The most popular temple destinations in the world showcase centuries of human history and iconic architecture. From the breathtaking architecture of Angkor Wat to ancient Buddhist temples in Japan, these temples continue to attract millions of visitors from around the world. The most popular temples to visit were ranked by international travelers using the Visited app. Visited is an immersive travel app that allows you to mark off places you’ve been and discover new bucket list destinations based on your interests. Whether you’re a thrill-seeking outdoor adventurer or a luxury traveler, you can plan your dream vacation using the Visited app.
These are the most popular temple destinations in the world, according to Visited travelers:
1. Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the number one temple for international travelers. The sprawling temple complex in Cambodia is considered the world’s largest religious structure by area. The Hindu-Buddhist complex has central towers that rise like lotus buds, surrounded by galleries, moats, and elaborate carvings depicting Hindu mythology. The ancient temple dates back to the 12th century. Angkor Wat features Khmer architecture, known for its pointed towers, galleries with sandstone pillars, and bas-reliefs telling stories.
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2. Senso-ji Temple
Senso-ji Temple is a historic temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo. The structure is the oldest temple in the city, dating back to 645 A.D. The iconic complex includes a five-story pagoda, a main hall, and gates in front of the temple. Japanese Buddhist architecture makes it a beautiful destination for tourists from around the world. Dedicated to Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy, Senso-ji is a popular worship center, attracting over 30 million visitors annually.
3. Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples, pre-dating the city itself. The ornate complex includes a 46-meter (151-foot) long reclining Budhha statue. The complex also has a school of Thai medicine and is credited as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
4. Wat Suwan Kuha Temple
Wat Suwan Kuha Temple, also known as Wat Tham (Temple Cave) or the Monkey Cave Temple, is a cave temple nestled within a limestone mountain in Phang Nga province, Thailand, just north of Phuket. The complex includes a network of caves filled with statues, icons, and shrines. A colossal reclining golden Buddha statue is a popular tourist attraction at the complex.
5. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is a shrine at the base of Mount Inari in southern Kyoto, Japan. The shrine is renowned for its thousands of brilliant red torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind the main buildings. The historic Shinto shrine dates back to 711 A.D. Many smaller shrines are located along the trail up Mount Inari. The iconic shrine is open around the clock, and the main hall is illuminated at night. Entrance to the shrine is free.
6. Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple, officially called Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, Japan. The temple is famous for its gold leaf covering adorning the three-tiered pavilion. The temple is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Special Historic Site. Each building floor showcases a different architecture, with shinden, samurai, and zen styles. The original temple was completed in 1397 but was burned down by a monk in 1950. A new temple was constructed in 1955.
7. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun, also called the Temple of the Dawn, is a towering Buddhist temple in the Yai district of Bangkok. The temple’s name was inspired by the Hindu god Aruna. The iconic temple dates back to the 17th century and has become a symbol of Bangkok. The striking prang (a towering spire) rises 82 meters (270 feet) above the ground. The prang is decorated with colorful porcelain shards and seashells, creating a shimmering, mosaic-like effect that awes visitors.
8. Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo. The elegant shrine is located in an evergreen forest that offers a peaceful oasis for travelers. The forest includes 120,000 trees of 365 different species. The Meiji Jingu shrine buildings are built in the traditional Japanese architectural style, with cypress wood construction and thatched roofs. The shrine’s design and construction reflect the era of modernization that Japan underwent during the reign of Emperor Meiji. The main shrine buildings include the Inner Shrine (Naiku), the Outer Shrine (Gaiku), and the Treasure Hall (Homotsuden).
9. Ta Prohm
The Ta Prohm Temple, nicknamed the “Tomb Raider Temple” due to its fame from the movie, is an ancient Buddhist monastic complex near the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia. The temple was originally known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King) and dates back to the late 12th century. The temple is located in the jungle and has hallways, chambers, and courtyards, many of which are overgrown with trees and plants. The temple includes intricate carvings and sculptures that depict scenes from Hindu mythology and Buddhist teachings.
10. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of The Emerald Buddha)
Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of The Emerald Buddha, is a sacred temple on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The grand complex was built in 1783 under King Rama and marked the founding of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand. The royal temple hosts coronations and ordinations. The temple’s Emerald Buddha is a national treasure that gets its striking green color from jasper, a semi-precious green stone. The famous Buddha statue wears elaborate gold garments, which the Thai King changes three times a year to mark the changing seasons.
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11. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is a complex of imperial religious buildings in central Beijing, China. The temple was used for annual prayer ceremonies for good harvests by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The layout of the complex uses the principle of Chinese cosmogony. The southern part of the complex is square, symbolizing the earth, while the northern part is round, symbolizing heaven. The Temple of Heaven was built in the 15th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple has been the site of Chinese imperial rituals for centuries.
12. Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, located in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is famous for its “floating” torii gate that appears to float on the sea. The buildings are constructed in the Shinden-zukuri style, with vermilion lacquered wood, cypress bark roofs, and white walls. The historic shrine dates back to 593 A.D.
13. Enryaku-ji
Enryaku-ji is a Tendai Buddhist monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, Japan. The striking red temple overlooks Kyoto. The temple was founded in 788 by Saicho, a monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism from China. The complex’s main hall incorporates a Taishu architecture style with its grand scale and imposing size. Yokawa Chudo is another part of the complex. The hall is partially built on a slope using pillars and has a unique stage-like structure. Gomado Hall is used for fire rituals and has elements of the Momoyama style with decorative details.
14. Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was established in 778. Kiyomizu-dera is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto and was made without nails. The temple’s enormous wooden stage juts out from the main hall. The stage offers incredible views of Kyoto, especially during cherry blossom season and fall foliage. The temple’s name comes from the waterfall in the complex. The word Kiyomizu means “pure water.”
15. Wat Rong Khun In Chiang Rai
Wat Rong Khun, also called the White Temple, is a remarkable white temple in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Unlike most Thai temples, which are covered in gold and red, Wat Rong Khun has a striking white exterior. The white color symbolizes the purity of the Buddha. The white walls are embellished with mirrored glass shards, creating a sparkling effect in sunlight. A bridge over the lake in front of the temple has sculpted hands reaching out from the water, symbolizing unrestrained desire.
16. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is an ancient Hindu temple on a rocky island off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. The temple is dedicated to the Balinese sea god Bhatara Segara. It is believed to protect the island from evil spirits. Tanah Lot is one of seven temples in the sea off the Bali coast. The sacred spot offers a glimpse into Bali’s history and Hindu roots. Tourists also come to the temple to witness breathtaking sunsets with colorful skies.
17. Uluwatu
Uluwatu Temple is a cliffside temple located in Bali, Indonesia. The temple towers 70 meters (230 feet) above the Indian Ocean and offers stunning panoramic views of crashing waves against the cliffs. Uluwatu is one of Bali’s six key temples and is a sacred sea temple believed to protect the island from evil spirits coming from the sea. The temple is dedicated to Shiva Rudra, the Balinese Hindu god representing wind, fire, and transformation. Uluwatu is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindu people. The sacred complex includes tiered courtyards, intricately carved volcanic rock gateways, and thatched-roof structures.
18. Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand. The ornate temple uses a dazzling white Italian Carrara marble, which has given it the nickname Marble Temple. The temple features tiered roofs with elaborate finials and striking gold carvings. Ubosot (Ordination Hall) includes four marble pillars that lead to a sprawling marble courtyard. The Ubosot is also home to the main Buddha symbol in the temple, Phra Buddha Chinnarat. The bronze Buddha statue is a replica of a revered image from the Sukhothai period.
19. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple located 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the city of Chiang Mai in Thailand. The temple is often called Doi Suthep, the name of the mountain on which it sits. The sacred site offers stunning views of the city of Chiang Mai and the surrounding valley from the mountaintop. The temple is a sacred space for many Thai people and is believed to have been founded in 1383. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep showcases Lanna-style architecture, with ornate gilding, tiered roofs, and intricate carvings depicting Buddhist stories and figures.
20. The Batu Caves Hindu Shrine
The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves and cave temples in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. The sacred cave complex is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside of India. The cave temples are dedicated to Lord Murugan, a Hindu deity of war, victory, and wisdom. The shrine is a popular pilgrimage site for Tamil Hindus, especially during the festival of Thaipusam. The most prominent cave, Ramayana Cave, houses the Hindu shrine. A Golden Murugan Statue stands guard at the foot of the cave stairs. The golden statue of Lord Murugan is 42.7 meters (140 feet) tall.
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