Experiencing the Festival of Roses in Morocco
May 1, 2025
Six fascinating temples in Asia
|Temples in Asia are architectural masterpieces that radiate serenity and harmony. Whether you’re visiting a Buddhist temple, a Japanese shrine, or a Hindu temple, you’ll be captivated by the rich legends, intricate designs, and breathtaking views. Here are six fascinating temples in Asia that offer a peaceful escape and a chance to find your inner peace. Hopefully these temples will inspire you to plan your next journey to Asia!
1. Liuhe Pagoda, Zhejiang, China
The Liuhe Pagoda, also known as the Six Harmonies Pagoda, was built in 1200 and underwent renovations in 1900. Located in Hangzhou, China, this stunning pavilion-style tower offers travelers an incredible view of the Qiantang River, the bridge that connects it, and a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city. Inside, you’ll find seven floors adorned with hand-carved wood, intricate paintings, and poems from past dynasties displayed on the walls. The most popular time to visit is in the fall, when the river’s water rises, offering the best views from the top of this magnificent pagoda.
2. Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia
Kek Lok Si, known as one of the largest temple complexes in Southeast Asia, is also affectionately called The Temple of Supreme Bliss. Located on Air Itam Mountain in George Town, Malaysia, this stunning temple has served as a house of worship since 1903. Facing the sea, the complex features numerous buildings and sights to explore, such as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, Amitabha Cloister, and the Ordinance Hall.
In front of the Ordinance Hall stands a miniature seven-story pagoda, which is the first sight you’ll see as you enter the complex. Be sure to visit the Tortoise Liberation Pond, home to hundreds of tortoises. A wonderful time to visit is during the Chinese New Year celebrations, when the temple is beautifully illuminated with thousands of bright lanterns.
3. Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Mon State, Myanmar
The legend of Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as Golden Rock, perched on the edge of Mount Kyaiktiyo at 1,100 meters high, tells of a hermit who placed a hair of Buddha beneath the rock to ensure its stability. The gravity-defying boulder is believed to be over two thousand years old. From November to May, many worshippers make their way to Mon State to visit this sacred site. During these months, the chants of devotees can be heard from the mountaintop. The location of the gilded pagoda on the rock also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Mon State mountains.
If you visit toward the end of the year, be sure to experience the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda Festival, also known as the Nine Thousand Lights Festival. When the moon is full, the platform of the pagoda is illuminated with 9,000 candles, and devotees shower Buddha with fruits, food, and incense.
4. Srirangam Temple, Tamil Nadu, India
Located on an islet formed by the Cauvery and Coleroon rivers, this Vishnu temple is an intricately designed architectural marvel. Considered the first and most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples, it is a true masterpiece. According to legend, the idol of Sri Ranganatha was being transported from India to Sri Lanka by a sage. Along the way, the sage took a break and set the idol down on the ground. When he tried to pick it up again, he found that 100 hands could not move the idol. As a result, devoted followers built a temple around it.
Inside the main temple is the Hall of 1,000 Pillars. The sprawling 156-acre complex features seven enclosures, making it the only temple in India with seven, representing the seven centers of Yoga or the seven elements of the human body, with the soul at the center. These seven enclosures house 21 magnificent towers. There’s so much to explore when you visit this awe-inspiring temple, one of the most revered temples in Asia.
5. Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto, Japan
Located in the southern part of Kyoto, the ‘Golden Pavilion’ or Kinkakuji is a shining symbol of the city. Converted into a Zen Buddhist temple, the two top floors of the structure are covered in gold leaf. Originally built in the 14th century, Kinkakuji is an impressive building overlooking a large natural pond. Although it has burned down several times throughout its history, the renovations in the 1950s helped open it up to Buddhist devotees.
Each floor of Kinkakuji represents a different style of architecture. The first floor is built in the Shinden style, which was used for palace buildings during the Heian Period, and with its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls, it provides a striking contrast to the gilded upper floors. The gardens surrounding the temple also hold treasures, including the Anmintaku Pond, which is said never to dry up, and statues where people throw coins for good luck.
6. Golden Temple, Amritsar, India
A must-visit in India, the Golden Temple, with its gold-covered exterior, is a historic and cultural treasure built in the 1600s. Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak of the Sikh religion, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for Sikhs and designed this temple. Built on a 67-foot square platform, standing in the center of the Sarovar water reservoir, the Golden Temple is a 40.5-foot square structure. It features one door on each of the East, West, North, and South directions, symbolizing the importance of acceptance and openness. The bridge leading to the temple is connected by a 13-foot-wide Pardakshna path. Its unique architecture represents a harmonious blend of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles from that period in India.
The festival of Baisakhi, a spring harvest festival, is celebrated at the Golden Temple with a grand feast. On this day, water from all the rivers of India is drawn and poured into the vast pool that surrounds the Golden Temple.
Make it happen
If you have been inspired to travel to any of the temples in Asia featured in this article, then check out our destination pages. Our local experts are always happy to receive your enquiry and are ready and waiting to plan your perfect tailor-made trip.
