Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn
A porcelain-encrusted prang on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, best seen from the water as the light drops.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is a 70-metre porcelain-encrusted prang on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Visit in the late afternoon and cross by the five-baht ferry from Tha Tien.
Open Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn in Google Maps13.7437, 100.4889
Cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier, THB 5
Entry fee checked against operator or park publication, October 2026. Hours can change without notice — confirm on the day.
A porcelain-encrusted prang on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, best seen from the water as the light drops.
The temple existed before Bangkok and was restored by Rama II, who decorated the prang with broken Chinese porcelain used as ballast by trading ships. The name refers to Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn, though sunset is when it looks best from the opposite bank.
The silhouette is the best-known in Bangkok, and the climb up the central prang gives you a view straight back across the river to the Grand Palace. Sunset from a boat is the postcard.
What you’ll actually see
- The central prang, covered in floral mosaics made from Chinese ceramics
- The steep climb to the middle terrace and the river view back
- Two flanking prangs dedicated to the god of wind and the god of rain
- Longtail boats crossing at dusk
How to visit it well
- Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier — it costs a few baht.
- The stairs are steep; the middle terrace is enough for the view.
- Combine with Wat Pho in one afternoon, then eat on the Tha Tien side.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Arriving at noon for flat light and full sun
- Wearing a skirt or shorts that fail the dress code at the top
Is it worth it?
Worth an hour, especially as the second half of a Wat Pho afternoon. The view from the river is the photograph; the climb is optional.
Common questions
Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin, the Chao Phraya Express to Tha Tien, then the cross-river ferry — about five baht and two minutes.
You can climb to the middle terrace. The top level is closed to visitors, and the steps are very steep.
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Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Tom Whitfield