Cover picture: Wat Arun
The entrance to Wat Arun is quite unspectacularly located in a small side street
The place is always busy, even in the low season
Ticket counter and ATM (only cash is accepted)
Admission: 200 baht per person
Overview of the temple complex
In addition to the famous pointed temples, Wat Arun's grounds include many other buildings and its own boat landing stage
View of the 70-meter-high main prang in the center of Wat Arun
What fascinating architecture!
The towers rise high into the sky and create a magical image
Each tower was individually created and decorated with colorful porcelain elements and figures
Close-up of the decoration - here you can see how much love goes into the detail!
Staircase to the large Prang (this area is closed to visitors)
Visitors are free to walk on the steps of the old buildings ...
... and explore great photo spots on the "balconies" of the ruins!
The entire temple complex is really impressive
Many tourists use the backdrop for a professional photo shoot in a traditional Thai outfit
Entrance to Wat Arun from its own pier on the Chao Phraya River
View of the temple at the golden hour
We spent a wonderful day at Wat Arun & can only warmly recommend it to you with these pictures!
Costs
200 THB p.p.
(≈ 5,26 EUR)
Opening hours
Daily 08:00 - 18:00
Wat Arun
The Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamaha Wihan, short Wat Arunis one of the most visited Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Its name is derived from Arunathe god of dawn from Indian mythology, which is why this place is also commonly known as the "Temple of Dawn" or "Temple of Dawn". Its origins lie far back in the ancient Ayutthaya period, where the first temple of this complex was built under the name of Wat Makok was built as early as the 17th century. Kings Rama II and Rama III rebuilt the temple with the addition of further structural elements under its current name of Wat Arun finally completed in the 19th century.
The special architectural style of the temple dates back to the Khmer era and is known for its distinctive spires (called "Prangs") and the decoration with strikingly colorful ceramic and porcelain elements. This unique design is particularly striking in the morning, as the picturesque ornaments are reflected in the sunlight and give the temple its glittering appearance!
Many tourists combine a visit to Wat Arun with a professional photo shoot in traditional Thai clothing. You can book such an activity via the platform GetYourGuideª book online in advance. You can rent the outfits for a small fee in the streets directly in front of the temple, try them on on site and return them later.
Wat Arun is located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River and has its own jetty. As well as arriving by tuk-tuk, the place is therefore also ideally accessible by boat, e.g. with the Chao Phraya Tourist Boatª. This hop-on hop-off service offers a great way to explore many sights in Bangkok and to hop on and off flexibly at different locations.
Tip:: On the opposite side of Wat Arun is the Restaurant & Rooftop Bar "The Deck by Arun Residence"from where you have a magnificent view of the sparkling temple in the evening!
Places of interest in the vicinity
- Wat Pho
- Grand Palace
- Chao Phraya boat trip
Map
More Bangkok highlights
Chinatown
Samphanthawong is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Bangkok and is better known as Chinatown. Founded in 1782, it is now one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the world! Around the main street Yaowarat Road, you can see ornate gates (like the famous Chinatown Gate) & Chinese temples, stroll under bright red lanterns or taste your way through delicious street food stalls! This place is a must-see, even if you are only planning a short stay in Bangkok. The best way to get here is by tuk-tuk (the drivers know exactly where to drop you off when you say "Chinatown") and from there you can continue on foot. The streets are very noisy and busy, especially in the evening, but it's worth a walk to immerse yourself in traditional Chinese culture in Bangkok!
Lumphini Park
At over 570,000 square meters, Lumphini Park is the largest park in the center of Bangkok. There are seven park entrances, known as gates, from different directions. The southwest entrance is adorned with a monument to King Rama VI, who created the site in the 1920s as the first public city park. Today, the huge area features an artificial lake where you can go pedal boating, numerous benches and pavilions for resting, a public concert stage, the public library, children's playgrounds, a public sports facility with fitness equipment, a Muay Thai boxing stadium and a 2.5 km jogging track through the entire park. Another interesting activity and very typical for Thailand and Southeast Asia are the outdoor sports courses such as Tai Chi, martial arts, yoga or aerobics - which you can take part in free of charge.
ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM is a huge mall in the center of Bangkok. With a total of eight floors and an area of over 500,000 m², this shopping center offers plenty to explore and will make your shopping heart beat faster! A visit is particularly worthwhile on rainy days to discover the latest trends, store for luxury brands or visit the remarkable food court in the basement. The SOOKSIAM food court has been recreated in the style of a floating market with lots of boats, colorful floral decorations and an artificial river! A special highlight can be found on the 6th floor: a 15-metre high indoor waterfall that shines in bright colors! In one of the lovingly decorated restaurants, you can watch this spectacle at its best & try delicious delicacies. Our favorite place is right at the top on the 7th floor: the Napalai Terrace. From here you can enjoy the fantastic view of the beautiful Chao Phraya River for free!
Grand Palace (Royal Palace)
Anyone traveling to the Thai capital is unlikely to miss the Grand Palace - in the truest sense of the word. The huge 2.6 km² site is located right in the heart of Bangkok, directly on the Chao Phraya River. Contrary to expectations, there is not just one palace to marvel at here, but an entire complex consisting of government buildings, magnificent ancient temples with golden towers, ornate decorations and murals as well as lovingly tended gardens. Every day, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the metropolis just to visit this place!
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and served as a royal residence for over 150 subsequent years. Today, the royal family lives in the north of Bangkok, but the palace is still used for ceremonies or state receptions for foreign guests. With its prestige, it symbolizes the rich culture and history of the country.
Benjakitti Park
A popular oasis of calm in the otherwise hectic metropolis is the pretty Benjakitti Park. At 208,000 square meters, it is one of the largest parks in Bangkok and is centrally located between the two metro stations Sukhumvit and Asok. It was opened in 2004 to mark the 72nd birthday of Queen Sirikit, who subsequently gave the park its current name: Benjakitti. The extensive grounds include two large wooded areas, idyllic walking paths, plenty of sunbathing areas and benches, a 1.8-kilometre circular path for joggers and cyclists and a huge artificial lake in the middle of the park. The pretty lakeside promenade is decorated with colorful flowers and water fountains. We were particularly fascinated by the contrast between the vast green spaces and the gigantic skyscrapers that surround the entire park!
Wat Pho
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, better known as Wat Pho, is one of the most important historical temples in the heart of Bangkok. Its origins lie far back in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period, when the first buildings were erected. Around 1801, King Rama I undertook restorations to the temple and gave it its current name. However, the place only achieved great fame in 1832, when King Rama III erected a 46-meter-long, reclining, gilded Buddha statue (English name: Reclining Buddha) in the newly built temple hall Viharn Phranorn.
Baiyoke Observation Deck
The Baiyoke Tower II is the third tallest building in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district and was built in 1997. At first glance, this old-fashioned skyscraper doesn't seem very special, but the top floor offers a real highlight: a 360-degree rotating viewing platform! In addition to the Baiyoke Sky Hotelª with over 600 rooms, numerous restaurants and a rooftop bar, the tower offers a glazed observation deck on the 77th floor and the fascinating Revolving View Point on the 84th floor at 309 meters. This slowly rotating platform offers you a unique opportunity to get a panoramic view of Bangkok within 8 minutes - without moving a single centimeter!
Chao Phraya boat trip
If you are in Bangkok, you absolutely must plan a boat trip on the glittering Chao Phraya River! Especially in the evening, countless tourists flock to ICONSIAM Pier 4 to take one of the popular dinner cruises. Even if this place has something of a mass processing, in our opinion it is worth experiencing this spectacle once. The ships are modernly equipped, offer seating on several floors and usually have live music or a DJ on board. While the ship sails past the most famous sights, such as the ancient temple of Wat Arun or the Grand Palace, you can help yourself to an unlimited buffet. There are lots of delicious dishes and the service from the Thai crew is first class as usual! As the crowds are so big, there are now numerous providers of river cruises - you can get tickets from as little as 25 euros per person for a 2-hour tour including dinner.
King Power Mahanakhon (Skywalk)
The King Power Mahanakhon is a must-see in Bangkok! The 314-metre-high skyscraper stands out from afar with its Tetris-like shape, which sets it apart from all other skyscrapers in Bangkok. In addition to hotel rooms and stores, the reflective building also has a fascinating 360-degree viewing platform on the 78th floor. A glass floor (= skywalk) has also been built, above which you can walk freely and the world below you suddenly becomes very small! Cars and people look like tiny toy figures from this height - definitely not for people with a fear of heights. Other attractions in the building include a rooftop bar, a Mexican restaurant and an immersive SkyRide, where you can paraglide through a virtual world.
