Wat Arun

Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn) is locally known as Wat Chaeng. It is situated on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River and dates back to the Ayuthaya period. It is believed that after leaving Ayutthaya, during the Burmese invasion, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking. He renamed it Wat Chaeng (Temple of Dawn). During his reign (Thonburi Period), Wat Chaeng was the chief temple, and enshrined the Emerald Buddha and another important Buddha image, the Phra Bang. The temple served as part of his palace.

The main prang with its four smaller prangs was started much later by Rama II in the early part of the 19th century, and completed by his successor Rama III.

Like the bell shaped chedi, the central Prang represents Mount Meru, home of the gods. The four smaller prangs symbolize the four winds. High up on the four smaller towers, you can see a statue of Pai, god of the winds, on his horse.

In the middle of each side of the square formed by the smaller prangs are pavilions containing Buddha images depicting the four stages of the Buddha's life, birth, meditation, preaching and enlightenment. These guard the stairways to the second and third levels of the big prang.

Behind the prang is the temple complex proper. The bot is interesting and decorated on the inside similar to the prang. There are several other small prangs and beautiful gardens in the temple grounds.

The easiest route to Wat Arun by boat. If you take a canal tour by long-tailed boat, a stop at Wat Arun is usually included. Otherwise, take the Chao Phraya River Express to the Tha Thien pier, then transfer to the cross-river ferry, which costs 4 Baht.

Admission to the prang compound is 20 Baht.