Hotels near Wat Arun

Wat Arun's central prang (Khmer-style tower) rises 82 metres above the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, making it one of the tallest religious structures in Thailand. The tower is decorated with thousands of fragments of Chinese porcelain and coloured glass that catch the light differently at every hour. Construction began during the Ayutthaya period, and King Taksin designated it as the royal chapel when Thonburi served as the capital before the Grand Palace was built across the river. The surrounding complex includes ordination halls, smaller prangs, and stone statues of Chinese warriors that once served as ballast on trading ships.

Admission is 100 THB (about 2.60 EUR). The temple opens from 08:00 to 18:00 daily. Visitors can climb partway up the central prang on steep, narrow stairs for panoramic views of the river and the Grand Palace skyline. The climb is short but challenging in the heat, with railings that feel decorative more than functional. The best photographs of the full temple come from the opposite bank - many visitors shoot from Tha Tien Pier before crossing over.

Pro Tip: Come at 17:00 and stay through sunset. The porcelain facade glows warm orange as the sun drops behind you, and the crowds clear out by 17:30 since most tourists arrive in the morning.