2nd terrace (about halfway up) — panoramic views of the Chao Phraya and Bangkok skyline. Not for mobility-impaired.
🏯
Four Surrounding Prangs
Four smaller prangs around the central one, each dedicated to a different Buddhist deity. Decorated with statues and floral patterns.
⛴️
Chao Phraya Ferry Crossing
Cross the river from Wat Pho for 4 THB — great sunset view of Wat Arun from the boat.
<p>Wat Arun existed as a small temple since the Ayutthaya period (14th century). It was transformed into its current form by <strong>King Rama II (1809-1824)</strong> and completed by King Rama III in the 1840s. The central prang (tower) stands 79 metres tall and is decorated with thousands of pieces of colourful Chinese porcelain and seashells embedded in the concrete.</p><p>The temple's full name, <em>Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan</em>, honours Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn.</p>
✨ The story behind
<p>According to legend, <strong>King Taksin</strong> arrived at this riverside temple at dawn in 1767 after escaping the fall of Ayutthaya, and vowed to build a great temple here. He renamed it Wat Chaeng (Temple of Dawn). The decoration is genuinely made from broken Chinese <em>ballast</em> — porcelain used to weight 19th-century trade ships returning from China.</p>
🏛️ Cultural significance
<p>Wat Arun appears on the <strong>10-baht coin</strong> and is the most-photographed temple in Bangkok, especially at sunrise and sunset when its porcelain decoration glows pink and gold. The temple's central prang represents Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain of Buddhist cosmology.</p>
⭐ Fun fact
"You can climb the central prang's steep steps (no railings, only a rope down the centre) for a vertigo-inducing view across the Chao Phraya River. The 79-metre prang is the only one in Thailand you can climb."
