7 of the Most Beautiful Temples in Asia

Set among dense jungle greenery, the intricate towers of the main Hindu Buddhist temple rise above the calm waters of its surrounding moat. The 12th-century complex is considered the largest religious structure in the world, and it’s easy to spend hours marveling at the delicate bas-relief carvings that display scenes from Hindu epics.

Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise to take in the drama of the vast structure, or opt for a multi-day tour to explore even more of the 400-acre (162-hectare) complex. You may want to visit on bikes or via tuk-tuk to cover more ground.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Angkor Wat

The largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur is a harmonious blend of Indian Gupta art and Indigenous Indonesian influences. The main structure is a huge stepped temple covered in over 500 statues of Buddha and carvings which depict Buddhist cosmology.

The surrounding landscape adds drama to the scene, as the temple is set between two volcanoes, which can be visited on tours of the complex. A sunrise visit is perfect for photo opportunities to snap the temple highlighted against the slowly brightening sky.

The golden walls of Harmandir Sahib seem to light up from within, reflecting off the surface of the tranquil pool that surrounds the building. This Sikh temple has a long and resilient history, and today stands as a testament to the central Sikh beliefs of equality and selfless service.

Apart from the physical beauty of its gold-covered walls, this temple curates a sense of peace and hospitality. It’s been rebuilt many times in the wake of religious persecution and is open to visitors from all backgrounds and walks of life. Its community kitchen even offers free vegetarian meals to pilgrims.

On the grounds of this Buddhist temple in Japan, you’ll find a 44-foot (13-meter) statue of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, which depicts Amitabha, the Buddha of Eternal Life. Thanks to the statue’s closed eyes and relaxed hands, you’ll feel enveloped by the peace of the temple. While the statue you can visit today is bronze, the site was first home to a giant wooden statue, which was eventually destroyed by a storm. Now, you can enter the hollow statue and visit the attached temple buildings.

The beauty of this remote Tibetan Buddhist temple is just as dramatic as its name. The temple complex is perched on a craggy mountainside, only accessible by hike or horseback ride. The temple's secluded, distant cliffside location draws just as many visitors as the temple itself—especially experienced hikers.

One story tells that Guru Rinpoche (an 8th-century Buddhist master) was carried to the spot on the back of a flying tiger. Today, colorful flags and white buildings stand starkly against the gray rock of the cliff.

The architecture and layout of the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia—Prambanan, situated close to Borobudur—is a stunning example of classic Hindu design. The 240 different temple buildings each feature dramatic spires arranged in four concentric squares. This creates a symmetric pattern that represents different aspects of the Hindu belief system.

The temples and the surrounding area are ideal for active travelers. Here, you can cycle through the sprawling complex or opt for adventure and explore the nearby Jomblang Cave.

Related: Yogyakarta Temple Guide

The imposing Temple of Heaven reaches into the sky with its three circular gables. Each is tiled in dark blue, which represents its connection to heaven. Further intricate tiling and gold leaf on the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (inside) reflect the importance of this temple during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Located in Beijing and constructed during the early 15th century, the temple complex welcomes visitors and locals to admire the craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as use the surrounding parklands for activities and exercise.