Buzz
1. Haeinsa - South Korea
The renowned Haeinsa Temple, also known as Haein Temple, was built in 802 and is located on Mount Gaya, ranking among the top Buddhist temples in South Korea. Haeinsa is famous not only for its outstanding architecture but also for housing the Tripitaka Koreana – a collection of ancient Buddhist scriptures engraved on wooden blocks. The Tripitaka Koreana consists of over 81,258 wooden blocks with Buddhist scriptures engraved on them and has been preserved here since 1398. The Janggyeong Panjeon building at Haeinsa (where the Buddhist scriptures are kept) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, making it one of the nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in South Korea.
Haeinsa Temple not only attracts Buddhist devotees from within the country for pilgrimage and meditation but also draws a large number of tourists and scholars from around the world. Currently, there are nearly 500 monks residing at the temple, dedicated to studying and preserving the Tripitaka Koreana.
2. Wat Rong Khun - Thailand
5. Angkor Wat - Cambodia
Angkor Wat - Cambodia: A magnificent temple complex in Cambodia, spanning 162.6 hectares, constructed in the 12th century by the Khmer people. It is one of the most significant historical sites in Cambodia, considered the pinnacle of Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world, and is regarded as one of the architectural masterpieces of the world.
6. Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) - India
The Golden Temple, built since the 16th century, features a roof adorned with precious stones and gold, situated on an artificial island in Punjab, India. It is the holiest shrine for Sikhs worldwide. Visitors are mesmerized by the sight of 100 kilograms of gold used to embellish the domes and outer facade of the Harmandir Sahib.
7. Tiger’s Nest Monastery - Bhutan
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, is a famous Buddhist temple nestled on the cliffs of the Paro Valley in Bhutan, amidst the Himalayas. Situated over 3000 meters above sea level, visitors must trek or ride horses to reach this sacred site comfortably. The misty surroundings and scenic views along the trekking path to the monastery resemble a picturesque landscape painting. The monastery, perched on the majestic cliffs, consists of four main temples and intricately designed residential areas, adapted to the terrain of the rocky cliffs and caves. Surrounding the monastery area are eight caves, with four easily accessible to visitors while the rest are more challenging to reach. The temples are connected by stone-paved pathways, each adorned with balconies providing ideal spots for visitors to admire the breathtaking Paro Valley below. Therefore, visiting this monastery is a must-have experience for travelers in Bhutan.
8. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - India
This Hindu temple is situated in the city of Srirangam, India, and stands as one of the most sacred and significant sites for the worship of the god Vishnu in Hinduism. Adorned with sculptures depicting the forms of ancient mystical deities of India, the temple spans a vast area with seven concentric walls, the outermost of which extends 4 km. In total, this tower temple boasts 21 tower columns, the largest of which consists of 15 tiers and stands 60 meters tall. Its colorful exterior makes it a top destination for tourists, especially those following the Buddhist faith. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple annually welcomes millions of tourists and researchers in culture and religion. Visitors are sure to be awestruck by the magnificent, intricate, and beautiful architecture of the temple.
9. Prambanan Temple - Indonesia
Prambanan is a vast complex of Buddhist and Hindu temples, the largest in Southeast Asia, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1991. Built in the 10th century, it comprises three 47-meter-high temples, each dedicated to one of the three gods: Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. Prambanan attracts tourists with its towering architecture and numerous sharp spires, epitomizing the architecture of Hindu temples with a tall central shrine within a separate temple complex. This temple worships the three primary gods: the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer. Prambanan boasts a total of 240 large and small towers with impressive architectural structures and decorations, providing ample opportunities for tourists to explore, admire, and discover. It is a testament to the millennia-old history of Indonesia.
Boudhanath Stupa - Nepal
For centuries, Boudhanath Stupa has been a sacred site for pilgrims from Tibet and Nepal. This colossal structure, one of the largest stupas globally, sits on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Standing 36 meters tall with a diameter exceeding 100 meters, it spans the length of a football field. In 1979, UNESCO recognized Boudhanath Stupa as a World Heritage Site.
