Wat Arun Ratchawararam is a Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam is a Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand.
You will see a temple famous for its central prang, or spire, which reaches 70 meters high. The temple is known as the Temple of Dawn, named after the Hindu god Aruṇa, who is personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Its architectural design is a fusion of Indian influences. You can view the temple’s reflection in the Chao Phraya River, an effect that is particularly noted during sunset.
King Taksin established the temple’s significance after the destruction of Ayuthaya. He discovered a small local shrine on this site and interpreted it as an auspicious sign to establish the new capital of Siam here. The temple’s full name is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan.
The address is 158 Thanon Wang Doem in Bangkok. The temple is located in the Thonburi area on the west bank of the river. Visitors often take a boat across the Chao Phraya River to reach it. The site has a 4.6 out of 5 rating.
Last modified April 5, 2026
Wat Arun Ratchawararam is a Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand.
You will see a temple famous for its central prang, or spire, which reaches 70 meters high. The temple is known as the Temple of Dawn, named after the Hindu god Aruṇa, who is personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Its architectural design is a fusion of Indian influences. You can view the temple’s reflection in the Chao Phraya River, an effect that is particularly noted during sunset.
King Taksin established the temple’s significance after the destruction of Ayuthaya. He discovered a small local shrine on this site and interpreted it as an auspicious sign to establish the new capital of Siam here. The temple’s full name is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan.
The address is 158 Thanon Wang Doem in Bangkok. The temple is located in the Thonburi area on the west bank of the river. Visitors often take a boat across the Chao Phraya River to reach it. The site has a 4.6 out of 5 rating.
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Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan rises from the western bank of the Chao Phraya River like something out of a dream. This Buddhist temple—better known as the Temple of Dawn—absolutely stands out among Bangkok’s endless parade of wats.
Its central spire, decked out in a crazy patchwork of porcelain shards and old seashells, catches the light in a way that feels almost otherworldly. These bits and pieces? They once rode in as ballast on Chinese trading ships.
Most people stick to the east bank, chasing the usual sights, but if you take the plunge and cross the river, you’ll get hit with one of Bangkok’s most jaw-dropping architectural moments. The temple sits right in the heart of the Bangkok Yai district, and the ferry ride over costs next to nothing.
Your visit can feel totally different depending on the hour. Early morning, the porcelain glows; by sunset, the whole temple turns golden.
Admission’s 200 baht for foreigners as of 2024. If you’re feeling brave, you can climb the steep stairs up the main prang and snag a river view that’ll make you see Bangkok in a whole new way.
This Buddhist temple stands tall on the west bank of the Chao Phraya in Bangkok Yai, with a central prang that’s hard to miss—about 70 meters up, right above the river. It’s named for Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn, and has been one of Thailand’s most sacred spots for generations.
Wat Arun’s story goes way back. There was a humble shrine here during the Ayutthaya period, but everything changed after King Taksin arrived at dawn in 1768, fleeing the ruins of Ayutthaya.
He set up his new capital in Thonburi, and for a while, the Emerald Buddha was kept right here before being moved across the river. After some restoration, the temple was officially named Wat Arun Ratchatharam.
King Rama III decided to go big, building the massive central prang that defines the skyline today. Construction dragged on for years, wrapping up under King Rama IV, who gave it the long-winded name it has now.
The main prang is a beast—82 meters high and 234 meters wide. It’s one of the tallest religious buildings in Bangkok, and honestly, you can’t help but stare.
Wat Arun’s got deep royal ties, too. It’s played a role in major royal ceremonies, and locals still treat it with serious reverence.
Let’s talk about that central prang. It’s wild—thousands of porcelain shards and seashells stuck all over, shimmering when the sun hits just right.
The architecture’s a mashup of Khmer style and Thai influences. Those steep steps? Not for the faint of heart, but the views from partway up are worth a little vertigo.
Depending on the time of day, the temple feels different. Mornings are gentle and glowy; sunset turns the whole place into a silhouette against the sky.
Most of the classic photos are snapped from across the river—either at Wat Pho or down by the riverbank. It’s a postcard shot, for sure.
If you’re wondering when to go, try November to February. Bangkok’s heat lets up a bit, and the light’s just better for photos. I’d say show up before 9 AM or after 4 PM if you want fewer crowds and better vibes.
You can easily spend a couple of hours here. Climb the famous prang, wander the temple grounds, and don’t rush—timing really shapes your experience.
The central prang is the showstopper, towering at about 82 meters. You can climb partway up, but heads up—the stairs are no joke. Steep, narrow, and a little nerve-wracking, honestly.
But the payoff? Views across the Chao Phraya toward the Grand Palace. Not bad.
Get close and you’ll spot all those porcelain and seashell mosaics—leftovers from Chinese ships. Some of the designs tell stories from Hindu mythology, especially the god Aruna.
Four smaller prangs surround the main tower. Each one’s guarded by statues of Phra Phai, the wind god, riding horseback. Most people breeze past these, but it’s worth a lap to check out the details.
The ordination hall sits right by the river. There’s a Buddha image inside said to be designed by King Rama II, and murals that trace the Buddha’s life. They’re easy to miss if you’re just here for the main tower, but worth a peek.
If you want soft light and fewer people, show up early—think 8:30 to 10:00 AM. The place opens at 8:00, so you can almost have it to yourself if you’re quick.
Late afternoons work too. Around 4:00 to 5:30 PM, the sun really makes the porcelain pop. Just be warned, that’s when tour groups start rolling in.
Midday? I wouldn’t. Between 11:00 and 2:00, it gets roasting hot, there’s no shade, and the crowds are thick. Not exactly the best time for photos, either.
Wat Arun sits on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya, directly across from the Grand Palace. The ferry over is quick, and honestly, timing your visit makes a huge difference.
You’ll find the temple in Bangkok Yai, on the Thonburi side. Easiest way? Take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin, hop on a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien Pier (N8), then grab the little ferry across. It runs every few minutes and costs just 5 baht.
The crossing’s barely three minutes. Once you step off at the Wat Arun pier, you’re right there—no wandering required.
You could also take a taxi or tuk-tuk to Thonburi, but honestly, the ferry’s more fun and skips the traffic headache.
Lots of travelers link Wat Arun with visits to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho since they’re all close. The temple’s open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, last entry at 5:30 PM.
Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon if you want to dodge the worst of the crowds and Bangkok’s relentless heat.
Honestly, Wat Arun looks absolutely magical at sunset—just keep in mind, you won’t have it to yourself. If you’re hoping for photos without a sea of selfie sticks, try showing up around 8:00 AM.
Don’t forget to dress appropriately. Shoulders and knees need to be covered, no exceptions. The folks at Wat Arun are pretty strict about this, so leave the shorts and tank tops for another day.
If you’re planning on hopping between temples, a sarong or a pair of light pants in your bag can be a lifesaver.
The central prang has these impressively steep stairs you can climb for a killer view of the Chao Phraya River. But heads up—the steps are narrow, and if heights make you queasy, it might test your nerves.
Make sure your shoes have decent grip, because those porcelain tiles can get slick, especially after a rain. Honestly, getting down feels trickier than going up, so take it slow and grab the handrails.
Entrance is 100 baht if you’re a foreigner. Bring cash, because the ticket counter doesn’t always take cards—learned that the hard way.
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