20 Famous Temples To Visit Once In Your Lifetime
Temples are not just places of worship but also a living testament to history, culture and divine devotion. Across the world, places of worship have often been the cornerstones that have defined the identity of that particular region, religion, or civilization. If you are an architecture lover, a history buff, or want to immerse in a divine aura, check out these 20 temples to visit once in your lifetime. Each site offers a unique spiritual aura, drawing millions of visitors seeking peace and enlightenment.
List 20 Best Temples In The World
Spread out all across the globe, these temples have redefined travel and brought home visitors from distant lands to admire their architectural beauty.
- Tanah Lot Temple, Bali
- Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia
- Akshardham Temple, New Delhi
- The Temple Of Chichen Itza, Mexico
- Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
- Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
- Temple of Heaven, Beijing
- Abu Simbel, Egypt
- Lotus Temple, New Delhi
- Cao Dai Temple, Vietnam
- Kotoku-In Temple, Tokyo
- Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka
- Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
- Golden Temple, India
- Jokhang Temple, Tibet
- Wat Pho, Bangkok
- Boudhanath Temple, Kathmandu
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
1. Tanah Lot Temple, Bali
Image Courtesy: Grayswoodsurrey for Wikipedia
Located on the Indonesian island of Bali, Tanah Lot, or “Land in the Sea,” is one of the most famous ancient Hindu temples worldwide. It is perched on top of a rock formation and is a sacred religious site for Balinese Hindus. Thanks to its picturesque location, this temple has become one of the major Bali tourist attractions and among the best temples to visit once in your lifetime.
- Location: Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali
- Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
- Entry Fee: 75,000 IDR for foreign adults and 40,000 IDR for foreign children
- How to Reach: You can reach Tanah Lot via ‘Jl. ‘Tanah Lot, ‘Jl from central Bali is about 33-35 km. One of the fastest ways to reach Tanahot Lot from India is by taking a flight to Bali.
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2. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Nestled on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Meenakshi Amman is a Temple dedicated to Meenakshi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, and Sundareshwar, an avatar of Lord Shiva. This temple is the epitome of classic architecture, with murals so gorgeous that they will take your breath away. The temple is famous for its 14 colourful gateways, or Gopurams, located all around the temple complex.
- Location: Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai
- Timings: 5 AM to 12:30 PM And 4 PM to 10 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- How to Reach: You can reach Meenakshi temple by flight, train, or road. One of the fastest ways is to fly to Madurai and then book a car or cab to the temple.
3. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Image Courtesy: Dennis G. Jarvis for Wikimedia
Angkor Wat is a 400-acre temple complex renowned as the world’s biggest temple and one of the most beautiful temples to visit once in your lifetime. Located in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat in Cambodia reflects Khmer architecture’s exalted grandeur and artistic perfection. It is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world after being featured in many movies and documentaries.
- Location: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Timings: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: US$ 37 for 1 day
- How To Reach: You can get to Siem Reap Airport and then take a minibus tour, E-bike or hire a cab to Angkor Wat.
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4. Akshardham Temple, New Delhi
Located in the capital city of India, Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple was built in 2005 and is one of the best temples in Delhi. As a part of a cultural and spiritual movement in the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism, this temple was one of the 3 temples established worldwide for the same spiritual motives. The temple is famous for its red sandstone carvings and intricate detail work on its interior and exterior walls.
- Location: NH 24, Pramukh Swami Maharaj Marg, Pandav Nagar, New Delhi
- Timings: 10 AM to 6:30 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (for exhibition- 170 for adults and INR 100 for Children)
- How to Reach: You can reach Akshardham temple by road and metro. Take a metro to the Akshardham Metro Station, then a short walk to the temple.
5. The Temple Of Chichen Itza, Mexico
The temple of Chichen Itza is considered one of the most visited Mayan temples and among the top temples to visit once in your lifetime. Itza is the name of the ethnic-lineage community that ruled the northern peninsula of Mexico before the Spanish Conquest.One fantastic fact about its construction is that each side of this pyramid has 91 steps combined with the step at the top to make 365 steps (each step representing one day of the calendar year).
- Location: Yucatan, Mexico
- Timings: 8 AM to 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: MXN 648 for Adults, MXN 100 for Children (3-12 years of age), MXN 290 for Mexican Citizens and Locals with Yucatan ID have to pay MXN 100
- How To Reach: Take a flight to Merida or Cancun and then take the Chichen Itzá tour or hire a car.
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6. Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Golden Pagoda, is among the most beautiful temples to visit once in your lifetime. It is a gilded stupa in the ancient city of Yangon, Myanmar. This temple is considered one of the most sacred Myanmar temples as it contains the remains of the four previous Buddhas.
- Location: Yangon, Myanmar
- Timings: 4 AM to 10 PM
- Entry Fee: 10,000 kyats
- How To Reach: Fly to Yangon International Airport (RGN). From the airport, you can take a taxi directly to Shwedagon Pagoda.
7. Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the world’s most famous temples. Located in the happiest country in the world, Bhutan, this monastery is one of the most sacred Buddhist places of worship or pilgrimage in the Himalayan mountains. Also known as the Paro Taktsang, the monastery was built 300 years ago for meditation and introspection, and it is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan.
- Location: F9R7+PCR, Taktsang trail, Paro, Bhutan
- Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Entry Fee: 2,000 Nu for foreigner
- How To Reach: You can fly to the Paro International Airport, hire a cab or take local transport to reach the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
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8. Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
Located in Chiang Rai, north of Thailand, Wat Rong Khun is also known as the white temple. The temple was originally built hundreds of years ago, but after its deteriorating condition was viewed, it was redesigned and renovated in 1997. Today, its outstanding structure, striking design, and vivacious colours attract millions of tourists worldwide annually.
- Location: Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai
- Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
- Entry Fee: 100 THB for foreign adults
- How to Reach: Take a flight to Chiang Rai (CEI) Airport, which is 18.9 km away, followed by a road trip by car, hire a cab, or use local transport.
9. Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Image Courtesy: Balon Greyjoy for Wikipedia
In the heart of the capital city of China, the Temple of Heaven is located. It was built in the early 15th century by the same emperor who built the Forbidden City near Beijing. Past kings of China are said to have visited its premises to pray for a good harvest. With its outstanding architectural design, this temple is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the best tourist places to visit in China.
- Location: 1 Tiantan E Rd, Dong Cheng Qu, China
- Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
- Entry Fee: Starting from INR 365
- How to Reach: You can fly to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). From the airport, take a cab or local transport to the temple.
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10. Abu Simbel, Egypt
Image Courtesy: MrSnooks for Wikipedia
The ancient history of the Egyptian civilization has fascinated people worldwide. One such fragment of their history was the fantastic rock temples of Abu Simbel. Constructed almost 3300 years ago, this temple is one of the oldest on the list of temples to visit once in your lifetime. Abu Simbel temple is renowned for its gigantic statues of Ramesses II, each towering over 20 meters tall.
- Location: Abu Simbel, Aswan Governorate
- Timings: 5 AM to 6 PM
- Entry Fee: 240 Egyptian pounds (EGP) for adults and 120 EGP for students
- How To Reach: Take a flight to Abu Simbel (ABS) Airport. From there, take local transport to Abu Simbel.
11. Lotus Temple, New Delhi
A temple dedicated to Bahai faith worshippers, Lotus Temple, was constructed 32 years ago to promote world peace, harmony, and tolerance toward all religions. The faith leaders presiding over the temple encourage meditation as a medium for finding inner peace and living a better life. Due to its mesmerizing architecture and surroundings, this temple is one of the best tourist places in Delhi.
- Location: Lotus Temple Rd Bahapur, Kalkaji, New Delhi
- Timings: 8:30 AM to 5 PM (closed on Monday)
- Entry Fee: Free
- How To Reach: Take a Delhi Metro to Kalkaji Metro Station and take a 2 mins walk to reach Lotus Temple complex.
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12. Cao Dai Temple, Vietnam
Image Courtesy: Nic saigon for Wikimedia
Located just a couple of hours south of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, lies Tay Ninh—home to the Cao Dai Temple. Constructed by the followers of Caodaism in 1955, this temple is a brilliant mixture of colours in an oriental-style church of worship and among the famous temples in Vietnam.
- Location: 891 Đ. Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường 1, Quận 5, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- How To Reach: Fly to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) then take a cab or local transport to reach Cao Dai Temple
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13. Kotoku-In Temple, Tokyo
Located in Kamakura, Japan, Kotuku-In is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the country. The temple is one of the most popular places in Japan owing to its famous outdoor bronze statue of Buddha, which is also one of the most famous icons in Japan and worldwide.
- Location: 4-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Timings: 8 AM to 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for children (6-12).
- How To Reach: Travel to Kamakura from Tokyo by train, then get off at Hase Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden Line); the temple is a short walk from the station.
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14. Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka
The Temple of the Tooth, also known as the Tooth Relic Temple, is located in the predominantly Buddhist city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It is the most important Buddhist shrine in the country and one of the stunning temples to visit once in your lifetime. The temple is believed to house the relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth.
- Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Timings: 5:30 AM to 8 PM
- Entry Fee: 2,000 Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) for foreign tourists
- How To Reach: Take a flight to Sri Lanka, then take a bus or Tuk-Tuk to reach the temple.
15. Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
Image Courtesy: Gunawan Kartapranata for Wikipedia
The Borobudur temple complex is located in central Java Island, Indonesia, and is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Its captivating design and natural surroundings make it one of the most beautiful temples in Indonesia. Construction on the temple complex began as far back as the 9th century, but it was halted by the 14th century due to the conversion of Javanese people to Islam and the fall of the Hindu empire.
- Location: Jl. Badrawati, Kw. Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Kec. Borobudur, Kabupaten Magelang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
- Timings: 6 AM to 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: 400,000 IDR for foreign visitors and 225,000 IDR for Children.
- How To Reach: Fly to Yogyakarta, then take a cab or local transport to reach the Borobudur temple.
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16. Golden Temple, India
Considered the holiest pilgrimage site of Sikhism in the world, the Golden Temple (Gurudwara) was built around 450 years ago alongside a man-made pool (Sarovar) in Amritsar. The temple also houses the Akal Takht (centre of authority) for everyone involved in the Sikh religion.
- Location: Golden Temple Rd, Atta Mandi, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar, Punjab
- Timings: Open 24 Hours
- Entry Fee: Free
- How To Reach: Take the train to Amritsar railway station. Then, book a cab or taxi from the railway station.
17. Jokhang Temple, Tibet
Another beautiful Buddhist temple in Tibet’s spiritual centre, Lhasa, is the Jokhang Temple. Jokhang, which translates into ‘House of Buddha,’ is a UNESCO world heritage site that has been at the forefront of Buddhism’s growth and influence in the Indochina region. The temple’s iconic gilded rooftop and sacred Buddhist chambers give away its holiness and uniqueness.
- Location: M42M+3GX, Cheng Guan Qu, La Sa Shi, Xi Zang Zi Zhi Qu, China
- Timings:11:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: 85 Yuan
- How to Reach: Fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA). From there, book a cab or taxi to the temple. You can also take the train to Lhasa.
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18. Wat Pho, Bangkok
Wat Pho, also known as the “temple of the reclining Buddha,” is a Buddhist shrine in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple complex contains marvellously constructed small stupas and a 46-meter-long reclining Buddha statue. It is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, built even before the capital of Thailand was moved there.
- Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
- Timings: 8 AM to 7:30 PM
- Entry Fee: 300 THB
- How to Reach: The most exciting way to Wat Pho is by river taxi. Take the Chao Phraya Express boat to Tha Tien Pier.
19. Boudhanath Temple, Kathmandu
Image Courtesy: Sanish shr for Wikipedia
Another entry in the list of Buddhist temples to visit once in your lifetime is the charismatic Boudhanath Temple in Kathmandu. It is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist site outside Tibet. With its colossal white mandala, set against the beautiful landscape of the Himalayas, is the most important Buddhist stupa in Nepal.
- Location: Buddha Stupa, Boudha Sadak, Kathmandu
- Timings: Open 24 Hours
- Entry Fee: NPR 400 for foreign nationals, NPR 100 for SAARC nationals and free for children under 10 years old.
- How To Reach: Fly to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) from there take a cab or hire a minivan to reach the temple.
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20. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Image Courtesy: Ashvin Kaitabhya For Wikimedia
Built-in the holiest city of India on the western banks of the River Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in the world. It is also a sacred site because it is one of the twelve jyotirlingas across India. The modern structure of the temple was built in 1780, whereas the jyotirlinga is believed to have been there since ancient times.
- Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Timings: 3 AM to 4 AM, 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM, 7 PM to 8:15 PM and 10:30 P.M. to 11 P.M.
- Entry Fee: Free (for Darshan price starting from INR 250)
- How To Reach: Take the train to Varanasi, then take a cab or e-rickshaw to reach the temple.
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Architectural brilliance, pristine beauty, and deep-rooted cultural influence can be seen in abundance at these temples, which you should visit once in your lifetime. We’ve done our bit to motivate you, so why not Plan a trip to worldwide to explore one or more of these marvels across the globe?
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Pranav combines his love for languages, storytelling, and traveling to make a life out of it. A travel writer by profession, he believes in traveling with a purpose and sharing unheard stories through the perspective of the people and places he encounters along his way. When he’s not traveling, he likes to spend time watching sports, and binging on Netflix.
