Thailand, Bangkok - Wat Arun(Temple of Dawn)

 

Wat Arun (Wat Arun), which means 'Temple of Dawn', is undergoing renovations as seen in the photo abovein August 2014.

 

Wat Arun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Arun) is on the opposite of Wat Poh with Chao Pharaya River(Chao Phraya River) in between.

 

Most of tourists visit the Royal Palace, Wat Prakaew and Wat Pho in Bangkok.

So, if you are planning to take the similar route and visit Wat Arun, then it can be a good choice to take a boat crossing Chao Pharaya River after visiting Wat Pho.

If you look closely at the map below, then you can find the 'Thai Wang Alley' in front of the North Gate of Wat Pho.

Go straight to the left along the road and you will see a shabby pier(Tha Tian Express Boat Pier). You can take a boat for Wat Arun there.

 

 

  

On the photos above ... Left photo is the pier(Tha Tian Express Boat Pier) on the side of Wat Pho and Right one(Khun Mae Pueak Cross River Ferry Pier) is the landing place on the side of Wat Arun. I am sorry but I took the left photo on our way back from Wat Arun. So it can make  you confused.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I visited here in October 2000, It was not allowed to climb on the main pagoda(prang).

But it's possible to go up there in August 2014.

 

You need to be careful when you go up and down, because the stairs are very steep.

Wat Arun consists of a main pagoda of 70 to 80 meters and four auxiliary pagodas around it, and now only the main pagoda is opened for tourists. (The height of the main pagoda is different depending on the sources. One tells it is 79 meter tall. Otherwise, another tells it is 86 meters tall. So, I don't know the exact height.)

The name 'Arun' is derived from Hindu Aruna meaning "God of Dawn, and the pagodas symbolize Mount Meru(Sumusan) which is the center of the world in Buddhism. 

The architecture of the pagodas was built in Khmer style called 'Prang'.

 

 

As in the name of the 'Temple of Dawn', you can see very spectacular Wat Arun in the sunrise and sunset.

But even if you visit during the daytime, you don't need to be disappointed. You can enjoy the beauty of delicacy of this huge pagodas. Unbelievably, they're decorated by mosaic out of small pieces of porcelain(ceramic tile). So, it is worth to visit at least once during the daytime.

 

 

한글 버전 : 2014/09/29 - [해외여행,출장/태국] - 태국, 방콕 - Wat Arun(왓 아룬)-새벽 사원