Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan

An absolutely remarkable cultural landmark. The central prang is intricately decorated and beautifully reflects the sunlight, creating a striking impression from both near and far. Standing by the river, it is not only a masterpiece of Thai craftsmanship but also a place where the city slows down and breathes. Watching the dawn from Wat Arun is an experience that stays with you long after you leave. There are rental shops around Wat Arun and also near the ferry piers, so you can easily dress up just for your visit and photos.

This temple houses the ashes of Thailand’s first King Rama. The boat ride along the river to the temple is enjoyable. You can feed the big catfish with bread sold on the boat for just 20 baht. There isn’t a whole lot to see, and it’s not the most visually stunning temple, but it becomes the perfect photo spot if you rent traditional Thai clothing, make up and take pictures around the grounds. It’ll make for a unique and memorable souvenir. If you visit, make sure to rent the Thai traditional outfit and take photos on-site. Otherwise, it’s just an average photo spot. There’s also a small market nearby selling souvenirs, drinks, snacks, and ice cream, and they accept foreign currencies in addition to Thai baht.

In Bangkok, this is one of the main attractions. Though it can be less crowded in the morning and evening, it is usually packed. This temple is really lovely and distinctive. The opportunity to undertake a traditional Thai picture session is one of the highlights. You can rent them out and wear for only 250 TBH. They also insist on hiring a photographer, but try to negotiate and lower the prices. Whether bathed in the rose‑gold hues of dawn, the fiery blaze of sunset, or the golden floodlights of night, Wat Arun remains a testament to Thailand’s rich cultural heritage—an enduring symbol of renewal and the timeless allure of the “Temple of Dawn.”

Wat Arun Temple located alongside the Chao Praya River is one of the most Thailandesque locations that you can visit. If there is one thing Thailand is known for popularly aside from Elephants and Muay Thai it is temples. Wat Arun is one of the best aesthetic temples you can visit while in Bangkok. •Wat Arun towers with its heritage seen in the intricate temples designed by previous monarchs, with every inch of design and pagodas every detail are meticulously placed and treated with the utmost repsect which contributes to the overall beauty and honor of the place. •Visitors can rent traditional Thai attires for females and males although I suggest you rent early because some are reused all throughout the day. The cheaper the rent cost the dirtier it gets. I highly recommend this place paired with the Wat Pho temple across the Chao Praya as a day tour. I also suggest to be respectful of the people and the places. •Visitors can also be filled with Thai merchandise sold at a market within the Wat Arun complex. It is a treasure trove of trinkets and souvenirs that some can only be found at this location. •The place is quite convenient if you plan on visiting the other temple known for the reclining buddha temple at the other side of the river which can be accessed via boat ride.

The main attraction of Wat Arun is the central prang, with other prangs/pagodas around it. It's a very unique and detailed structure. If you look close enough, you can see each piece of porcelain/other elements. They don't always match, but somehow they make a cohesive and colorful mosaic. Climbing it can be quite an exercise, but it's worth it. The visitors have an option to dress up in traditional Thai clothes and use a professional photographer to take one of the kind picture (for a price of course). I'm not gonna lie, the garments looked stunning and exactly like those in historical lakorns. I was tempted to try them on, but it would take too much time and it was a really hot day. Speaking of which, there are stalls near the temple with foods and refreshments, and it was lovely to drink coconut water in such a heat. I arrived at and departed from Wat Arun by boat, which is a great way to do a bit of sightseeing by itself.

Don’t skip Wat Arun if you plan to take photos in traditional Thai outfits! Best to come around 4 PM or later, it’s less crowded. Entrance fee is 200 baht per person. Outside the temple, there are lots of shops renting outfits at affordable prices. I got a photography package for 2 people at 1800 baht, including free hairdo. I went go-show and luckily got a great photographer who guided all the poses. Totally worth it for the experience and the photos! If you’re thinking about renting heels, better skip it. Most of the heels at the rental shops are worn out and uncomfortable. Plus, your feet rarely show in the photos anyway, so it’s really not worth it!

I visited Wat Arun at the end of 2023. Entrance Fee At the time, the ticket price for foreign tourists was 100 Baht per person (around Rp50,000). Experience Right after entering, you can try a fun fortune-telling activity using bamboo sticks. The bamboo sticks are in a cup, and you shake it until one falls out with a number. Then, you match the number with a printed fortune available nearby. It’s a fun little tradition to try! The Place Wat Arun is quite spacious—though not as massive as Borobudur. There are many traditional-style buildings (like open pavilions), and one area displays photos of former Thai kings where you can pay respects or pray. The most iconic part of this temple is definitely the Reclining Buddha statue 😁—it’s huge and located inside a large pavilion. There are donation boxes nearby, similar to the charity boxes you see in Indonesian temples or mosques. Personal Impression At first, I was super excited since Wat Arun is a 17th-century historical site. I was expecting something similar to Indonesia’s ancient temples like Borobudur (8th century) or Prambanan (9th century), made from volcanic stone. But once I got there, I realized most of the structures, like the towers, were built with bricks, plastered, and decorated with colorful porcelain pieces. Up close, it looks like a bunch of ceramic shards neatly arranged and glued onto the walls—kind of like home decor! Still, I have to say, it looks stunning in photos and videos. Final Thoughts For me personally, visiting once is enough 😄 But if you're into historical places, this one is definitely worth checking out 😊👍

Wat Arun is absolutely stunning — the detailed architecture and colorful tiles amazed me! Climbing the steep steps gave a great view of the river and Bangkok skyline. It’s peaceful, especially in the early morning when it's less crowded. I took a short ferry ride to reach it, which added to the fun. A must-visit if you're in Bangkok for the first time!