Wat Arun
More things to do in bangkok →The Temple of Dawn — a 70m Khmer-style prang armoured in broken Chinese porcelain, rising straight off the Chao Phraya's west bank. Climb the steep central terrace by day, then cross back over the river for the classic sunset silhouette with a mango sticky rice in hand.
Tickets
- From
- ₹260
Tiers
- Foreigner entry — ₹260 · THB 100
- Thai costume rental (nearby shops) — ₹700 · THB 250–300; hugely popular for photos
Best time to go
- Best time
- Two visits in one: climb at 4pm, then watch it light up from across the river at 7pm
- Avoid
- Midday — white porcelain glare is brutal
Notes
- Open daily 8am–6pm; the illumination is viewed from outside after dark
How long to spend
- Recommended hours
- 1.5
- Min hours
- 1
Highlights
- Central prang climb — Steep stairs to a river panorama of the Grand Palace skyline · 1
- Porcelain mosaic detail — Millions of ceramic shards — ballast from Chinese trade ships · 2
- Sunset from Tha Tien side — The postcard: prang silhouetted against orange sky · 3
Strategy
Tips
- Cross-river ferry from Tha Tien is THB 5 and takes 3 minutes — no need for tours
- Riverside bars opposite (Roof/Eagle Nest) charge café prices for the best sunset seat
- Dress code applies (shoulders/knees) — lighter enforcement than Grand Palace but real
Food nearby
Inside
- Stalls at the pier — Coconut ice cream and mango sticky rice on both banks
Getting there
Options
- Cross-river ferry — From Tha Tien pier (behind Wat Pho), THB 5
- Chao Phraya Express — Orange flag to Tha Tien, then ferry
What to carry
- Grippy footwear for the steep steps
- Modest dress
- Small change for ferries
Pro tips
- Do Wat Pho → ferry → Wat Arun → sunset drink as one golden afternoon
- The climb closes before the grounds do — prang first
- Weekday mornings are near-empty if photos matter more than sunset