Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun sits on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya and is unusual for a major Thai temple: its central prang, 70 metres high, is clad not in gold leaf but in millions of shards of broken Chinese porcelain, pressed into stucco to form flowers, garudas and demon guardians. The ballast of trading junks became the skin of a monument. Named for Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn, the temple is at its most photogenic at sunset when the river turns copper and the prang glows against the sky.

You can climb the central prang partway up by a set of nearly vertical steps — the view over the river and the Grand Palace opposite is the payoff. At the base, four smaller prangs at the compound corners hold niches with images of the wind god Phra Phai on his white horse. The ordination hall on the north side holds a beautifully proportioned Buddha whose ashes of Rama II are said to be interred beneath. Walk the outer terrace at eye level with the porcelain and you will see the detail: teacups, saucers, plates, all repurposed.

Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier next to Wat Pho — five minutes, 5 THB. Come at 16:00, climb the prang, then cross back for sunset shots from the Wat Pho side or from one of the rooftop bars on the Rattanakosin bank. Dress code is enforced: cover shoulders and knees. Skip on stormy days — the porcelain steps become slippery and the upper terrace is closed.

Hours & entry

Not free

Daily 8:00-18:00 · Best light 16:30-18:00

What to see

• Climb of the central prang — West-facing staircase, second terrace of the main prang
• Phra Phai niches — Four corner prangs at the base of the compound
• Ordination hall Buddha — Ubosot on the northern side of the complex

Tips from the ground

• Rent traditional Thai dress from stalls at the entrance for around $10 — photos on the terrace are the classic Bangkok shot.
• Cross-river ferry runs every 10 min from Tha Tien; ignore longtail boat touts quoting $30.
• Climb before 17:00 — after that the staircase queue backs up onto the plaza.