Ancient Sites You Don’t Want To Miss

Asia is a continent with a fascinating history deeply rooted in culture and spirituality. From country to country, countless historical sites will leave you breathless. From exquisite temples to bewildering monuments, these landmarks will transport you back in time and leave you in awe.   

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1. Amer Fort- India

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its stunning architecture of ornate doorways, elegant arches, and colorful frescos. It is recognized as a mirror palace with its glass in-laid panels and grand mirrored ceilings. It is as enriched in royal history as it is in beauty, dating back to the 16th century.  

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2. Old Bagan- Myanmar

With over 10,000 shrines, the temple city in Myanmar is a vast ancient empire. Rich in spirituality and cultural heritage, this site is worth days of exploring and immersing yourself in the incredible city of temples. Scoot around by bike, taxi, or horse cart to get around the large site.  

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3. Batad Rice Terraces- Philippines

This incredible cultural landscape was built by the hands of the indigenous Ifugao ancestors over 2,000 years ago. The rice terraces resemble a ginormous amphitheater carved into the mountainside. You can truly experience the natural beauty up close by hiking through the rice paddies or staying overnight in an indigenous hut. 

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4. Borobudur Temple- Indonesia

As the largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur is a grand site for all eyes. Built around the 8th century AD from volcanic stones, you will bask in its 3-tiered glory as you journey up to enlightenment. With 504 Buddha statues, the detailed temple is truly an architectural masterpiece enriched with teachings and stories.    

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5. Angkor Wat- Cambodia

Situated in the city of Siem Reap is Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments on Earth. Since its construction in the 12th century, the temple has gone through religious changes, from Hindu to Buddhist and is represented in the Cambodian flag. It’s an important landmark to the country with towering hand-carved structures spanning 400 acres.   

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6. Monkey Temple- Nepal

Plunked on top of a hill in the jaw-dropping Kathmandu Valley is a historical site you don’t want to miss. Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, attracts monkeys as well as fascinated tourists from around the world. With its creation rooted in mythology, the temple is significant to Nepalese culture and is a sacred and tranquil landmark. 

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7. Tiger’s Nest Monastery- Bhutan

At 3,120m high on the side of a cliff edge is this sacred Buddhist site. The iconic monastery can only be reached by foot, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountainscape. In 1692, the historical landmark was purposely built in this location near the cave where Guru Rinpoche, the “second Buddha”, first meditated.    

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8. Hampi- India

India is rich in breathtaking landmarks and Hampi is one of them. The abandoned city is a vast site filled with tantalizing treasures and inspiring monuments. The atmosphere of Hampi is tranquil, encouraging visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in the ancient culture. 

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9. Petra- Jordan

Visiting Jordan will take you on a wander through a dreamscape of enchanting buildings carved into the rock. Its most famous buildings are The Monastry and The Treasury but its natural surroundings will also amaze you. The red kingdom is incredibly ancient, dating back to 9BC.    

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10. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque- Abu Dhabi

Step inside this mosque and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a fairytale. The Indo-Islamic architecture will leave you in awe as you bask in the beauty of it all. The pristine building shines in white marble, inlaid with precious stones like jade, turquoise, and pearls. 41,000 worshippers can fit inside the sacred marble mosque.

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11. Kinkaku-ji- Japan

With the top two floors wrapped in gold leaf, the golden temple shimmers in its reflection in the water below. Although the original temple was built in the early 1400s, the current structure in its place is from 1955. The zen temple has a destructive history since it has been burnt down and rebuilt numerous times.  

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12. Gyeongbokgung Palace- South Korea

This incredible palace built during the Joseon Dynasty is the most iconic of the Five Grand Palaces. Onlookers are blown away by the impressive Gyeonghoeru Pavillion overlooking a peaceful pond. The changing of the guard ceremony still takes place.  

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13. Taj Mahal- India

It’s to no one’s surprise that the Taj Mahal made the must-visit list. The magnificent palace takes over the skyline by the Yamuna River and is a popular attraction worth seeing. Built back in the 17th century, the Taj Mahal stands as a memorial to the beloved wife of Mumtaz Mahal. The building is made entirely of intricately carved white marble, with a gorgeous garden and slender pools directly in front. 

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14. Sukhothai- Thailand

The 13th and 14th-century monuments in Sukhothai Historical Park are masterpieces of traditional Thai architecture. The destination was once a Kingdom of Siam which now flourishes in cultural heritage and is significant to the ancient civilization.

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15. My Son Sanctuary- Vietnam

This temple complex is a historical site of the most extensive Cham remains in the country. Erected in the 2nd century, it was once the center of the ancient Champa Kingdom, booming in great religious and political importance. It is also the burial place of monarchs ruled under the power of kings over thousands of years. 

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16. The Plain Of Jars- Laos

The archaeological site is a mysterious landscape spotted with thousands of giant stone jars. The creation of this prehistoric landmark puzzles many, with theories stemming from science and legendary folklore. The jars have survived the tragedy of many bombings in the area but the landscape still bears scars.   

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17. Humayun’s Tomb- India

Humayun’s Tomb is a 16th-century architectural splendor located in the vibrant city of Delhi. The tomb honors Emperor Humayun, the second Mughal ruler, commissioned by his wife. The building is an intricate mix of Islamic and Persian architecture sitting in the heart of a garden oasis.      

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18. Bukhara’s Mosques- Uzbekistan

The town of Bukhara is a magical blend of ancient and modern life filled with enchanting mosques. The 2,000-year-old city is rich in medieval history as well, adorned with ruins and fortress walls. A trip visiting its many mosques and cultural sites is a must.  

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19. The Great Wall Of China- China

There’s a reason The Great Wall of China is the most visited landmark in the country–– it’s magnificent from end to end. As they walk along the famous giant wall, tourists are blown away by its complex architecture and historical significance. Spend the night in a watchtower to truly experience its history.  

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20. Luang Prabang- Laos

This magical city was once known as the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, blending influences from traditional Laotian culture and French colonization. This historic city is home to a collection of impressive Buddhist temples, vibrant markets, and colorful French-colonial architecture. 

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