Opposite Wat Pho, on the other bank of the Chao Phraya River, stands the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). Its main tower, a Prang Principal, is adorned with a golden trident and surrounded by four smaller prangs, each containing a statue of Nayu (the wind goddess) on horseback. All are decorated with mosaics depicting flowers, people, or animals. A steep staircase leading from the main tower takes you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the river and the surrounding landscape. The effort of climbing symbolizes the difficulties of reaching higher planes of existence.

The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry costs 200 baht. You can take a ferry across the river to Wat Pho and vice versa to Wat Arun (price: 4 baht).

You can reach Wat Pho via the Chao Phraya Express (Ta Tien station) and then take a ferry to Wat Arun. The BTS train stops at Saphan Taksin station, also on the Chao Phraya Express. From Itsaraphap station, you can reach Wat Arun by MRT (subway) in about 10 minutes on foot. Alternatively, bus lines 19, 57, and 83 stop there.

Wat Arun is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do I get to Wat Arun? You can take the Chao Phraya Express (Ta Tien station) to Wat Pho and then a ferry to Wat Arun. The BTS train stops at Saphan Taksin station, also at the Chao Phraya Express station. From Itsaraphap station, you can reach Wat Arun by MRT (subway) in about 10 minutes on foot. Alternatively, bus lines 19, 57, and 83 stop there.