Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark. - Rabindranath Tagore

Wat Arun - Temple of the Dawn

Wat Arun is named after the Indian god of dawn "ARUNA". It is a prominent Bangkok landmark and consists of a massive 104m high elongated Phra Prang (Khmer-style tower) which is surrounded by four smaller prangs. The larger finger like spire is raised on a series of terraces and is decorated with embedded pieces of multicoloured porcelain.

Four staircases and two publicly accessible balconies are a feature on the outside of the Phra Prang, affording panoramic views of Bangkok and the Royal Palace on the far side of the river. The name of this temple literary means "Temple of the Dawn" but the most beautiful view of it can be seen from the east side of the river at sunset.

Temple of the Dawn seen from the Chaopraya river

King Taksin chose Wat Arun for his Royal Temple and Palace and the Emerald Buddha was first housed here after it was recaptured from Laos before being move to Wat Phra Kaew in 1785. King Rama II and King Rama III reconstructed and enlarged the main Phra Prang to its present height of 104 meters. King Taksin's statue is afforded a prominent place nearby.

Statue of King Taksin

The imposing style of the Khmer-style “Phra Prang” or tower is quite different to other temples, making it an imposing Bangkok landmark. The pagoda is very high. You can walk up if you're not scared of the height when you walk down or, should I say: climb down.

The staircases are very steep and Russell has to steady himself on the stairs above

From the second balcony, the height may provoke feelings of vertigo

Much of the decorative material for the temple came to Bangkok as ballast on boats that had arrived from China. These range from the broken porcelain plates, bowls, cups and saucers used to decorate the walls to the Chinese statues dotted around the temple.

The chedi is decorated with thousands of pieces of porcelain

Look closely at the intricate temple ornaments, and these are mainly made of porcelain pieces - yes cups, saucers and plates. Recycled broken ceramics.

An example of the porcelain decoration

We are able to climb to the second balcony, but there are still three balconies above which are inaccessible to the public.

Three inaccessible balconies above

But even from the second balcony (half way up the Phra Prang and above the smaller Chedi's) the view is astounding.

The view down to the river from the chedi

The views from any standpoint are spectacular and across the river, one is able to see the Royal Palace and Wat Pho.

From the highest publicly accessible balcony, the Royal Palace can be seen

Getting back down the Phra Prang is not as easy as going up. The steep stairway means you must make sure you have a good grip on the handrails and watch your step.

Getting down to the ground is not so easy on the steep staircase