Wat Arun

วัดอรุณราชวราราม

A roughly 70-meter-tall porcelain-tiled main prang on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Named after the Sino-Thai King Taksin, it offers Bangkok's most iconic night view when lit up, seen from across the river.

Wat Arun, formally known as Wat Arun Ratchawararam, or the Temple of Dawn, sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi district. It takes its name from King Taksin, a Sino-Thai king who made it his capital in the 18th century. The main prang was completed during the reigns of Rama II and Rama III. It stands about 70 meters tall (some sources say 82 meters) and represents Mount Meru. Its surface is decorated with hundreds of thousands of pieces of Chinese porcelain and seashells, and four smaller prangs and yaksha guardian statues surround it. It is one of Bangkok's most recognizable landmarks. You can climb steep steps to the middle terrace of the main prang for views of the Chao Phraya River and of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho across the river. Admission for foreigners is 200 baht, which includes a bottle of water. Best time to photograph: Visit during the day by taking the 5-baht ferry from Tha Tien Pier beside Wat Pho. After sunset, the main prang is illuminated from about 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The best views are from riverside restaurants or bars on the opposite bank, such as Eagle Nest and Sala Rattanakosin, and you can also see it from a Chao Phraya River night cruise. Renting Thai costumes for photos has become popular in recent years, costing about 200 to 300 baht. Getting there: Take the ferry from Tha Tien Pier, or walk 10 minutes from Itsaraphap MRT station. Tips: The steps are steep and narrow, so wear non-slip shoes when climbing the temple. Long trousers and sleeves are required. The Thai costume photo spots get crowded, so the early morning is the quietest time.

Wat Arun

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