Most visitors photograph Wat Arun from across the river but climbing the prang reveals a completely different temple.
A steep staircase rises up the central prang — the steps are genuinely steep, some almost vertical; the climb rewards with views of the Chao Phraya and Bangkok skyline.
The entire surface of the prang is covered in colourful porcelain and shell pieces — patterns and images created from broken Chinese porcelain donated by locals.
8 AM–6 PM daily; 100 THB entry; uncrowded before 9 AM; the climb is accessible but not suitable for those with vertigo or mobility issues.
Photograph from the east bank opposite at sunset (see Wat Arun sunset guide); visit inside during morning when the light is good for the porcelain detail.
A short cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier near Wat Pho is the standard route — cheap, frequent, and part of the experience rather than just a means of transport.
Shoulders and knees covered as at any temple; the climb itself requires no special footwear, though grip-soled shoes make the steep sections more comfortable.