Wat Arun stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya opposite Bangkok's old royal district. Its central prang, faced with fragments of porcelain, is the feature that makes the riverside view unmistakable.
The temple was known as Wat Makok in the Ayutthaya period. King Rama II began its major reconstruction and King Rama III completed the work, including the central prang and surrounding towers.
Its name, Temple of Dawn, refers to the Hindu deity Aruna, not to a claim that sunrise is the only worthwhile time to visit.
From the river, the prang defines the skyline. Up close, look for the floral porcelain mosaic and the smaller corner prangs. This is an active royal temple: dress respectfully and check the temple's current visitor rules before relying on a fixed schedule.