Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun) Reviews (Bangkok, Thailand)

Wonderful Wat

by dkm1981

Blackburn, England, United Kingdom

February 16, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo Wat Arun is one of the most familiar sights in Bangkok and it is the one that tends to dominate postcards and other souvenirs from the city. It is very well preserved and well worth a visit if you are in the area, even if temples are not really your ...Read more Wat Arun is one of the most familiar sights in Bangkok and it is the one that tends to dominate postcards and other souvenirs from the city. It is very well preserved and well worth a visit if you are in the area, even if temples are not really your things, because it is an impressive building and offers splendid views.

The best way to get to the temple is by water taxi on the Chao Phrya river. We got it from the central pier, which is where the skytrain station is. There are a number of different taxis you can get. The locals use the orange taxi which is only 15 Baht per person (about 30p), although these ones aren’t as frequent or as relaxing as the blue tourist boats which are 40 Baht per person (about 80p). The blue ones are a lot less busy and have a guide who talks about the other attractions along the river banks on the way. Both taxis drop you off at the opposite side of the river from the temple so you’ll need to get the cross river taxi which costs three Baht per person (about 6p!) and are very regular.

Wat is the name used for a collection of religious temples that is generally surrounded by a small wall with a number of gateway way entrances. The temples are, as you would imagine, very ornate and Wat Arun is no exception. The building is fantastic and gets even more so the closer you get, with lovely detailed frescos and layers upon layers of intricate stone work. It is nicknamed the temple of the dawn because it is the first place to catch the morning light. To be honest I thought it was going to be more colourful than it is; from a distance it actually looks fairly grey. But that is deceptive because when you get up close it is very colourful. Almost like a mosaic, there are hundreds of coloured tiles up and down the temple that add to the ornate look.

You can’t go into the temple itself, but walking around it is cool enough. I’m not sure what they could put inside it to make the inside as impressive as the outside. You can however climb up the outside of it, which was one of the best things about it. You may think my choice of word (climb) was a strange one, but that is indeed what you need to do. There are stairs alright, but Western health and safety laws do not apply here, and they are some of the steepest stairs I have ever seen! I am what they call ‘vertically challenged’ and so I had to literally cling to the hand rails to haul myself up. It takes it out of you, that’s for sure, but the effort is so worth it because the views are spectacular. You can see the golden temples of the Royal Palace across the water and we spent ages just watching the traffic on the river below.

On the way out of the temple there is a little market type thing that is packed with souvenirs and silks where you can barter for an absolute bargain. It is actually a good place to brush up your bartering skills before you jump into the huge and frenetic markets of central Bangkok!

The temple costs 30 Baht for foreigners to enter; it is free for Thai nationals, but it seems to be visited by tourists in the most part. You need to consider what you are wearing before you visit, as you do with most temples. Ladies must have their shoulders and knees covered and skin tight trousers are not permitted unless you have a knee length shirt or dress over the top. You can borrow a shawl to cover your shoulders at the entrance for a small deposit. Men need to wear trousers that go at least below the knee and a t-shirt is acceptable.

I would absolutely recommend a visit to Wat Arun, you can get some great photographs and views and is a great example of temple architecture.
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From journal Barmy Bangkok!

Temple of the Dawn and Dinner at the Banana House

by nofootprint

Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 19, 2011

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Best of IgoUgo Wat Arun It's the Eiffel Tower of Bangkok and is on many visitor posters, Wat Arun, "the Temple of the Dawn." It's definately a hot tourist spot but never the less it's a must see. Most people go see it by boat. Start off with taking a BTS to Saphan ...Read more

From journal Our Bangkok Experience

Watch your steps, enjoy the view!

by Naty_Ellis

Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay

September 10, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Wat Arun is one of the most well know temples in Bangkok as well as a one of the most popular photographed and published images.Early in the morning, on my way along the Chao Praya River to the Grand Palace, an English tourist had made me realise ...Read more

From journal 4 busy days in Bangkok

Great views from the top of Wat Arun

by torikyn

Singapore, Singapore

August 26, 2010

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Rising up majestically along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) is certainly hard to miss. An iconic landmark of Bangkok, this is a necessary stop when visiting the city, especially since it’s just across from the ...Read more

From journal Quick Getaway to Bangkok

Temple of Dawn

by nmagann

Ventura, California

June 2, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Wat Arun, is a far cry from the architectural design of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Yet it is a mere ferry ride away. There are no green and gold roof tops, nor decorated eaves here.Instead, this Khmer-style prang rising over 250’ can be seen ...Read more Wat Arun, is a far cry from the architectural design of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Yet it is a mere ferry ride away. There are no green and gold roof tops, nor decorated eaves here.

Instead, this Khmer-style prang rising over 250’ can be seen from the other places. The four smaller towers seem to be the icing on the cake. The combination of the center tower and four smaller surrounding ones represents Mount Meru, a very sacred mountain in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The faith of this temple is, in fact, Buddhist. Each level you ascend, represents another level in heaven.

Each layer of the main prang appears to be held up by rows of Goompagans positioned in a squat pose with arms raised to hold up the foundation. Kinnari, the beautiful half-woman half-bird character as well a the fierce Yaksa demons are depicted in half circle cutouts along the walls. Pieces of colored ceramic shaped into flowers and ivy adorn all the pillars surrounding the mythical creatures.

As you climb up the main prang, you a better view of the skyline as well as the smaller prang’s details. Here you’ll notice chimes fashioned in the form of small golden leaves emitting the faintest, but extremely peaceful murmurs. At the top of the smaller prangs there are arches with statues of man on a horse decorating it, while the central pillar’s archway depicts Erawan, the 3-headed elephant from Hindu mythology.

Two huge Goompagans, or gatekeepers, adorn the entryway to the site and are from the Hindu period. Yet the small shrines on the site house small Buddhas. The main Buddha statue is purported to have be designed by King Rama II. And this Temple of Dawn was chosen by King Tak Sin to be the royal palace as it is the first location to glean the morning light. For tourists, it is a popular place for a sunset.

Admission 60B, hours 8:30-5:30, shoulders must be covered and no short skirts or shorts are permitted. Take the river ferry from Phra Arit near Khao San to the next stop heading south on the Chao Praya River and the dock right next to it takes you directly across to Wat Arun for 3B. Close

From journal Temples of All Faiths

Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn

by SeenThat

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

January 5, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Reaching the TempleWat Arun is in the Thonburi area of Bangkok, on the western bank of the Chao Praya River anda cross classical Bangkok, almost in front of the Grand Palace. It is possible to reach Wat Arun with one of the ferry boats crossing the ...Read more

From journal Thonburi

Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn

by SeenThat

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

January 12, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo Engraved on the ten Baht coin, Wat Arun - namely the Dawn Temple - is one of the most distinctive views of Bangkok. LocationOfficially, the temple is in Thonburi, the former Thai capital located across the Chao Praya River from Bangkok. Reaching the ...Read more

From journal Bangkok Bits

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)

by LenR

Townsville, Queensland, Australia

September 5, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The “Temple of the Dawn” is a Bangkok landmark and probably my favourite wat. Dramatically jutting into the air from its location on the Thonburi banks of the Chao Phraya River, the central Khmer-style prang has been elongated to give it an ...Read more The “Temple of the Dawn” is a Bangkok landmark and probably my favourite wat. Dramatically jutting into the air from its location on the Thonburi banks of the Chao Phraya River, the central Khmer-style prang has been elongated to give it an appearance that is unmistakably Thai. Four smaller prangs of similar design surround the main spire. The name comes from Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn.

All five spires are covered with broken pieces of porcelain that were used as ballast by Chinese ships that formerly came to Thailand. Steep steps lead halfway up one side of the main prang to a point where there are good views of the river and surrounding areas, including Wat Pra Kaeo and The Grand Palace. These towers, although best known, are only part of Wat Arun. It also contains narrow lanes, elegant, old white buildings, shrines, pools of turtles, and two giants.

It is believed that after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, which was besieged by a Burmese army at the time, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking and decided to build a palace next door. He later had the temple renovated, added the huge prang, and renamed it Wat Chaeng. Many locals still call this temple by this name. During his reign (known as the Thonburi Period), Wat Chaeng was the chief temple, and it once enshrined the famous Emerald Buddha and another important Buddha image, the Phra Bang, both of which had been removed from Vientiane.

Even though the Thai capital was transferred across the river to Bangkok, the temple has flourished throughout the Rattanakosin Period (since 1782). The beauty of the architecture, the location and the fine craftsmanship declare its status as one of the most outstanding temples in Thailand.

The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicolored Chinese porcelain. In niches in the central tower are green figures of the God Indra seated on Erawan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant.

In my view, the main prangs probably really look better from a distance than close up but the grounds are pleasant and peaceful, with good murals and a main Buddha image supposedly designed by King Rama II. The mythical guardians here are also quite impressive, though very similar to those at Wat Phra Kaew. Don’t miss taking a photograph from the river as you approach the temple.

The interior of the temple’s bot is also worth exploring. The murals picturing Prince Siddhartha encountering examples of birth, old age, sickness, and death are particularly impressive.

The wat is open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm; admission is 20 baht. It can be reached from the Bangkok side of the river by taking the ferry from Tha Tien Pier to the Wat Arun Pier. The ferry crossing costs 3 baht. Buses that go near Tha Tien are ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 62 and 91 which stop on Maharat Road. Close

From journal The Wats of Bangkok

Wat Arun

by mightywease

Carshalton, United Kingdom

July 9, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo Towards the late 18th century King Taksin established Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, as the seat of royal power and worship, and home to the Emerald Buddha. After the accession of a new king the royal focus moved to Wat Phra Kaew, however, Wat ...Read more Towards the late 18th century King Taksin established Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, as the seat of royal power and worship, and home to the Emerald Buddha. After the accession of a new king the royal focus moved to Wat Phra Kaew, however, Wat Arun remained an important religious and historical site.

The central praang is approximately 80 metres high and forms a recognisable landmark on the riverside. You can walk up the lower tiers (the steps are quite steep so take care) and see in closer detail the fierce looking statues—Kinnari (half bird and half human) and Yakshas (demons)—which support the upper levels and also the Chinese porcelain that was used to decorate the structure. Four smaller but still richly decorated prangs surround this central pillar.

Get close up to the central prang and other structures in Wat Arun and you will see that they are highly decorated with pieces of porcelain made into different patterns. The porcelain was brought to Bangkok as ballast in Chinese trading ships.

Although the central prang does dominate the complex there is also a wonderful courtyard nearby looking like the sort of landscape where a martial arts fight would take place! Under a rectangular and blissfully shady veranda sit a large number of gold coloured Buddhas, and in front of this are numerous wonderful statues of monks, beasts, and warriors on horseback. In the middle is a beautifully decorated pavilion—not open when we were there—and a fine golden Buddha in another shrine. There are also some interesting views towards the central prang from the courtyard and the terrace outside the shrine.

The whole complex, with its great views of the river, is a wonderful place to wander around. The anticipation as you cross the river and the prang looms bigger in your view will certainly be borne out by your visit.

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From journal Bangkok - Flying Angels, Fallen Angels

Wat Arun

by HiramAbif

Corfu, Greece

September 11, 2005

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I found Wat Arun one of the most impressive Wats (temples) in Bangkok. It is located very near the Grand Palace, on the other sife of the Chao Praya river. It is dedicated to the Indian God Aruna, and the craftmanship of this building is stunning. ...Read more

From journal Bangkok - The Heart of Southeast Asia

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Wonderful Wat

Temple of the Dawn and Dinner at the Banana House

Watch your steps, enjoy the view!

Great views from the top of Wat Arun

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Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn

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