Thiên Mụ claims its spot among the most stunning temple towers in Asia

While Vietnam boasts numerous temple towers, Thiên Mụ stands out as the sole masterpiece to secure a spot in the list of the most beautiful temple towers in Asia, as voted by the renowned travel website Lonely Planet.

Nowhere else on the globe features as many temple towers as in Asia. Some are even adorned with gold, earning Asia the moniker 'Golden East' bestowed by Europeans. From Bali to Bangkok, from Bangkor to Amritsar, many majestic temples and shrines, grandiose in their architecture, were built by ancient civilizations and stand tall to this day. In our Vietnam, our temples are no less impressive than those in any other Asian country, yet only the Thiên Mụ Pagoda in Huế has made it to Lonely Planet's list of the most beautiful temple towers in Asia.

Thiên Mụ Pagoda (Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam)

Perched atop a high hill, overlooking the picturesque Perfume River, just 4km southwest of Huế city. This temple is not only an icon of the ancient capital Huế but also of Vietnam. The octagonal Phước Duyên Tower, standing at 21m tall with 7 stories, was constructed during the reign of Emperor Thiệu Trị in 1844 and remains the most captivating structure for visitors. Additionally, the harmonious blend of architectural marvels with the surrounding nature within the temple grounds is highly praised by tourists.

Angkor Wat Temple (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Angkor Wat stands as a majestic, miraculous, and unparalleled temple within the Angkor complex. We firmly believe it's also the largest religious architectural marvel globally. It's simply unbelievable! One can only fathom how deep the ancient Cambodian spirituality must have been to create such a magnificent structure, enduring through time. Initially dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu from Indian traditions, Angkor Wat later transitioned to Buddhism with the Khmer dynasty.

The Golden Temple (Amritsar, India)

In Asia, many temples boast golden adornments, but none carry the title 'The Golden Temple' quite like the beautiful shrine in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. The Indians utilized a staggering 10,000 tons of gold to embellish this temple. Serving as the sacred site for the Sikh faith, it was constructed in the 16th century, witnessing four generations of leaders before its completion. In 1974, the temple underwent significant restoration. In the early 19th century, elder leader Jassa Singh Ahluwalia commanded the entire dome and walls to be covered in gold.

Shwedagon Paya (Yangon, Myanmar)

Not only Indians but also the people of Myanmar know how to 'live large.' They not only gild the exterior of the temple with gold but also embellish the top of the largest spire with 5448 diamonds and 2317 rubies. Starting from the reign of Queen Shin Sawbu, the most significant offering involves purchasing thin gold sheets crafted by skilled Myanmar artisans and presenting them to the temple for adorning the tower's body. Additionally, the temple houses four sacred treasures: the staff of Buddha Gotama, Buddha Kanakamuni's water filter, and a robe of Buddha Kassapa, along with four strands of hair from Buddha Kondañña.

Borobudur Temple (Borobudur, Indonesia)

Situated in Central Java, Borobudur Temple was constructed from the 8th to 9th century by the deeply Buddhist Sailendra dynasty. Abandoned for a decade after the dynasty's collapse, it was rediscovered in 1814 by a European scientific expedition sent by the Dutch. Comprising 2 million stones from base to the top of its towers, though not in its original state, it has never failed to meet the expectations of any traveler making the arduous journey here.

Jokhang Temple (Lhasa, China)

This 1300-year-old temple serves as the spiritual heart of all Tibet. Daily, waves of devoted pilgrims converge here, making it the epitome of religious dedication. The Great Hall was constructed in the 7th century during the zenith of its prosperity under King Songtsen Gampo. Many worship items within the temple were brought by two princesses, Wen Cheng (China) and Bhrikuti Devi (Nepal), who became the wives of King Songtsen Gampo. This architectural ensemble blends Indian, Nepalese, and Tang Dynasty Chinese influences.

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Kyoto, Japan)

Another golden temple of Asia, Kinkaku-ji is a symbol of Japanese culture. Built in 1397 as a retirement villa for General Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it was later transformed into a temple by his son. In 1950, the temple suffered arson by a monk who attempted suicide but was prevented. The monk's mother later committed suicide by jumping into a river after interrogation. The monk died in prison in 1956. After the fire, the temple was reconstructed, adding a two-story golden layer.

Bodhnath Stupa (Bodhnath, Nepal)

The first construction of Bodhnath Stupa dates back to 600 AD, commissioned by King Songtsen Gampo following his conversion to Buddhism. Legend has it that this structure symbolizes the king's remorse after accidentally killing his father. However, Mughal invasions in the 14th century led to its destruction. The present stupa was reconstructed recently. Bodhnath stands as the world's largest stupa, with a diameter exceeding 100m, stretching from one wall to the other, almost equivalent to a soccer field. Its exterior architecture is profoundly symbolic of Buddhist teachings.

Khajuraho Temple (Khajuraho, India)

If someone is sensitive to explicit content, they should avoid visiting Khajuraho Temple, as it will make them blush endlessly. Its worship is dedicated to sexuality itself. Khajuraho was once a cluster of 85 temples, now reduced to 22. The temples are adorned with an abundance of sculptures, reliefs, and paintings depicting scenes of intimate encounters between couples or groups. Additionally, numerous reliefs depict goddesses and celestial dancers, contributing to the origin of the Kamasutra, the ancient Indian guide to lovemaking. Its largest temple, Lakshmana, took 20 years to complete.

Wat Pho Temple (Bangkok, Thailand)

Also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, it houses a 46m-long, 15m-high gold-plated reclining Buddha statue. The statue's eyes and feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The soles of the Buddha's feet depict the 108 auspicious symbols of Buddha Gautama. Moreover, it boasts over a thousand images of Buddha, more than any other temple worldwide. In 1962, a school teaching traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage was established within the temple grounds, making it the birthplace of Thai massage. If you want to learn Thai massage authentically, this is the place to be.

Prambanan Temple (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

This is the largest Hindu temple complex in Java. The primary material shaping these towers is volcanic stone. Prambanan was constructed in the 9th century by King Rakai Pikatan, during the dominance of Hinduism in Java, approximately 50 years after Borobudur. However, its construction remains a mystery. Initially, it had a total of 244 towers. Candi Shiva Mahadeva, dedicated to the deity Shiva, though not the largest, remains the most intact to this day. Prominent in Prambanan's sculptures is the face of Kala, the symbol of death, adorning the main entrance of the temples.

Punakha Dzong Monastery (Punakha, Bhutan)

Built by the revered Lama Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan, around 1637-1638. It stands as the second oldest and one of the most magnificent monasteries in Bhutan. Once the administrative center of Bhutanese dynasties until the capital moved to Thimphu in 1955. Nestled at the confluence of the Mo and Pho rivers in the Wangdue Valley, Punakha Dzong exhibits mesmerizing scenery, especially during the lilac blossom season.

          As per Traveltimes.vn

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour