The incredible Wat Arun is a stunning Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River, so it's something you should put on the itinerary when booking some tours in Bangkok! One amazing part of Wat Arun is that it is a practicing Buddhist temple, so you can get the experience of even being a part of a ceremony with Monks which is truly life changing and exciting to witness.

The temple's name is owed to the Indian God of the Dawn Aruna, hence why it's also called the 'Temple of Dawn', and with an 82 meter high tower in Khmer style, you won't want to miss the impressive sight of Wat Arun.

Fun fact: It's been said that in the past many Chinese ships docked in the port of Bangkok and dumped shiploads full of excess porcelain along the way. A lot of the porcelain was recycled and used to decorate temples, including Wat Arun.

Best time to visit Wat Arun:

If you want to experience the most magical moment: then the best time to visit Wat Arun is in the evening, just before sunset. You can go around 5 pm, spend an hour or more there and then cross over to the other side of the river where you can witness Wat Arun in golden halogen lights after the sunset!

Of course, you can go anytime of the day, but the heat and the high volume of other travelers may interfere with your photo taking experience.

How to get there:

Wat Arun is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River and is easily accessible by boat. A ticket from pier N13 (Banglamphu/Tha Phra Arthit) to pier N8 (Tha Tien) costs around 15 baht p.p. From Tha Tien there is a ferry every few minutes that takes you to the other side of the river for 3 baht p.p.

On the other side of the shore are 2 other famous temples: Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew & the Grand Palace. You can easily combine a visit to all three temples!

How to get the best pictures:

One of the best spots to take pictures is at the famous arch with the crown. The two huge statues are decorated and give access to the ordination hall of the monks. Especially the beautiful corridors with the Buddha statues makes this a great photo opportunity!

Another good photo spot of the temple is the marble-lined courtyard with the gorgeous garden and let's not forget the stunning Phra Prang (the highest temple tower) that rises high above the river!

When it comes to taking pictures at sunset, your best shot at getting the perfect picture is not in the temple itself. It's best to go to the other side of the river. Here you will find several rooftop bars that offer the best view of the temple! A great spot is the roof terrace 'Eagle Nest' in hotel Sala Arun!

Tip: You are visiting a Buddhist temple, so dress accordingly (cover shoulders and legs)