Most Spectacular Temples in Asia

Bhutan

Taktsang Palphug Monastery
Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated o the edge of a 3000 foot high cliff in the Paro Valley. Originally built in 1692 and rebuilt after a tragic 1998 fire. The hike from the parking lot to the temple takes about 2 or 3 hours but temple access is sometimes restricted to practicing Buddhists (and sometimes organized tours if tour guides obtain permits in advance). Also known as "Paro Taktsang", "Tiger's Nest", "Paro Taktsang", and "Takstan Monastery". Located in the Paro District of the Paro Valley of Bhutan.
Wikipedia "Paro Taktsang" Article
Tigers Nest Bhutan Web site by Little Bhutan Tours
500 Pixels - 150 Pixels

Cambodia

Angkor Wat
Largest temple in the world. Built in the early 12th century for King Suryavarman II. It stands above the city of Angkor on a raised terrace. It has three rectangular areas rising to a central tower, with each level higher then the last. Originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the God Vishnu, but later it became a Buddhist temple.
- UNESCO "Angkor Archaeological Site" Article
- Wikipedia "Angkor Wat" Article
- WikiTravel "Angkor Archaeological Park" Travel Guide
- Asian Historical Architecture - Angkor Wat
- Sacred Sites - Angkor Wat
- Tourism Cambodia: Angkor Wat

Walls of Ankor Thom
Quadrangle of defensive walls that protected the last capital city of the Khymer empire.
- Wikipedia "Angkor Thom" Article
- Asian Historical Architecture - Angkor Thom South Gate

Bayon Temple
Khmer temple located in the ancient city of Ankor Thom. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries s the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII.
- Wikipedia "Bayon" Article
- Asian Historical Architecture - Bayon Temple

China

Temple of Heaven
Circular Taoist temple in Beijing that was built in the 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, who also built the Forbidden City. The temple is surrounded by a large public park where local residents often practice Tai Chi.
UNESCO "Temple of Heaven" Article
Wikipedia "Temple of Heaven" Article
Temple of Heaven Park - Official Web site

India

Harmandir Sahib / Golden Temple
One of the most visited attractions in Amritsar and the most important and sacred religious shirne of Sikhism. Situated on the edge of a small lake. covered with marble sculptures, gilded with gold, and covered with precious stones. Constructed between the 16th and 19h Centuries.

Temple of Srirangam
Huge temple complex dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu that is located in the city of Tiruchirapalli. Also known as Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. The complex is spread over an area more then 150 acres in size and it has seven concentric walls, the outer-most of which is about 2.5 miles long. The walls enclosed increasingly sacred areas, the inner-most of which is forbidden to non-Hindus. One of the most famous aspects of this temple is its 21 entrances under colorful pyramids, the largest of which is 15 stories and 200 feet high.

Varanasi Hindu Holy City
Situated on the banks of the Ganges River in India.

Lotus Temple
Most famous temple of the Bahai Faith. The temple's flower like shape is formed by 27 free-standing marble petals arrnanged in clusters of 3 to form 9 sides. First opened in 1986. Located in Delhi.

Ranakpur Temple
Jain Temple dedicated to Adinatha. Supported by more then 1444 beautifully carved marble pillers. Probably built in the late 14th to mid 15th centuries.

Indonesia

Borobudor
Huge Buddhist temple with more then 500 Buddha statues and 2700 relief panels. Visitors can walk up the 9 platforms of the temple, a distnace of more then 2 miles. Located on the Island of Java, bout 25 miles northwest of Yogyakarta. Built in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Kongdom of Sailendra using approximately 2 million blocks of stone. The temple was abandoned in the 14th century for unknown reasons, For several centuries Borobudor was hidden in the jungle under layers of volanic ash.
UNESCO "Borobudur Temple Compounds" Article
Borobudur Park "Borobudur Temple" Article
Wikipedia "Borobudur" Article
WikiTravel "Borobudur" Travel Guide
PBS Treasures of the World "Borobudur" Article

Prambanan
Hindu temple in Central Java built in 850 CE. Has eight main shrines and more then 200 smaller shrines. Temple walls are covered with carvings telling the story of Hanuman the Monkey King, the Ramayana, and other stories.
UNESCO "Prambanan Temple Compounds" Article
Borobudur Park "Prambanan Temple Complex" Article
Wikipedia "Prambanan" Article
WikiTravel "Prambanan" Travel Guide

Related Indomesia Resources:
Borobudur Park: Borobudur, Prambanan, Ratu Boko
- Indonesia Travel Guide at "Do It In Asia"
- UNESCO World Heritage sites in Indonesia

Japan

Chion-In Temple
Built in 1234 CE to honor a priest named Honen, the founder of Jodo Budhism. The oldest surviving b7ilding in this temple complex was constructed in the 17th Century. Visitors pass through the largeset gate in Japan, the two-story San-Mon Gate. The temple bell is so heavy - 74 tons - that it requires 17 months to ring it during the New year celebrations.

Kingaku-Ji / Golden Pavilion
One of the most visited tourist attraction in Kyoto. Built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century. converted to a Zen temple by his son. The original was destroyed by a fire set by a young monk in 1950. An exact replica was built on the original site five ye3ars later. Situated on the edge of a reflecting pool.
Wikipedia "Kinkaju-Ji" Article

Lebanon

Baalbek
Temple complex and archaeological site in northeast Lebanon. Has three temples: a Jupiter temple, a Bacchus temple, and a Venus temple. The best preserved is the Temple of Bacchus, built in 15o AD. The largest when the complex was originally built was the Temple of Jupiter, with 54 huge granite columns, each 70 feet tall, 6 of which are still standing.
- UNESCO Baalbek World Heritage Site Article
- Wikipedia "Baalbek" Article
- WikiTravel Baalbek Travel Guide
- Sacred Sites "Baalbek" Article
- Baalbeck International Performing Arts Festival

Myanmar / Burma

Shwedagon Pagoda
Temple that is actually covered with real gold with spires covered with thousands of diamonds and rubies. The temple protects one of Buddhism's holiest relics, eight strands of Buddha's hair. Estimated to have been built between the 6th and 10th centuries.
- Wikipedia "Shwedagon Pagoda" Article
- Shwedagon Pagoda Dot Com
- Shwedagon Dot Org

Thailand

Wat Rong Khun
Ornate, all-white Buddhist temple Also known as the White Temple of Northern Thailnd.
- Wikipedia "Wat Rong Khun" Article

Wat Phra Kaew / Emerald Buddah
Houses one of the most famous Buddah statues in the world, a jade statue wearing golden clothing. Also known as "Temple of the Emerald Buddha". Located on the grounds of the Grand Palace in the Phra Nakhon District, the historic center of Bangkok. (not to be confused with the Wat Phra Kaew Temple i Chiang Rai)
- Wikipedia "Wat Phra Kaew" Article
- History of the Temple of the Emerald Buddah
- Sacred Destinations "Wat Phra Kaew" Article

Tibet

Potala Palace
Main residence of the Dalai Lama until 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala India during the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. Located in Lhasa, the administrative capital city of Tibet. UNESCO ""Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace" World Heritage Site.
- Wikipedia "Potala Palace" Article
- WikiTravel "Potala Palace" Travel Guide
- Tibet Discovery "Potala Palace" Article
- China.org.cn "Potala Palace" Article
- Travel China Guide "Potala Palace" Article
- Sacred Destinations "Potala Palace" Article

Jokhang Temple
Sacred temple situated on Barkhor Square in Lhasa, the administrative capital city of Tibet. Also known as Qokang Monastery, Jokang, Jokhang Temple, Jokhang Monastery and Zuglagkang UNESCO ""Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace" World Heritage Site.
- Wikipedia "Jokhang" Article
- Tibet Discovery "Jokhang Temple Lhasa" Article
- Travel China Guide "Jokhang Temple" Article
- Travel China Guide "Jokhang Temple" Article
- Asian Historical Architecture - Jokhang Temple
- Sacred Destinations "Jokhang Temple" Article

Norbulingka
Traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas from the 1870's throught through the 4th Dalai Lama's exile in 1959. Part of the UNESCO ""Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace" World Heritage Site.
- Wikipedia "Norbulingka" Article
- Tibet Discovery: Summer Palace of Dalai Lama
- China Travel Guide - Norbulingka (Summer Palace)

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