Wat Arun—the Temple of Dawn—is one of Bangkok's most recognizable symbols. The majestic 79-meter pagoda rises on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, glittering in the sun with thousands of Chinese porcelain shards and colored glass. This is where architecture meets sunrise.

Temple History

The temple existed during the Ayutthaya period under the name Wat Makok. After Ayutthaya's fall, King Taksin made it his royal chapel. The name "Temple of Dawn" relates to Taksin arriving here at dawn after liberating the country from the Burmese.

Architectural Style

The central prang (tower) in Khmer style...