Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun’s central prang stands 79 meters high, the tallest Khmer-style spire on the Chao Phraya River, adorned with 1.5 million pieces of Chinese porcelain. Its riverfront location attracts sunset crowds of 3,000 daily, a 20% increase over last year, and the climb of 159 steps rewards with panoramic views. It is 50% less crowded than #3 Wat Pho during midday, while its restoration cost of 200 million baht ($5.7 million) represents a 25% smaller budget than the average major temple project. Night illuminations make it a must-see after dark.