Wat Arun

With its 80m high 'prang' towering over the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, is my favourite temple in Bangkok.

Wat Arun was built in the early 19th Century during the reigns of the Kings Rama II and III, when the capital was located on the temples side of the river, opposite to where it is now.

The construction of Wat Arun is a little different to most of the other temples in the city, with the surface covered in colourful pieces of broken porcelain from China.

Apparently the bits of crockery came from the ballast of ships that were visiting the city to trade. An early example of the benefits of recycling!

The little pieces form beautiful designs such as flowers and shells and is incredibly striking both from a distance as the sun reflects of them at all angles as well as upclose where you can appreciate the craftsmanship.

It is a steep climb, but the view of the river and the city that awaits you makes it well worth the effort. It is truly spectacular.

Combine all this with the various unusual statues and figurines, the cool breeze that blows off the river and the grassy areas and trees of the surrounds and you have an amazing, special place worth visiting over and over again.