Religious site · Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok

Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn, whose porcelain-studded central prang rises over the west bank of the Chao Phraya

Ambient sound · similar settingBuddhist temple bell tolling at Chōmei-ji

Photo: Anantachai Saothong (@thisismanta) / Unsplash

Discover Wat Arun

Wat Arun Ratchawararam takes its name from Aruna, the Indian god of dawn, and is widely known as the Temple of Dawn. Its centrepiece is a Khmer-style prang, a tall tower rising in steep tiers, surrounded by four smaller prangs at the corners. Sources disagree on its exact height, but it is well over 60 metres, and every surface is covered in floral patterns made from coloured glass, seashells and broken pieces of porcelain, some of which are said to have arrived in Bangkok as ballast on ships from China.

Seen from the river or from the rooftop bars across the water, the prang is most dramatic in the late afternoon and after dark, when it is floodlit. Up close, visitors can climb part of the way up its steep steps for views across the Chao Phraya to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, and look closely at the demons, monkeys and deities that appear to hold up each tier.

Don’t miss

01The central prang and its porcelain mosaic decoration
02Views across the Chao Phraya from the prang's upper terraces
03Guardian demon figures at the gates of the ordination hall
04The temple floodlit at night from the opposite bank
05The short cross-river ferry ride from Tha Tien

History & culture

The story of Wat Arun

A temple stood here in the Ayutthaya period, when it was known as Wat Makok. After Ayutthaya fell in 1767, King Taksin made Thonburi his capital and renamed the temple Wat Chaeng; according to tradition he arrived at dawn and vowed to restore it. The Emerald Buddha was kept here until 1785, when it was moved across the river to the new royal temple at the Grand Palace.

King Rama II restored the temple and began plans to raise the central prang, and the work was carried out under King Rama III, with the tower completed around 1851. The temple remains a royal monastery and is the destination of the royal barge procession that the king has made on some occasions at the end of Buddhist Lent to present new robes to the monks.

Local life & traditions

The Thonburi side of the river is quieter and more residential than the old royal quarter opposite, with wooden houses along narrow canals, local markets and family-run noodle shops. Long-tail boats leave from nearby piers for trips into the khlongs, which give a glimpse of the waterside life that once defined Bangkok.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most people arrive by the small ferry from Tha Tien pier beside Wat Pho, spend an hour exploring the prang and the courtyards, and climb as far as the terraces allow. Stalls near the entrance rent traditional Thai costume for photographs, and cover-ups are available for those not dressed modestly. In the evening many visitors return to the east bank to watch the sun go down behind the temple from the riverside.

When to go

Bangkok's cool season, from roughly November to February, brings the most comfortable temperatures and the least rain, and is also the busiest time for visitors. The hot season peaks around April, and the rainy season runs from about mid-May to October, when afternoon downpours are common but rarely last all day. Early morning is the quietest time to visit; late afternoon and dusk are best for views of the prang from the river.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Getting there: Take a Chao Phraya river boat from Sathorn (Saphan Taksin) pier to pier 8 (Tha Tien), then the shuttle ferry across the river. Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗
Dress code: Dress modestly; cover-ups can be rented near the entrance. Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗
Time needed: Allow at least an hour; early morning is the least crowded time. Source: amazingthailand.com.au ↗

Checked against the sources on 29 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Check current opening hours and the entry fee on arrival, as published figures vary.
The steps on the prang are very steep; use the handrail and wear shoes with grip.
Visit early in the morning for fewer crowds, or watch the sunset over the temple from the east bank.
Keep small change for the cross-river ferry.
Shoulders and knees should be covered, and shoes removed in the ordination hall.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Wat Arun: food, markets & places to stay

Wat Pho and the Grand Palace stand directly across the river and are reached by the ferry from Tha Tien. On the Thonburi side, the Royal Barges National Museum and the canals of Bangkok Yai and Bangkok Noi are a short boat or taxi ride away, and the Chinatown district of Yaowarat is a few stops downriver.

Wat Arun & what’s nearby

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Wat Arun in pictures

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 29 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) — Tourism Authority of Thailand (Amazing Thailand)
Wat Arun — Wikipedia
Bangkok — Tourism Authority of Thailand (Amazing Thailand)

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