Asia is the starting place for so many major religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Taoism which have all inspired beautiful temples throughout the continent.
There are thousands of temples throughout Asia some of which are still used as places of worship today.
Whether you have an interest in relgion, stunning architecture or just need some inspiration for popular local cultural tourism attractions we have put together a list of the best tempes to see in the continent.
1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is one of the most iconic and well recognised temples in the world and somewhere every traveller should see.
Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments and a must visit destination in south east Asia.
Lots of local and international Cambodia tour companies offer trips here, or you could visit independently arranging transport from the popular city of Siem Reap.
2. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan, India
When you think of India you probably automatically have images of the Taj Mahal. This is one of the undoubted most iconic buildings in India but there are far more places you should visit, including the impressive Ranakpur Jain Temple in Rajasthan.
View India tours for a cultural trip like no other.
3. Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China
Beijing is one of the most facsinating cities in Asia and home to some of the most popular attractions in China including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.
On any Beijing itinerary you need to go see the Temple of Heaven - this is one of the most beautifully constructed buildings in the continent.
If you would like to see the Temple of Heaven and other highlights search China tours.
4. Rokuon-ji, Kyoto, Japan
Whether you are planning a short break or have 1 month in Japan, you really need to explore the beautiful city of Kyoto.
Rokuon-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple that attracts millions of people every year making it one of the most visited destinations in the country.
There are lots of popular tourist attractions in Kyoto and Rokuon-ji, also known as Kinkaku-ji is one of the unmissable places to go.
If you are worried about the language barrier or cuture shock book a Japan tour where you'll get guided to the best temples and locations in the country.
5. Lotus Temple, Delhi, India
India really does have hundreds of temples, bringing us to another entry of our list - the Lotus Temple, located in New Delhi.
The unique lotus-like shape gives this temple its character, and it has become a popular attraction in the city due to this. Like all Bahá’í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all tourists and visitors, regardless of religion.
5. Baalbek, Lebanon
Lebanon is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world and most people don't even realise there are ancient ruins and temples here to rival Greece.
Baalbek is a city located east of the Litani River in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, about 67 km northeast of Beirut. In ancient Greek and Roman times, Baalbek was known as Heliopolis and became home to numerous colossal buildings and temples.
The architecture here is one of the finest testimonies to the Roman imperial period.
6. Borobudur, Indonesia
Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. This is one of the top places to go in Java and the world's largest Buddhist temple.
Borobudur is an unmissable destination for any Indonesia overland trip and to get here you can book tours and transport from nearby Magelang or the town of Muntilan
7. Harmandir Sahib, India
Not many countries can compare to India when it comes to different religions, traditions and temples.
The Golden Temple is a gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab. It is the preeminent spiritual site of Sikhism. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, alongside the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Kartarpur, and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.
Book a tour to India and embark on the cultural journey of a lifetime to see one of the most entrancing destinations in the world.
9. Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand is one of the best countries to visit in Asia, and although most people escape to the islands and beaches, Bangkok has some many tourist attractions to see.
Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located in Bangkok and is regarded as one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Thailand.
This site is one of the most highly rated to see in the Thai capital, especially if it is your first time visiting Bangkok. You can travel around Bangkok by public transport or for a fun experience you might want to book a TukTuk sightseeing tour.
If you would like to mix temples with wildlife view our guide to the best elephant sanctuaries to visit in Thailand.
10. Paro Taktsang, Bhutan
Is there a more alluring destination for the adventure traveller than Bhutan?
This country is really off the beaten track, and due to the high fee for visiting, the country has not been impacted by globalisation and mass-tourism.
There are lots of popular places to see in Bhutan and Paro Taktsang, a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist located on a cliff of the upper Paro valley, is one of the most impressive.
This is one of thirteen Tiger's Nest caves in historical Tibet in which Padmasambhava practiced and taught Vajrayana.
Search tours of Bhutan to book your trip to Paro Taktsang.
Plan a Cultural Trip to Asia
Travelling and exploring new destinations broadens the mind and as life is short, and you should try to discover as many places as you can. Hopefully our guide has given you some ideas for the most impressible temples in Asia you really need to see. Now go book a tour of Asia and discover the highlights of the continent for yourself.
