Bustling Bangkok | Part 7| Wat Arun

During our vacation, we spent seven days in Bangkok. I’m going to split our time in Bangkok into multiple parts to cover a wide range of information about the places we visited, the modes of transportation, and the costs involved.

In this seventh chapter, I’ll share our experience at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

A Bit of Background

Wat Arun is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is a temple complex built with Cambodian, Thai, Hindu, Buddhist, and Chinese influences. It's a famous landmark in Thailand, attracting millions of visitors every year due to its unique architectural style.

The name of the temple is derived from the Hindu god "Aruna," who represents the rays of the rising sun.

Location and Entrance

Wat Arun is about a 22-minute walk, but you’ll need to cross the Chao Phraya River by boat. Wat Arun has its own pier, so anyone can easily reach it from Terminal 21, ICONSIAM, or any other pier. It cost about 5–6 Baht to cross the river.

You can find more details on how to get there on their official website:

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The entrance fee was 200 Baht, and we also received free water bottles. Opening hours are from 8 am to 6 pm. Modest clothing is mandatory for entry.

The temple is a popular photo location, and you can rent traditional dresses nearby for around 300 Baht. There are also professional photographers available for hire.

The best time to visit is early in the morning to avoid crowds. We visited around noon, and the place was hot and crowded.

The Central Prang

The Central Prang is the iconic structure most commonly associated with Wat Arun, standing 82 meters tall. Visitors are allowed to climb multiple levels of the Prang using staircases. The tower is decorated with colorful porcelain and seashells, a design style seen in many historical stupas in Thailand.

You can easily spend 1–2 hours exploring this place.