Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the bank of the Chao Phraya River and is one of the main sights of Bangkok. Visitors come for its rich history and its striking design, which is full of Buddhist symbolism.
It is especially beautiful after dark, when its spires are lit up and reflected in golden colours in the river.
More about Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok. It is one of the most popular sights for visitors to Thailand.
The temple has a long history and has been restored and altered many times over the centuries. It is one of Thailand’s best-known landmarks. The spires, restored in 2017, are reflected in the waters of the Chao Phraya River and look especially beautiful at night, when their lights are turned on.
The temple has a tall central spire, or prang, decorated with porcelain. At its top is a seven-pronged trident often called the Trident of Shiva. The central spire is surrounded by four smaller spires decorated with seashells and porcelain, which boats travelling from China to Bangkok once brought.
The temple is reached from the river in front of it, and most visitors cross by ferry from the opposite bank.