Wat Arun, Bangkok

The magnificent Wat Arun as seen from the river. Photo mykaul.

Wat Arun at sunset. Photo Hartfried Schmid.

View of Wat Arun and its main stairway. Photos by Daniel Cheong.

The central stairway to the terrace. Photo Yogesh Rao.

Figures on the central prang. Photo Sivakumar Thyagarajan.

Details of exquisite decoration on the chedi. Photos by Patrick Toutain.

Wat Arun at sunset. Photo Trey Ratcliff.

Roofline of a temple building at Wat Arun. Photo Daniel Cheong.

Location map and aerial view of Wat Arun. For a larger interactive view, see our Bangkok Map.

Wat Arun ("Temple of the Dawn") in Bangkok is a Khmer-style Buddhist temple and major landmark on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.

History

Wat Arun was built in the days of Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya, and was originally known as Wat Makok ("Olive Temple").

In the ensuring era when Thonburi was capital, King Taksin changed the name to Wat Chaeng. The temple briefly hosted the revered Emerald Buddha after it was recaptured from Laos, but it was moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1784.

King Rama II enlarged the central prang and changed the temple's name to Wat Arunratchatharam. The work was finished by King Rama III, and King Rama IV gave the temple its current full name of Wat Arunratchawararam.

What to See

Despite its name (from Aruna, the Hindu god of the dawn), the best views of Wat Arun come at sunset - there are several restaurants and coffee shops across the river that make fine viewpoints.

The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (a prang is a Khmer-style pagoda), which is about 80 meters tall and symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe. It is possible to climb the prang, using some very steep exterior steps, to two terraces providing fine views.

The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prangs, which are dedicated to the wind god Phra Phai. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which were used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.

Around the base of the prang are various sculptures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.

At the riverside are six pavilions (sala) in Chinese style, made of green granite and contain landing bridges.

Next to the prangs is the Ordination Hall with the Niramitr Buddha image said to have been designed by King Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and stuccowork sheated in colored china.

There are two temple guardian figures in front. Characters from the Hindu epic Ramayana, the white figure is named Sahassateja and the green one is known as Tasakanth.

Quick Facts

Site Information

Names:	Wat Arun; Temple of the Dawn; Wat Arunratchawararam; Wat Jaeng (formerly); Wat Makok (formerly)
Location:	Bangkok, Thailand
Category:	Buddhist Temples
Faith:	Buddhism
Denomination:	Thai
Status:	active
Date:	18th century
Size:	Height: 79m (260 ft)

Visitor Information

Coordinates:	13.743773° N, 100.489132° E (view on Google Maps)
Address:	Wang Doem, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok, Thailand
Phone:	2465-5640
Hours:	Daily 9am-5:30pm
Cost:	20B
Public transport:	Bus: 19, 57, or 83 Ferry: Tha Tien Pier (by Wat Pho) to Wat Arun Pier

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

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Article Sources

Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:

Frommer's Thailand, 6th edition
Wat Arun, Bangkok - Asian Historical Architecture
Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn - Into Asia
Wat Arun or Wat Arunratchawararam - Bangkok Thailand Travel Guide
Wat Arun - Thailand Guidebook
Bangkok: Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) - Virtual Tourist user reviews
Wat Arun - IgoUgo user reviews

Article last updated: 04/13/2009.