Place guide · กรุงเทพมหานคร
Wat Arun
วัดอรุณA Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, opposite Bangkok; its central prang rises about 70 metres and is decorated with coloured porcelain and seashells.
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A closer look
Approaching by ferry from the Bangkok side, the central prang appears across the river and then slowly rises above the river walls as you get closer.
On foot, the prang's surface is a mosaic of coloured porcelain and seashells that catch the afternoon light; the surrounding smaller prangs frame it in stages.
Late in the day, the warm light catches the upper tier of the prang; the river and the Grand Palace on the opposite bank are visible behind you.
It is one of the most recognisable Buddhist temples in Bangkok and a long-standing landmark on the Chao Phraya river.
The central prang and its four satellite prangs represent Mount Meru in classical Thai cosmology, with thousands of pieces of coloured porcelain and seashell set into the surface.
It is a working Buddhist temple; visitors and devotees share the same courtyards and terraces.
Before you go
Current details checked July 2026
- Best season
- Cool dry season (November–February) is the most comfortable. March–May is hot; June–October is the monsoon season with afternoon showers.
Specific festival dates such as the temple's annual celebration vary year to year.
Editorial guidance - Getting there
- Chao Phraya Express boat to Tha Tien pier on the Bangkok side; cross-river ferry to Wat Arun pier.Official source
- Official website
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_ArunOfficial source
- Before you go 1
- Approach by river ferry from Tha Tien pier; the Chao Phraya Express boat is the practical option.Editorial guidance
- Before you go 2
- Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered; scarves can be rented at the pier.Editorial guidance
- Before you go 3
- Admission is paid; the central prang's upper terraces have a separate admission and require climbing steep, narrow steps.Editorial guidance
- Before you go 4
- Sunset on the river is busy; early morning or late afternoon outside peak hours is calmer.Editorial guidance
- Before you go 5
- The central prang has four satellite prangs representing the four elements; the surrounding small prangs frame the approach from the river.Editorial guidance
- Before you go 6
- The river crossing from Tha Tien is the most photographed view of the temple; return by river is the practical way to visit in the same morning.Editorial guidance
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Practical notes
Note 1
Temple admission paid; upper prang admission separate.
Note 2
Approach by river ferry from Tha Tien.
Note 3
Specific 2026 festival dates not pinned in this batch.
Note 4
The central prang has four satellite prangs representing the four elements; the surrounding small prangs frame the approach from the river.
Note 5
The closest sky train station is Saphan Taksin on the BTS Silom Line; the river crossing starts at Sathorn (Bang Rak) pier.