Known as the Temple of the Dawn, Wat Arun is an impressive temple to view from a distance. It is on the ‘wrong' side of the river, i.e. the Thonburi side, and is a seventeenth century temple named after Aruna, the Indian God of the Dawn. Originally known as Wat Chaeng and renovated started during the reign of King Rama 11 and complted in the reign of King Rama 1V. King Taksin made it a royal temple when Thonburi was the capital of the country, because it was the first temple to catch the rays of the rising sun. The Emerald Buddha was housed here at one time. The main Khmer-style prang (steeple) is 104 metres high and the terraces at its base can be climbed by means of steep steps. It is covered with porcelain previously used as ballast by ships visiting from China. Located across the river from Tha Thien Pier.
Buses no. 19, 40, 56, 57, 83 and 149 pass near by. From Khao San Road, take bus no. 56, or take an express boat from Phra Arthit pier to Tha Tien (or walk there) and then a ferry across the river to the temple. From Sukhumvit Road, take a bus no. 40 to near the temple, or bus no. 25 or air-conditioned no. 8 to Tha Tien (which is the terminus for those two buses) and then a ferry. From Hualampong Station, take a bus no. 40 to near the temple, or bus no. 25 or 53 to Tha Tien and then a ferry.
