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 |
| Faith: | Buddhism |
| Denomination: | Thai |
| Category: | Buddhist Temples |
| Date: | 18th century |
| Size: | Height: 79m (260 ft) |
| Status: | active |
| Photo gallery: | Wat Arun Photo Gallery |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Wang Doem, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Coordinates: | 13.743773° N, 100.489132° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | 2465-5640 |
| Public transport: | Bus: 19, 57, or 83 Ferry: Tha Tien Pier (by Wat Pho) to Wat Arun Pier |
| Opening hours: | Daily 9am-5:30pm |
| Cost: | 20B |
Travel Resources
- Bangkok Map - our detailed interactive map of Bangkok, plus hand-picked links to more
- Bangkok Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Bangkok Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Bangkok
- Bangkok Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article 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
Last updated on July 30, 2010.
