Bangkok is a capital city of Thailand and there
are a lot of things that very attractive in Bangkok such as old temples,
palaces, historic site, and street foods. Therefor Bangkok become a tourist
attraction that traveler from everywhere in the world want to go there.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam everyone also know is Wat Arun meaning Temple of Dawn, is also know locally as Wat Chaeng. The temple, which is named after the Indian God Aruna (God of Dawn) sits majestically on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River and is easily one of the most recognizable and memorable landmarks of Bangkok’s skyline.
Wat Arun housed the highly revered Emerald Buddha for a short stint before King Rama I took it to Wat Phra Kaew, right across the river. In 1779, the figurine was brought from the capital of Laos to what was then the capital of Thailand and stayed in Wat Arun for five years. It was at this time that the capital was switched to Bangkok from Thonburi.
The prang, or tower, that sits at the temple’s core is Khmer in style. Much of the temple also reflects Chinese architecture. The prang stands at some 82 meters tall, but it did not always rise as high over the river as it does today.
The prang’s construction began during the reign of King Rama II. He did not manage to live long enough to see it completed, however, King Rama III finished the structure to look as it does today. At first, it only stood a few meters tall.
The central prang was extended during the reign of Rama III and is now one of the most visited sites in Thailand.
It was also Rama III who added the decoration of the spires with porcelain so
that they glimmer in the sunshine.
Visitors are welcome to climb up to the middle level of the prang (grand pagoda) and those that do are rewarded with a beautiful view of the winding Chao Phraya River below as well as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on the opposite bank of the river.
The most spectacular view of the glittering monument can be seen from the east side of the river at sunset as Wat Arun’s colorfully decorated spires sparkle radiantly over the water.
Other things to see at Wat Arun:
- Next to the pagodas is the Ordination Hall with the Niramitr Buddha image, said to have been designed by King Rama II. King Rama II crafted the face of the Buddha image out of wood and then covered the design in gold leaf.
- Wat Arun has the most beautiful Boundary stone and tower in Thailand. This stone can be seen around Wat Arun’s Ordination Hall. The boundary stone was crafted entirely out of marble.
- Mural paintings inside the Ordination Hall tell the story of Buddha’s life before he became Lord Buddha.
The main Buddha image at the temple is said to have been designed by Rama II himself. Believe that The ashes of Rama II are interred in the base of the presiding Buddha image.
Wat Arun in Bangkok
Location: 158 Wang Doem Road, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8am to 5.30pm
Admission Price: Entry to the temple is 50 Baht
Phone: +66 (0)2 891 2185
Best way to get to Wat Arun
- Take BTS train and get off at Saphan Taksin station.
- Walk (about 1 min) to Central pier (or Sathorn pier) and take Chao Phraya Tourist Boat to No.8 Tha Tien pier.
- Get off at No. 8 Tha Tien pier and take the Wat Arun tourist boat to the opposite side of the river where the temple is located (the fare is 3 Baht).
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