Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Visit in the early afternoon. In the morning, all the river tours arrive at once, and the crowds thin out after lunch. The central prang is covered with thousands of fragments of Chinese porcelain, and its appearance changes with the light. The catch is the heat. The area is mostly unshaded, and the sun reflects directly off the white porcelain. Reviewers describe the afternoon as sweltering. I can certainly attest to that, so be sure to bring a hat.

It's not a large complex. Most visitors are finished in about 90 minutes, including the short climb to the prang, which offers a magnificent view of the Chao Phraya River and the city beyond. Tickets cost 200 baht and include a small bottle of water, which speaks volumes about the conditions. Costume rentals are nearby if you'd like to take photos. Shoulders and knees must be covered, as in any active temple, and sarongs cost 20 baht at the entrance.

The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. There is a pier directly at the temple, making the ferry crossing (5 baht) from Tha Tien or the boat crossing with an orange, blue, or green flag more convenient than a taxi. This allows for an ideal combination of Wat Pho and Wat Arun: Wat Pho in the morning and Wat Arun after lunch.