Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan

Wat Arun — the Temple of Dawn — stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok Yai district, and it genuinely earns its reputation as one of Bangkok's most striking landmarks. The central prang rises around 70 metres into the sky, its surface encrusted with thousands of fragments of Chinese porcelain and coloured glass that catch the light differently depending on the time of day.

Up close, the detail is extraordinary — tiny floral patterns and figurines embedded into every surface, a result of painstaking craftsmanship that rewards slow, careful looking.

Getting here is part of the experience. The easiest approach is the short ferry crossing from Tha Tien Pier on the opposite bank, which costs just a few baht and takes under two minutes. From there, the temple entrance on Thanon Wang Doem is a short walk. Admission is 100 baht for foreigners.

The steep steps of the central prang are climbable, though they are genuinely quite vertical — hold the rail and take your time. The views of the river and Wat Pho across the water are worth it.

Dress modestly: shoulders and knees must be covered, and sarongs are available to borrow at the entrance if you need one. Crowds thin noticeably in the early morning, and the soft light around sunrise gives the porcelain an almost iridescent quality — this is when the temple is at its most atmospheric. Midday brings tour groups and fierce heat, so plan accordingly.

The temple looks spectacular from the river at sunset too, particularly from a boat or the terraces of the restaurants on the opposite bank.

Visit early on a weekday morning and bring water — the grounds offer little shade once the sun climbs.