Wat Arun

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Wat Pho. Its central prang — a tall, Khmer-style tower — is covered in pieces of coloured Chinese porcelain and shells arranged into flowers, which glitter in the sun. From across the river it's Bangkok's most famous silhouette.

The trick is to see it twice: up close in the afternoon, then from the other bank as the sun goes down.

Getting there

Wat Arun is easiest to reach by water:

1. Take the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai, or the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier.
2. From Tha Tien, take the cross-river ferry. It runs constantly and takes a few minutes.
3. The ferry lands right by the temple.

Coming back, the same ferry returns you to Tha Tien, beside Wat Pho.

What to see up close

• The central prang. Look closely at the decoration: whole flowers made of broken porcelain, many from ballast brought by Chinese trading ships. Visitors can climb only part of the way, and the steps are very steep.
• The four smaller prangs at the corners, and the figures supporting the tower's terraces.
• The ordination hall (ubosot) with its Buddha image and murals, often overlooked.
• The riverside terrace for a view back across to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.

When to go

• Afternoon for the visit itself: the light on the porcelain is good and the morning crowds have thinned.
• Sunset from the other side. The prang faces east, so the sun sets behind it as seen from the Tha Tien side, turning it into a silhouette before the floodlights come on.

Where to watch Wat Arun at sunset

• The riverfront by Tha Tien pier — free, and the view everyone photographs.
• Riverside restaurants and rooftop terraces around Tha Tien and Maharaj — several have direct views across to the temple. Reserve a table near the edge if you can.
• From the river itself — a dinner cruise or the public boat passes the temple as it lights up. See Bangkok dinner cruises.

Dress code

Shoulders and knees covered, as at all Bangkok temples. Wraps are sometimes available near the entrance, but bring your own.

How long to spend

Forty-five minutes to an hour for the temple, plus however long you want for sunset across the river.

Combining Wat Arun

The classic day: the Grand Palace at opening, lunch, Wat Pho, then the ferry to Wat Arun and back for sunset. It's day 1 of our 3-day itinerary.

For the river itself, see our Chao Phraya River guide.