Don’t Miss Out On These Continental Sights
Folks typically point to Europe when they talk about their dream sightseeing locations, and there’s nothing wrong with that— but in doing so, they’re missing a huge, huge section of history that exists a little further East. Asia and all its respective countries are brimming with thousands of years of historical landmarks, geographical beauties, and communities deeply rooted in their cultures. Next time you travel, consider stopping in one of these countries.
1. Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar is a city centre and fishing port in Eastern Bangladesh. The population of Cox’s Bazar is just under 200,000 residents, but it is a popular tourist attraction due to its beach. Cox’s Bazar Beach is the longest uninterrupted naturally occurring sea beach in the world.
2. Tiger’s Nest
Located in Bhutan, the Tiger’s Nest is a sacred Himalayan Buddhist site. Also known as Paro Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest is one of thirteen caves located on the cliffside of the upper Paro Valley. The buildings were constructed in the 17th century, but the land has been used for meditation purposes since the 7th century CE.
3. Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Constructed in 1150 CE, its location sits on top of the ancient Khmer city of Angkor. While the original building was dedicated to Vishnu, it was eventually transformed into a Buddhist temple at the end of the century. Angkor Wat is considered the largest religious structure in the world.
4. The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built from the 7th century BCE to the 17th century CE. Originally constructed to protect China’s northern borders from its enemies, the Great Wall spans over 13 thousand miles. It’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
5. Golden Temple
Also known as Harmandir Sahib, India’s Golden Temple is considered a sacred pilgrimage site for Sikhs. Built by Guru Ram Das Sahib in the 17th century CE, the structure is covered in approximately 750 kilograms of gold.
6. Borobudur
Located on the island of Java, Indonesia, Borobudur is considered the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Built during the Sailendra Dynasty, in the 8th and 9th centuries CE, the temple contains over 504 Buddha statues.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas on Wikimedia
7. Isfahan Royal Square
Known also as Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Shah Square, and the Imam Square, the Isfahan Royal Square is a 960,000 square foot wide structure situated in Iran. The square was built in the late 1500s and early 1600s, and is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
8. Mount Fuji
Arguably one of the most famous Japanese landmarks, Mount Fuji dominates the background of many cities on the island. Known as the second-highest volcano on any Asian island, Mount Fuji has a summit elevation of 12,400 feet. It is one of the three holy mountains.
9. Ancient City of Petra
Located in southwestern Jordan, the ancient city of Petra is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Likely inhabited as early as 7000 BCE, the red-tinged city wasn’t rediscovered until the 19th century. Petra is known for its well-developed rock-cut architecture and exemplary water conduit systems.
10. Batu Caves
The Batu Caves are a 1066-foot-tall mogote (deep-sided hill) in Malaysia. The cave complex, prominently featuring limestone, houses many Hindu temples and a 141-foot-tall statue of Murugan, the Hindu god of war.
11. Bagan
Bagan is an ancient Burmese city located in the Mandalay region of Myanmar. Known as the first capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the city’s golden years were from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE. Over two thousand ancient Buddhist temples and pagodas still stand today, although many more were constructed during the city’s prime.
12. Buddha Stupa
Located in Nepal, the Buddha (or Boudha) Stupa is a major religious landmark. Its origins are based in Tibetan Buddhism, and the structure is seen as the embodiment of the enlightened mind of all the buddhas. It’s considered the largest spherical stupa in Nepal, and one of the largest in the world.
13. Badshahi Mosque
Famous for its grandeur, Badshahi is the third-largest Mosque in its home country of Pakistan, and is the largest standing mosque of the Mughal era. Erected in the late 17th century at the request of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the Mosque is decorated with red sandstone and marble inlays.
14. Chocolate Hills
A unique geological landmark, the Philippines’ “chocolate hills” are located on the country’s island of Bohol. The rounded hills stand tall at 393 feet, and their brown color was formed through years of weathering the limestone surface.
15. Merlion Statue
Known as the official mascot of Singapore, the Merlion statue stands at 28 feet tall. Aptly named after the design choice, which has the head of a lion and the body of a fish, the statue represents the city-state, sports teams, advertising, branding, and tourism sectors. The statue weighs 70 tons and cost around 165 thousand dollars to build.
Bjørn Christian Tørrissen on Wikimedia
16. Jeju Volcanic Island
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Jeju’s Volcanic island and lava tube system, has provided valuable contributions to our understanding of volcano systems. Located 80 miles south of South Korea’s peninsula, the island itself is only 714 square miles.
Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service on Wikimedia
17. Sigiriya Lion Rock
Located near the town of Dambulla in Sri Lanka, the ancient rock fortress known as Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, has massive historical and archeological significance. Nearly 600 feet tall and made entirely of granite, Lion Rock housed the palace of King Kashyapa in the 400s CE; however, it was abandoned after Kashyapa’s death.
18. Wat Arun
Named after the Hindu god Aruna, the charioteer of the sun god Surya, Wat Arun is a famous Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple was constructed in the 17th century, but its renowned spire was built later, likely in the early 19th century.
19. Burj Khalifa
Known as the tallest building in the world, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is 2,772 feet tall, over half a mile. The structure was completed in 2009 and was made of reinforced concrete and structural steel. It cost 1.5 billion US dollars to erect, and is named after the UAE’s former president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
20. Bà Nà Hills
Located in Vietnam, the Bà Nà Hills are a tourism destination in the Trường Sơn Mountains. Originally built in honor of a goddess worshipped by the Champa tribes, the tourism economy began in 1919 with the arrival of French colonists.
