Temple of Dawn
The porcelain-covered prang of Wat Arun on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, opposite Wat Pho.
At a glance
Its prang, finished in 1851, is covered in fragments of Chinese porcelain and seashells that once served as ballast on trading ships.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, across from the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. A temple already stood here in the Ayutthaya period; King Taksin made it the royal temple of his new capital, and it held the Emerald Buddha until 1785. Its central prang, a tower that represents Mount Meru, was begun under Rama II and completed in 1851 under Rama III, and is surrounded by four smaller prangs.
The towers are decorated with pieces of coloured porcelain and shells, set into the plaster as flowers, figures and patterns, which can only be appreciated from close up. Steep steps lead to the terraces of the central prang, with views over the river and the old city. Next to the towers stands the ordination hall, guarded by two demon figures from the Ramakien.
For cruise passengers berthed at Laem Chabang, about 120 km away, Wat Arun is usually combined with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho: from Tha Tien pier, beside Wat Pho, a small ferry crosses the river in a few minutes. The visit itself takes about an hour, and the temple is also one of the classic sights of any boat trip on the Chao Phraya.
Getting there from the port
5 optionsYour day in port
Example: call at Laem Chabang from 07:00 to 19:00, all aboard at 18:30.
- 07:30Ashore and on the roadLeave the terminal by excursion coach, transfer or taxi to Tha Tien pier, about two hours away.
- 09:45Wat PhoStart with the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, next to the pier (separate ticket).
- 11:00Across the riverTake the ferry from Tha Tien to Wat Arun and visit the prang, its terraces and the ordination hall.
- 12:15Back to Tha TienReturn by ferry and have lunch near the pier or the riverside park, with views of Wat Arun.
- 13:15Grand Palace or the riverWalk ten minutes to the Grand Palace (last tickets at 15:30) or take a short trip on the express boat.
- 15:00Back to Laem ChabangLeave Bangkok early to allow for traffic and be on board by 17:30.
What to see
- 1Central prangThe Khmer-style tower, between 67 and 86 m high depending on the source, covered in porcelain and shells and crowned with a trident.
- 2Porcelain decorationFlowers and figures made from broken Chinese ceramics; the restoration of 2013 to 2017 replaced many of the tiles.
- 3TerracesSteep steps climb to the lower terraces of the prang, with views over the Chao Phraya, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
- 4Guardian figuresDemons, monkeys and Chinese soldiers support and protect the prang; Indra on the three-headed elephant Erawan appears on the upper levels.
- 5Ordination hallThe ubosot, with a Buddha image said to have been designed by Rama II and two giant guardians at the entrance.
- 6View from the riverThe prang seen from the water or from the riverside park at Tha Tien, especially in the late afternoon.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Dress for a templeWat Arun is an active royal temple: cover shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes in the ordination hall.
- Mind the stepsThe steps of the prang are very steep and narrow; use the handrails and avoid climbing in sandals or when they are wet.
- Combine it with Wat PhoThe cross-river ferry leaves from Tha Tien pier, a two-minute walk from Wat Pho, so the two temples fit easily into the same morning.
- Go earlyThere is little shade around the prang. Mid-morning, before the heat and the tour groups, is the best time on a cruise day.
- Carry small changeKeep a few coins for the ferry and cash in baht for the ticket.
Accessibility & families
The courtyards around the prang are flat, but the terraces are reached only by very steep steps, so wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility can see the towers only from ground level; the ferry piers have steps and gangways. Children enjoy the visit, but they should be held by the hand on the steps of the prang.
In pictures
