Wat Arun

Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple that served as the royal chapel and formerly housed the Emerald Buddha, one of the foremost icons in the Kingdom of Thailand. Several legends surround its building, including that King Taksin the Great ordered it to be restored after passing it at dawn and seeing the sun glinting off its roof. The present temple was built in the reign of King Rama II, which took place between 1809 and 1824, and the central tower was extended under the reign of Rama III. Although the Emerald Buddha now resides at Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun is still an important site for practicing Buddhists.

In addition to the beautiful and elaborate facade, you’ll also be able to explore the temple complex. There are smaller shrines throughout the area, surrounded by elaborate gardens and water features. You can also climb the central tower of the temple, which is a fantastic 239 feet (73 meters) tall. Be warned though, the steps are narrow and steep so it isn’t an adventure recommended for those who are claustrophobic or afraid of heights. If you do decide to make the climb, however, you’ll be able to enjoy incredible views of the Chao Praya River, Wat Pho, and the Grand Palace.

You can definitely visit Wat Arun without a guide since quite a lot of the things to see are self-explanatory. However, if you want more information about the history of the temple, or about the rituals and religious services which take place inside the temple, it is helpful to visit with a local guide who can provide some more context. There are also many day trips that combine several local sites into one outing, and their guides will help you to travel between the different locations as well as giving you an introduction to each one.

The closest attractions to Wat Arun are just across the river. Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is directly opposite, while the Grand Palace is slightly upriver. There are also a couple of other, less crowded temples, on the same side of the river as Wat Arun. Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan is a short walk away and has beautiful grounds, and Wat Nak Klang is also worth a visit. If you’re interested in seeing how local people use temples during their daily lives then a visit to one of these smaller sites is bound to be interesting. You can also use Wat Arun as a base to join one of the many river cruises that navigate along the Chao Phraya River and enjoy seeing Bangkok from the water.