The World’s Most Beautiful Temples

The world's most beautiful temples boast incredible architectural features and artistic details that bridge the connection between human and divine.

Since ancient times, human societies across the world have built beautiful religious monuments to honor their gods. These temples often boast incredible architectural features, elaborate designs and artistic details that are intended to bridge the connection between human and divine.

From precariously perched monasteries on Himalayan hillsides, to immense stone sculptures and gold-plated pagodas, many of these religious monuments have been attracting worshippers, pilgrims and visitors for hundreds, even thousands of years.

There’s no end to the diversity and splendor of this type of religious architecture. Step inside and marvel at the wonder of these most incredible temples around the world.

Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Year of Construction: c. 12th Century

Religious Tradition: Hinduism / Buddhism

Fun Fact: The temple of Angkor Wat is featured on the Cambodian national flag.

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Think of iconic temples across the world, and the first one that comes to mind is likely the incredible monument of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, one of the largest religious buildings in the world. Originally constructed by the rulers of the Khmer Empire as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, it was converted into a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th century.

Adorned with bas-relief sculptures that tell Cambodian stories and legends, Angkor Wat is an architectural marvel, and a visit to this magnificent site should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

Borobudur: Java, Indonesia

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Year of Construction: c. Ninth Century

Religious Tradition: Buddhism

Fun Fact: The Borobudur Temple was constructed using a system of interlocking blocks, without the need for any form of cement or mortar.

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The mind-blowing Borobudur Temple on the Indonesian island of Java is the world’s largest Buddhist monument, measuring 765 feet by 765 feet. Littered with more than 500 statues of the Buddha and countless relief sculptures, this temple is a treasure trove of medieval Indonesian art, heavily influenced by Indian religious sculpture and design.

Rising high above the verdant paddy fields and lush forests, and surrounded by volcanic peaks, Borobudur is known locally as the Garden of Java. A visit here is like stepping back in time, into a world of myth and legend.

Kye Gompa: Spiti Valley, India

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Year of Construction: c. 11th Century

Religious Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism

Fun Fact: Kye Gompa sits at an altitude of 13,667 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest religious sites in India.

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Nestled in the dramatic, sweeping Spiti Valley, deep in the Himalayas, the magnificent Kye Gompa is one of northern India’s most beautiful Buddhist monasteries. Founded in the 11th century, Kye Gompa has suffered many invasions and natural disasters in its thousand-year history, and constant rebuilding has given it a distinctive, eclectic style.

With dazzling bright frescos, a fortress-like construction and unique wind instruments integrated into the architecture, this beautiful Buddhist temple is an iconic treasure of the Spiti Valley. Don’t miss the weird and wonderful Gutar Festival in July, involving music, dancing and rituals focused on a butter sculpture of a demon, which is set afire as part of the festivities.

Wat Benchamabophit: Bangkok, Thailand

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Year of Construction: 1899-1911

Religious Tradition: Buddhism

Fun Fact: The Bodhi tree found at this temple was brought from Bodhgaya in India, where the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment.

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Known as the “marble temple,” Wat Benchamabophit is a dazzling example of Bangkok’s ornate religious architecture, with intricate, elaborate details at every turn. This beautiful temple was constructed entirely from imported Italian Carrara marble and commissioned by King Chulalongkorn the Great in 1899.

Boasting gorgeous layered roofs, gold carvings and elegant chofahs, the temple is best observed in full sunlight when the rays catch the shimmering features and illuminate the central courtyard. Don’t miss the impressive paintings, especially the main Buddha image, set against a striking blue background.

Shwezigon Pagoda: Bagan, Myanmar

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Year of Construction: 1102

Religious Tradition: Buddhism

Fun Fact: This magnificent pagoda was the first gold-plated temple ever to be constructed in Myanmar and is considered to be the prototype for other Burmese religious monuments.

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The Shwezigon Pagoda can be found close to the former royal capital of Bagan, a remarkable complex of more than 10,000 Buddhist structures. There are more than 2,000 surviving Buddhist temples and pagodas, scattered across a dusty landscape, creating a remarkable spectacle that is best seen from the sky on a hot-air balloon ride!

The Shwezigon Pagoda is perhaps the most famous structure in Bagan and is a dazzling ode to the former glory of this royal capital. Many important relics can be found in the interior, including a bone and a tooth of the Buddha.

Paro Taktsang: Paro Valley, Bhutan

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Year of Construction: 1692

Religious Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism

Fun Fact: Paro Taktsang is also known as the “tiger’s nest,” as it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to the cliff on the back of a tigress.

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Perched precariously on a vertiginous cliffside in the Upper Paro Valley in Bhutan, Paro Taktsang is a complex of Buddhist monasteries and temples dating back to the 17th century. This dramatically positioned monastery has become an iconic symbol of Bhutan and honors Guru Padmasambhava (Rinpoche), credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.

The caves were an important site of pilgrimage and meditation as early as the eighth century, but the current temple complex was constructed in the 17th century by Bhutan’s ruler Tenzin Rabgye. This stunning religious site is best seen on a winter’s day when the swirling mists envelop the buildings, making it seem as though the monastery emerges directly from the clouds.

Ranakpur Jain: Pali, India

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Year of Construction: 1437

Religious Tradition: Jainism

Fun Fact: According to legend, it’s impossible to count the pillars inside the temple of Ranakpur.

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One of the five holiest pilgrimage sites for the Jain community, Ranakpur is an architectural wonder. Carved in stunning amber stone, the temple was built during the reign of the Rajput king Rana Khumba in the 15th century and boasts incredibly intricate carvings and unique architecture.

The main building covers 48,000 square feet and contains 24 pillared halls and domes supported by 1,444 beautiful columns, each one sculpted according to an individual, unique design. Look out for the remarkable carving at the entrance to the temple, featuring akichaka, a bearded man with five different bodies representing the elements of fire, water, air, earth and heaven.

Swayambhunath: Kathmandu, Nepal

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Year of Construction: 460

Religious Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism

Fun Fact: The Tibetan name for the site of this temple literally means “sublime trees” for the many trees that may be found on the hill.

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Otherwise known as Kathmandu’s Monkey Temple, the magnificent stupa of Swayambhunath is one of the most majestic temples in Nepal. According to legend, the stupa appeared spontaneously from a lotus flower that bloomed in the lake that used to fill the Kathmandu Valley.

The site is an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and Hindus alike, and today, it marks a waypoint on many incredible treks in the Kathmandu Valley. Try to visit in May, when huge crowds flock to the temple to mark the birthday of the Buddha.

Wat Xieng Thong: Mekong River, Laos

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Year of Construction: 1559-1560

Religious Tradition: Buddhism

Fun Fact: The shape of the temple is said to resemble a bird with outstretched wings or a mother hen sheltering her infants.

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Literally translated as the “golden city” or “flame tree,” Wat Xieng Thong is a magnificent, glittering temple perched above the Mekong River. The design of the temple follows the Luang Prabang style, with dramatic sweeping roofs designed to catch evil spirits and prevent them from entering into the temple.

One of the most striking features of Wat Xieng Thong is the magnificent mosaic depicting the tree of life on the rear wall. This jewel of Laos is one of the most remarkable temples in Southeast Asia.

Kotoku-In: Kamakura, Japan

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Year of Construction: 1252

Religious Tradition: Buddhism

Fun Fact: The Great Buddha of Kamakura is the largest outdoor Buddha in Japan.

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Home of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Kotoku-In temple is one of the most popular Buddhist shrines in Japan. The Great Buddha is a masterpiece of medieval Japanese sculpture, cast in bronze in 1252. Although the sculpture was originally intended to be housed in a large hall, the building structure was completely destroyed by a tsunami in 1495, leaving the Buddha outside.

What makes this site particularly special is the lush surroundings, with beautifully landscaped gardens and brightly colored azaleas.

Golden Temple: Amritsar, India

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Year of Construction: 1589

Religious Tradition: Sikhism

Fun Fact: About 20,000 people are fed for free at the temple every day, although this number can rise to 100,000 on special holidays and feast days.

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The glittering Gold Temple in Amritsar is one of the most iconic sights in all of North India and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the Sikh community. More than 880 pounds of gold leaf were used to decorate the shimmering exteriors, which are perfectly reflected in the waters that surround the temple.

Great emphasis is placed on acts of kindness to the local community, and the kitchens of the Amritsar temple are constantly working to feed pilgrims.

Temple of Heaven: Beijing, China

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Year of Construction: 1406-1420

Religious Tradition: Imperial Chinese

Fun Fact: The Temple of Heaven was the site of a lavish, annual imperial pilgrimage when the emperor and his retinue would move from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven in order to pray for a good harvest.

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The Temple of Heaven is located in Beijing’s former imperial heartland and covers a vast complex of 92 buildings with 600 individual chambers. Somewhat different from many of the temples on the list, the Temple of Heaven was a monument to the Chinese Emperor, known as the Son of Heaven, a representative of the divine on Earth.

This remarkable complex of buildings contains a repeated motif of a circle and a square, representing Heaven and Earth respectively. The No. 9 represents the emperor, and this symbolism is visible throughout the design of the interiors, especially in the spectacular Circular Mound Altar.

Shwedagon Pagoda: Yangon, Myanmar

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Year of Construction: 1363

Religious Tradition: Buddhist

Fun Fact: The Shwedagon Pagoda is said to house many holy relics, including strands of the hair of the Buddha himself.

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Myanmar’s crowning glory, the Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most beautiful, shining temples in the world. Built using hundreds of gold plates and encrusted with 4,531 diamonds, the gleaming exterior of this magnificent building is truly a sight to behold.

According to local tradition, the pagoda was constructed about 2,600 years ago, which would make it the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world. However, our first historical evidence for the temple comes from the 14th century. Whatever its age, this remarkable building is one of Myanmar’s most dazzling monuments.

Kinkaku-Ji Temple: Kyoto, Japan

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Year of Construction: 1397

Religious Tradition: Zen Buddhism

Fun Fact: In July 1950, the last remaining building from the original temple complex was burned down by a young novice monk. The temple was subsequently reconstructed.

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Literally known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, the Kinkaku-Ji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple and an important site of pilgrimage in historic Kyoto, Japan. The three-story building is decorated with gold leaf and incorporates a range of different architectural styles.

It is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden complete with serene ponds that perfectly reflect the image of the temple in the clear waters. The gold decorations that pervade the architecture are thought to prevent decay and pollution, and this design, rich in symbolism, attracts many visitors to the site today.

Wat Rong Khun: Chiang Rai, Thailand

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Year of Construction: 1997

Religious Tradition: Theravada Buddhism

Fun Fact: Although the temple is open to visitors, Wat Rong Khun is incomplete and will not be finished until around 2070.

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Wat Rong Khun may be the most modern temple on this list, but its dazzling exterior facades are likely to go down in history. Designed and funded by the Thai painter Chalermchai Kositpipat, this incredible building is covered with mirrored mosaics and intricate sculptures, creating a shimmering effect that can be seen from miles around.

The colorful, modern interiors contain depictions of figures from popular culture, including Hello Kitty, Spiderman and Michael Jackson, making this one of the most unusual and unique temples in the world.

Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sri Lanka

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Year of Construction: c. First Century

Religious Tradition: Buddhism / Hinduism

Fun Fact: The Dambulla caves have a history that goes back well before the first arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, with evidence for human settlement almost 3,000 years ago.

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The Golden Temple of Dambulla is an immense underground temple complex in Sri Lanka’s Matale District, with religious monuments found in more than 80 documented caves. Many of the paintings and statues found in the caves narrate the life of the Buddha, but there are also depictions of Sri Lankan kings and gods and goddesses including Vishnu and Ganesha.

These remarkable images often follow the contours of the rock, with intricate patterns and clever use of the available space to have the most significant impact on the viewer. The Golden Temple of Dambulla is without a doubt, one of the most amazing historical and artistic treasures of Sri Lanka.

Katas Raj Temples: Chakwal, Pakistan

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Year of Construction: c. Seventh Century

Religious Tradition: Hinduism

Fun Fact: The sacred pond that surrounds the temples is said to have been formed from the tears of the Hindu deity Shiva, as he wandered the earth in grief after the death of his wife Sati.

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Pakistan is home to a number of important Hindu monuments, but the Katas Raj Temple complex is probably the most impressive. These magnificent Hindu temples are surrounded by a series of sacred ponds, connected by walkways that traverse the still, emerald waters. The temples, usually constructed on square platforms, contain beautifully decorated ceilings and intricate designs, closely resembling Kashmiri architecture.

Steeped in myth, these beautiful religious buildings have attracted pilgrims for more than 1,200 years, and the site is featured in many Hindu stories and legends. The Katas Raj Temples also form a key attraction on many Pakistan trekking and adventure tours.

Batu Caves: Selangor, Malaysia

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Year of Construction: 1891

Religious Tradition: Hinduism

Fun Fact: Batu Caves are an important ecological site as well as a religious monument, providing a habitat for rare fauna and a remarkable range of butterflies.

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The series of caves and cave temples that lie under the hill at Gombak in Selangor, Malaysia, are some of the most remarkable forms of religious architecture in the country. The temple complex is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is one of the most important Hindu shrines outside of India.

The high-vaulted ceilings of the caves house beautiful consecrated statues and bright paintings as well as limestone formations that date back 400 million years. Each year, during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, worshippers process from Kuala Lumpur to the Batu Caves in a vibrant and colorful event that regularly attracts around a million pilgrims.

Jokhang Temple: Lhasa, Tibet

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Year of Construction: 652

Religious Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism

Fun Fact: According to legend, in order to decide where to build his new temple, Songtsen Gampo (the first king of the unified Tibet) threw his hat ahead of him. It landed in the middle of a lake, and suddenly, a white stupa appeared. The lake was filled, and this location today marks the center of the Jokhang.

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The Jokhang is the spiritual heart of Lhasa and the most sacred Buddhist site in Tibet. Covering an area of 6.2 acres, this immense spiritual complex contains many buildings, halls and shrines, covered with gilded bronze tiles, beautiful sculptures and paintings. The Jokhang is also home to many significant relics of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Jowo Shakyamuni Buddha, a remarkable image of the Buddha that was placed in the Jokhang in 710.

Today, the temple is an important site of pilgrimage, and visitors will notice the thick crowds of worshippers prostrating themselves before the main entrance to the site.

Maya Devi Temple: Lumbini, Nepal

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Year of Construction: c. Third Century

Religious Tradition: Buddhist

Fun Fact: It is thought that Maya Devi (the mother of the Buddha) bathed in the sacred pond at this site before giving birth to her son.

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The ancient Maya Devi Temple marks the spot of the birthplace of the Buddha, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Nepal. This stark white temple is surrounded by peaceful gardens and a sacred pool and is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike who visit Nepal.

In 2013, an international team of archaeologists discovered an earlier structure beneath the temple, dating to circa 550, which, if confirmed as a Buddhist temple, would make it the oldest Buddhist shrine in the world. However, the jury is still out — it’s not clear whether this structure was a Buddhist temple or related to a pre-Buddhist form of tree worship. Either way, this ancient site is well worth a visit.