The central prang at a glance
The central prang is the main tower of Wat Arun. Four smaller prangs stand around it. The walls are set with sea shells, glazed ceramic shards and pieces of Chinese porcelain, which form patterns such as flowers. Up close, the surface looks like a mosaic.
Height figures range from 66.8 m to 81.85 m, so treat the height as a range rather than a fixed number. Visitors can use the lower terrace only. The upper steps are closed, so do not plan a climb to the top. Your Wat Arun ticket gets you into the grounds, and the base of the tower is the part everyone can reach.
The prang belongs to a royal Buddhist temple. It is not an observation tower, and the visit is a walk through a temple compound with a very large monument at its center.
Our pick: by boat to the prang
This boat tour takes you to Wat Arun by water, where the central prang is the main sight.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wat Arun tours and river views
Guided temple visits, boat trips that pass the prang and evening cruises, with live prices and availability.
What the decoration is made of
The prang is covered in small pieces: sea shells, glazed ceramic shards and fragments of Chinese porcelain. Together they form floral patterns across the tiers. From the courtyard the tower reads as one shape. From the base you see that each pattern is assembled from small parts.
The steps are decorated too, and gold figures sit on some of them. Take a few minutes at the base before you decide where to stand.
Visitors are asked not to touch or damage the prang. The pieces are fragile, so keep your hands off the surface and do not lean on it.
How tall is the prang
Several figures are in use: 81.85 m from the base to the tip, over 80 m, 82 m and 66.8 m. Treat the height as a range, from about 67 m to about 82 m, rather than choosing one.
For your visit the figure changes nothing. You see the tower from below, from the courtyard and from the river, and you reach the lower terrace.
The tower grew in phases. A major renewal falls under King Rama II, the large prang under King Rama III, and the completion is placed in the time of King Rama IV. There is no single year to quote. The history of Wat Arun explains the sequence, and a restoration ran from September 2013 to August 2017.
What you can reach on the prang
Access in 2026. Check the arrangement at the gate on your day.
| Part | Access | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Courtyard and base | Open to visitors | Walk around the central prang and the four smaller ones |
| Lower terrace | Open to visitors | The steps are tall, steep and in places narrow |
| Upper steps | Closed | Do not plan a climb higher |
| Top of the tower | Not reachable | No view from the full height of the tower |
For most visitors, the plan is the base and the lower terrace, with the full tower seen from the courtyard and the river. Wear shoes with grip. The dress code page lists what to wear for the steps.
Where to see the whole tower
Distance helps, because the prang is easiest to take in from afar.
From Tha Tien on the east bank
The pier and the area around Wat Pho face the temple across the river. Visitors look over the water to the tower from here, and the east bank is a known spot for sunset photos.
Getting there →From a boat
River and canal tours pass the temple, and the water gives you a view of the whole shape. High water can change a route, so ask the operator whether your boat passes the temple.
River cruises →After dark
The prangs are lit in the evening, with the lights coming on at about 18:00 or 18:30. You see them from outside, and the paid area closes at 18:00.
Wat Arun at night →Up close
Come into the courtyard for the detail of the decoration. Shells, shards and porcelain are easiest to make out from the base of the tower and from the lower terrace.
Wat Arun tours →The Wat Arun prang: frequently asked questions
How tall is the Wat Arun prang?
Figures in use are 81.85 m, over 80 m, 82 m and 66.8 m. Treat it as a range of roughly 67 to 82 m.
Can I climb to the top of the prang?
No. Visitors can use the lower terrace only, and the upper steps are closed. Do not plan around a climb to the top.
What is the decoration made of?
Sea shells, glazed ceramic shards and pieces of Chinese porcelain, set in patterns such as flowers.
How many prangs are there?
One central prang and four smaller ones around it.
Are the steps difficult?
They are tall, steep and in places narrow. Wear shoes with grip, take your time and do not touch the decoration.
Is this the official website of the temple?
No. wat-arun.org is an independent travel guide with no connection to the temple or the Tourism Authority of Thailand.