Wat Arun

Welcome to the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the legendary Blood of the Kings. Before you stands one of Thailand’s most recognizable landmarks: Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn. Even if you are visiting in the heat of midday, notice how the temple’s name evokes a sense of renewal. It takes its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often depicted as the charioteer of the sun or the soft radiation of the rising sun. As you look up at the towering white shapes, you are seeing a site that has been sacred since the Ayutthaya period, long before Bangkok became the capital we know today. It was here that a fleeing king once found hope at the break of day, setting the stage for the magnificent structures you see surrounding you. Take a moment to feel the river breeze and ground yourself in this place of transition, where ancient history meets the flowing water of the present.