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Wat Arun

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 Bangkok, 10600

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About

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, officially Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan, rises from the west bank of the Chao Phraya in Bangkok Yai, on the Thonburi side of the river. Its central prang stands 66.8 meters high and is covered in seashells and pieces of Chinese porcelain that catch the sun, and it is lit every night from sunset to sunrise. The Tourism Authority of Thailand uses the temple in its logo.

It is the natural third stop on an old-city day with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, which face it from the opposite bank. It rewards two looks if you can manage it: the porcelain detail up close in daylight, and the lit prang from the river after dark. Getting there is a boat ride rather than a taxi. The temple is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Foreign visitors pay 200 baht at the gate and Thai nationals enter free; there is no official online ticket, so tours sold online are guided tours, not admission. The dress code is enforced, and sarongs are available at the entrance.

The prang

The tall central tower is the reason to come. Up close, its surface turns out to be set with pieces of porcelain and shells, which is why it glimmers in strong sun. The Fine Arts Department finished a three-year renovation to secure the prang's base in 2017. Wat Pho tells a legend of the stone giant who guards Wat Arun, which it calls Wat Jaeng: a quarrel with the giant of Wat Pho across the river flattened the bank at Tha Tien, the landing you use to cross between the two temples today.

After dark

In 2024 the Japan-based YAKEI Convention and Visitors Bureau certified Wat Arun as a World Night View Heritage site for the view of the illuminated prang over the river. The temple is lit from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., so an evening on the river or on the opposite bank is the time to see it.

Getting there

The Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at Wat Arun Pier, and a cross-river ferry links the temple with Tha Tien Pier beside Wat Pho. The temple can also be entered from Mae Phueak Pier and from Wang Doem Road on the land side.

Sources: Wat Arun (official Facebook page), Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2020, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2024, Wat Pho directions, Wat Pho, Legend of Yak Wat Pho. Checked September 25, 2026.

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Company Name
Wat Arun
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Location
158 Wang Doem Road
Bangkok, 10600

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About Wat Arun

Quick answer: Wat Arun is a temple at 158 Wang Doem Road, Bangkok, 10600. The Temple of Dawn on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya: a 66.8-meter porcelain-studded prang, lit every night and a ferry ride from Wat Pho.

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Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, officially Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan, rises from the west bank of the Chao Phraya in Bangkok Yai, on the Thonburi side of the river. Its central prang stands 66.8 meters high and is covered in seashells and pieces of Chinese porcelain that catch the sun, and it is lit every night from sunset to sunrise. The Tourism Authority of Thailand uses the temple in its logo.

It is the natural third stop on an old-city day with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, which face it from the opposite bank. It rewards two looks if you can manage it: the porcelain detail up close in daylight, and the lit prang from the river after dark. Getting there is a boat ride rather than a taxi. The temple is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Foreign visitors pay 200 baht at the gate and Thai nationals enter free; there is no official online ticket, so tours sold online are guided tours, not admission. The dress code is enforced, and sarongs are available at the entrance.

The prang

The tall central tower is the reason to come. Up close, its surface turns out to be set with pieces of porcelain and shells, which is why it glimmers in strong sun. The Fine Arts Department finished a three-year renovation to secure the prang's base in 2017. Wat Pho tells a legend of the stone giant who guards Wat Arun, which it calls Wat Jaeng: a quarrel with the giant of Wat Pho across the river flattened the bank at Tha Tien, the landing you use to cross between the two temples today.

After dark

In 2024 the Japan-based YAKEI Convention and Visitors Bureau certified Wat Arun as a World Night View Heritage site for the view of the illuminated prang over the river. The temple is lit from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., so an evening on the river or on the opposite bank is the time to see it.

Getting there

The Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at Wat Arun Pier, and a cross-river ferry links the temple with Tha Tien Pier beside Wat Pho. The temple can also be entered from Mae Phueak Pier and from Wang Doem Road on the land side.

Sources: Wat Arun (official Facebook page), Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2020, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2024, Wat Pho directions, Wat Pho, Legend of Yak Wat Pho. Checked September 25, 2026.

Attractions Temples Historic Sites Riverside Thonburi Bangkok Yai attractions
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Business Hours

Open daily · 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Amenities at Wat Arun

  • Three entry points
  • Cross-river ferry
  • Dress code enforced
  • Lit at night

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wat Arun worth a visit?
Yes. Its 66.8-metre central prang, surfaced in seashells and pieces of Chinese porcelain, is one of Bangkok's defining sights, it anchors the old-city temple trio opposite Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, and the lit prang over the river is a certified World Night View Heritage view. Allow one to two hours inside.
Why is Wat Arun so famous?
For the porcelain-and-shell mosaic prang that glitters in sunlight, its riverside silhouette, and its after-dark illumination, certified a World Night View Heritage site in 2024.
When was Wat Arun built?
The temple predates Bangkok: it stood in the Ayutthaya era under the name Wat Makok, was renamed Wat Arun under King Taksin, and its prang took its present form across the reigns of Rama II and Rama III. The Fine Arts Department completed a three-year renovation securing the prang's base in 2017.
What are the differences between Wat Arun and Wat Pho?
They face each other across the river. Wat Arun (west/Thonburi bank) is the porcelain prang: an outdoor, climb-the-terraces visit. Wat Pho (east bank) is the Reclining Buddha and the traditional massage school. The cross-river ferry between Tha Tien Pier and Wat Arun Ferry Pier links them in minutes.
What are the opening hours and entrance fee?
The temple is open daily 08:00 to 18:00. Admission: foreign visitors THB 200; Thai nationals enter free. Pay at the gate; there is no official online ticket.
What is the dress code at Wat Arun?
Enforced: shoulders and knees covered for everyone; no sleeveless tops, short shorts, miniskirts or see-through clothing. If you arrive underdressed, cover-up sarongs are available at the entrance. Shoes come off inside the ordination hall.
How do I get to Wat Arun?
By boat: the Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at Wat Arun Pier, and the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien Pier (beside Wat Pho) lands at Wat Arun Ferry Pier. Land-side entry is via Wang Doem Road; the temple's three entry points are Mae Phueak Pier, Wat Arun Ferry Pier and Wang Doem Road.
Do I need to book Wat Arun tickets in advance?
No. Admission is sold at the gate only; the temple runs no official online ticketing, so any "ticket" sold online is a guided tour or a reseller bundle, not temple admission. Guided tours combining Wat Arun with Wat Pho are bookable for visitors who want a guide.
When is Wat Arun lit up?
The prang is lit every night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The temple itself closes at 6 p.m., so the lit view is seen from the opposite bank or from the river after dark. The view was certified as World Night View Heritage in July 2024.
Can I combine Wat Arun with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace?
Yes: Wat Pho and the Grand Palace sit on the opposite bank, and the Tha Tien to Wat Arun cross-river ferry makes all three a natural single day, with Wat Arun best kept for morning light on the porcelain or the lit view after dark.

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