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Wat Arun
Culture & history

Culture & history

Our most recommended Wat Arun Culture & history

Bangkok: City Highlights Temple and Market Walking Tour

1. Bangkok: City Highlights Temple and Market Walking Tour

Meet the group at River City Bangkok by 9:00 AM and head to the Emerald Buddha Temple by local transport. Along the way, pass by the amulet market, one of the most famous, historical community markets of Rattanakosin Island. Discover the first stop of Wat Phra Kaew which is commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. It is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.  Explore the Grand Palace which was the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year.  After the Grand Palace, continue to visit Wat Pho, if you've selected this option. On the way, pass Tha Thien Market, a cultural food market that sells dried, salted seafood and wholesale products. Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho. It is on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of first-class royal temples. Learn about King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site and how it became his main temple where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple is considered the earliest center for medical public education surrounded by the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions. It has been recognized by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. Most importantly, it is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple today. Complete the list of must-visit temples in Bangkok by continuing your journey to Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), one of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks. The temple is known for its giant 70-meter tower next to the Chao Phraya River and is decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass surrounded by Chinese porcelain.

Bangkok: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with 24, 48 or 72-Hour Validity

2. Bangkok: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with 24, 48 or 72-Hour Validity

Discover Bangkok's gorgeous attractions at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus pass. Choose between passes valid for unlimited use for 24, 48, or 72 hours, and create your own flexible itinerary to see what you want to see. With the option of indoor or open-air seating on the double-decker bus, you can soak up views of the city how you please. As you go, listen to an informative audio guide available in 7 languages as you use the unlimited pass to ride the bus towards your next destination. The route is designed to both be awe-inspiring and time-effective. It combines prominent, must-see historical, religious, and cultural sights with modern lifestyle stops in Bangkok that you just can't miss. Buses depart every 60 minutes from the first bus stop from 9 AM until 3.00 PM, and the route from the first stop to the last stop takes around 3–3.5 hours. BUS STOPS • Siam Paragon • MBK Center • Samyan Mitrtown/Wat Hualumpong • Golden Buddha Temple/ Wat Trai Mit • China Town • Grand China Hotel/Dragon Temple Kammalawat • Loha Prasat/Pra Tu Phee • Khao San Road • Giant Swing • Wat Pho • Sanamluang/Royal Grand Palace • Wat Rakhangkhositaram • Wat Arun Rajvararam • ICONSIAM • Mahanakorn Skywalk • Patpong Night Market Customer Service Number/ whatsapp +66 64181 1234

Bangkok: Wat Pho and Wat Arun Guided Walking Tour

3. Bangkok: Wat Pho and Wat Arun Guided Walking Tour

Enjoy a short walking tour around Bangkok with an experienced guide. Visit some of the city’s most famous landmarks in just three hours and choose from multiple start times to ensure flexibility within your schedule. Follow your guide as you venture to the world-famous Wat Pho. Witness the remarkable 46-meter long reclining Buddha statue and colorful mosaic shrines. Be in awe of one of the most stunningly aesthetic temples in Bangkok. See the famed Buddha statue and walk around the impressive temple grounds. Continue your journey to Wat Arun, a 300-year old temple known for its enormous white Chedi inlaid with thousands of colorful mosaic pieces. Located at the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this temple is a magnificent landmark seen around the city.

Bangkok: Markets, Temples and Food Night Tour by Tuk Tuk

4. Bangkok: Markets, Temples and Food Night Tour by Tuk Tuk

Discover the beauty of Bangkok by night, and visit sites that most tourists only see during the daytime. Zip thorugh the streets of Bangkok in the back of a tuk-tuk and stop to try some delicious food and drinks. Visit sights like the Wat Prayoon (a UNESCO awarded temple), the flower market, and Chinatown. Take a walk through local Bangkok night markets, such as the 24-hour flower market that comes to life as the night goes on. You may even be surprised with stops at places you’ve never heard of! While the temple buildings may be closed at night the grounds are often beautifully lit up at night and you will walk around Wat Prayoon which is a UNESCO awarded temple for the cultural heritage. You’ll also stop to sample some of the best food in the city, whether that be random snacks in a market, some of the city’s best local food, or dessert in Chinatown. You certainly won’t go hungry, so there’s no need to eat beforehand! Vegetarian food options are available throughout the tour. During most of the tour you’ll get around by tuk tuk, and traveling at night should mean a lot less traffic and cooler temperatures than during the day.

Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun Private Tour

5. Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun Private Tour

Immerse yourself in local culture on a guided tour to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple. Travel in a comfortable car and have the option to expand your experience with options that include visits to the Wat Pho and Wat Arun temples. Journey to the old part of Bangkok and discover Wat Phra Kaew which is commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. It is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.  Explore the Grand Palace which was the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is still used for official events. After the Grand Palace, continue to visit Wat Pho, if you've selected this option.  Pass the Tha Thien Market, a food market that sells dried, salted seafood and wholesale products. Travel to Wat Pho by private car, a local Tuk Tuk, or take a scneic stroll there.  Discover the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho (depending on the option you select). It is on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples and has been recognized by UNESCO. Continue your journey to Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn). On this trip, you will also get to experience a local shuttle boat which takes you across the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun.  Pick to option to visit Wat Arun and see this temple which is famous for its giant tower which is next to the Chao Phraya River, standing 70 meters high. The temple is decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass surrounded by Chinese porcelain. After a fun cultural half-day out at any option selected, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Bangkok safely.

Bangkok: Full-Day Customized Tour with Local Transportation

6. Bangkok: Full-Day Customized Tour with Local Transportation

Explore Bangkok with a private guide and enjoy the flexibility of a customized tour. Visit major sightseeing attractions, eat good street food, discover the flower market, take a little canal boat tour, or simply bargain better at the shopping malls like MBK Center or Platinum. Begin your customized private journey of Bangkok by meeting your guide at the hotel lobby. Benefit from an itinerary that can be altered and adjusted according to your interests. Your licensed tour guide will give you a personalized experience in this amazing Bangkok city. Get to know the local way of life a little better by making use of various public transportation systems to get from place to place. There will be Skytrain, underground metro, bus, taxi, Tuk Tuk, and canal boat for you to choose from. Explore Rattanakosin Island to see the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho or Wat Arun. Check out the famous Khao San Road or Chatuchak Weekend Market. Be hassle-free and let the guide arrange things for you to enjoy the fascinating city at its best.

Bangkok: Hop On Hop Off Tuk Tuk & Boat Chao Phraya River

7. Bangkok: Hop On Hop Off Tuk Tuk & Boat Chao Phraya River

Make the most out of your time in Bangkok by getting a 1-day unlimited Hop on Hop off on pass for both Tuk Tuk Hop and Tourist Boat. Jump on the iconic Tuk Tuk and explore the Rattanakosin Island area which is the old Town of Bangkok. Hop on the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat for an exclusive experience along Chao Phraya River, the longest and most important river in Thailand. Travel around Bangkok’s Old Town area in a Tuk Tuk with this unique, fun and flexible hop-on, hop-off tour. These three-wheeled motorized vehicles are the most convenient way of traveling around the city as it zips through the traffic and takes tourists to their favorite attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Khaosan Road, China Town, and many more. Together with a Hop-on Hop-off Pass for the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, you will get to experience the scenery from both sides of the river and can easily hop on to ride along the lifeblood of Bangkok, formally known as the Chao Phraya River. Experience a number of tourist attractions scattered around numerous piers along the river from the old Town to the busy central business district of Sathorn. For instance, the National Museum of Royal Barges, Wat Arun, Asiatique The Riverfront, Lhong 1910, and River City. By selecting this tour, you can skip the hassle by avoiding traffic jams and expensive Tuk Tuk prices offered on the streets.

Bangkok: Evening Tour with Wat Arun, Wat Pho & Tuk Tuk Ride

8. Bangkok: Evening Tour with Wat Arun, Wat Pho & Tuk Tuk Ride

Bangkok by day can be hot and sweaty, so why not wait until nighttime falls to explore the city? As the crowds disperse, you’ll get a new view of the Thai capital that many visitors miss. With an action-packed itinerary in store, you’ll start with a leisurely stroll along Maha Rat Road. Learn about the story of Rattanakosin Island and glimpse The Grand Palace from the outside. Next, you’ll visit one of Bangkok’s best-loved attractions Wat Pho, which is home to the magnificent reclining Buddha and a serene ambiance that contrasts with the city's nocturnal buzz. After marveling at the gleaming Buddha, board a ferry and cross the river to head to Wat Arun. This iconic riverside temple, adorned with intricate porcelain and seashell mosaics, stands as a testament to Thailand's rich history and spirituality, offering a tranquil contrast to the city's bustling nightlife. Head back via ferry and take a tuk-tuk ride to experience the vibrant atmosphere in Chinatown. Wander along Yaowarat Road, taking in the buzzing streets, numerous street food stalls, local eateries, and more.

Bangkok: Customize Your Own Private Bangkok City Tour

9. Bangkok: Customize Your Own Private Bangkok City Tour

Explore Bangkok your way on a half-day or full-day trip with your own private driver and an optional guide. This fully customizable experience gives you the freedom to create your own Bangkok itinerary according to your preferences and priorities.  Get picked up in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to start your day, then start exploring. Travel with a driver only or enrich your trip by choosing to be accompanied by a personal tour guide who will be able to share tidbits of history and culture with you at your chosen destinations. Bangkok is a vibrant metropolis jam-packed with activities and things to do. Whether it’s going temple hopping, walking around the alleyways of Chinatown, or strolling around its bustling markets, you can never run out of things to do, see, and experience in this eclectic city. At checkout, simply indicate the three to four attractions you want to see, with a few additional sights so that your driver or guide has several options to craft the best schedule for you based on geography and diversity. If you don’t know where to start, highly recommended highlights are the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Chinatown (Yaowarat), and the Jim Thompson House.

Bangkok: 2-Hour Dinner & Shows on White Orchid River Cruise

10. Bangkok: 2-Hour Dinner & Shows on White Orchid River Cruise

Explore the lights of Bangkok from the Choa Phraya river on a night river cruise. Savor authentic Thai and delicious international cuisine with a buffet dinner. Sip on a welcome drink, tea, and coffee as you pass the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Listen to live music and watch an thrilling cabaret show.  Start your Bangkok river cruise by checking in at the meeting point at the River City Complex. Board the White Orchid Cruise Ship and have a welcome drink while you enjoy a classical Thai dance as the cruise starts along the Chao Phraya River. Along the journey, have a chance to observe Bangkok's remarkable sights light up in the dark, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), and many more. Enjoy a buffet dinner with a great variety of delightful dishes ranging from traditional Thai to Western cuisines, followed by desserts. While enjoying your food, be entertained with a live music performance and a Cabaret show on board. After dinner, you can take the opportunity to observe the sights flowing by on the river banks by relaxing on the open-air deck to marvel at a 360-degree view of Bangkok from the Choa Phraya river by night. Arrive back at the River City pier to enjoy the rest of your evening in Bangkok.

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What people are saying about Wat Arun

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 770 reviews

We missed the first trip due to traffic, was so easy to call up and rebook for the later tour! Such an interesting tour- Mam was lovely. She even managed to get us into the temple although it had gone over slightly past closing- would recommend 100% to know extra information about each part of the temples.

Very nice to be guided around the tempels and get some insights to Thailand, the temples and their history. Included a coconut and some sweet potato balls and a ferry ride to the other side of the canal. Lovely guide, Mam.

Thank you to our tour guide. He was very helpful and gave detailed stories and history of the Temples. It was fun! And, also, thank you for the free Buko Juice.♥️

With Kann we had a great tour guide who showed us Bangkok with a lot of commitment and knowledge. Thank you for 2 great days

Simply put: excellent! You see and experience a lot, in just one day! Many memories to share also with family and friends.