Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn is Bangkok’s most recognisable silhouette, a Khmer-style tower studded with broken Chinese porcelain that catches fire at sunset. Climb the steep central prang for the river view, then cross the water and watch it glow pink from the other bank.

• The central prang, a steep climb on worn steps, with the Chao Phraya bending below.
• The porcelain detail, flowers and demons pieced from ballast china; get close, it rewards it.
• The guardian giants, two towering yaksha flanking the ordination hall.
• The view back, from a riverside bar or the Tha Tien bank at dusk, the classic shot.

Sunset is the moment everyone wants; go an hour before it for the climb, then cross back over for the light. Early morning is the quiet alternative, with the sun behind you for photographs.

The cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier takes three minutes and costs small change. It pairs naturally with Wat Pho, directly across the water.