Wat Arun

Wat Arun

Highlights

At the temple’s entrance stand giant stone statues of guardian deities. Inside, there are five identical stupas—one large and four smaller ones. The main stupa is the 79-meter-tall Brahmin-style spire known as Phra Prang, built in 1809 and often referred to as the “Eiffel Tower of Thailand.” Phra Prang and its four surrounding companion stupas form a grand and beautiful cluster of towers. A staircase inside the main stupa allows visitors to climb up and enjoy panoramic views of the Bangkok cityscape across the Chao Phraya River. Introduction

Wat Arun is one of Thailand’s royal temples, commonly known as Wat Arun Temple or Temple of Dawn. Originally established during the Ayutthaya period and initially named Wat Makok, it was later renamed Wat Chaeng. Wat Arun commemorates King Taksin the Great, the 41st monarch of Thailand and a national hero. A Chinese descendant, Taksin led the Thai people of all ethnicities in resisting foreign invaders and restoring the nation in 1768. The main stupa shrine currently houses a statue and relics of King Taksin, and Chinese-style lanterns hang inside the hall. The annual Royal Todsakitti Festival held in December is the temple’s biggest celebration and also one of the important royal ceremonies in Thailand. Wat Arun is vast in scale, second only to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.

Bangkok, Thailand