Wat Arun in Bangkok or Temple of the Morning Dawn - cobbled together from fragments

The Temple of Morning Dawn (Wat Arun) has a couple of Russian names and one long Thai name, which I will not give here, it is still difficult to remember it. If you say Wat Arun, then everyone will understand what you mean. The place is popular, well-known to many, but for some reason I did not get there right away, then I did not have time, because it got dark, then the ferries did not work. But better late than never. Arun is the Indian god of the dawn, and a temple in his honor. True, many people like to photograph it in the evening after sunset, and not in the morning, since thanks to the illumination, the temple looks very attractive.

The content of the article

one Dawn Temple Wat Arun in Bangkok
2 Information to visit
3 On the map

Dawn Temple Wat Arun in Bangkok

Most of all, of course, in this complex, the high stupa / pagoda / prang is interesting, which can be seen from afar from the other side of the Chao Phraya River. The height of the stupa is under 100 meters (data vary), and it is surrounded by four other smaller stupas. If you climb to the very top, you will see a view of Bangkok, in sunny weather it is very beautiful (still a good view opens from temple Wat Saket nearby). However, it is worth considering that the steps are made here for outdoor enthusiasts, and the stairs are quite steep and narrow. Therefore, many visitors groan and gasp when they climb it. But it will not be easier to descend, or it would be even more correct to say worse. But fortunately, the rope railings are stretched, and there is something to grab onto. I recommend not being afraid and climbing to the very top on the second platform.

Wat Arun in Bangkok

Warriors guard the entrance

You can drink some water, if you do not disdain

Temple of Dawn in Bangkok

Wat Arun temple in Bangkok

They took out his brain along the way

Such umbrellas are in fashion now.

Steep stairs to the very top of the stupa

Steep stairs to the bottom

Piece of yellow rag with messages

View of Bangkok from above

Large composite barge

Flags pulled for the holiday

The entire tower is decorated with fragments of pottery and porcelain, from afar resembling flowers or some kind of patterns. Coming closer, it seems that these are pieces of plates on the walls, funny. There is a version that this porcelain was once transported by Chinese ships as ballast.

Really like shards of cymbals

The saucer is embedded in the wall

Wat Arun is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, it was built in the 17th century, and then reconstructed and completed in height. It seems to be still considered the highest in Thailand. The central stupa symbolizes Mount Meru, and its tiers represent the plurality of worlds. Once there was a statue of the Emerald Buddha, which is now in Wat phra keo across the river.

The Temple of Dawn area does not end with the central pagoda. Nearby are more modern and typical buildings, surrounded by various figures of Buddhas and elephants.

Figures of elephants around the active temple

Figures around the active temple

Much like a burial

Lotus flower, an indispensable attribute

Write wishes on yellow cloth

Coconuts are good at quenching thirst in the heat

Those interested can take a photo in costumes

Or just sit in the shade

You can also add fuel to the fire.

And on the sidelines is the owner of the figures in order to jump out of the ambush for the money at the right time.

Information to visit

The best way to get to the Temple of Morning Dawn is to take a ferry that departs from Tha Tien pier, in fact, everyone does so. The fare is only 3 baht.

But you can also take a ferry to Tha Tien pier, especially if you live somewhere in the area Khaosan. That is, first walk with your feet to the Chao Prayo embankment, along it to the Pra Arthit pier and then swim to Tha Tien for 15 baht. If you don't want to swim, then you can walk right away, from Khao San it will take about 15-20 minutes. Tha Tien pier is between Bangkok Royal Palace and Wat Pho. I wrote in more detail about this variant of the path in the article. Bangkok river channels - or klongs with the breeze!.

I have stayed in Bangkok many times and in different hotels. I will not provide links to all my reviews, I will give only a few. Nasa vegas - convenient for stopping near the airport and metro, Rajata - good place to spend the night near Khaosan, S3 Residense located in the center next to the park.

If you want to find a hotel and live near this place, it is convenient to choose accommodation on RoomGuru, it is a service where you can compare hotel prices in different booking systems.

Working hours Wat Arun from 8.00 to 18.00. Specifically asked, as on different sites, different information. River trams also have their own working hours, but it is more «broad» rather than the opening hours of the temple. Entrance fee 50 baht.