I continue presenting World Heritage Sites by continent. Now I bring 15 wonderful places from Asia!
Table of Contents
Most beautiful Asian World Heritage Sites
The Great Wall of China
China’s symbol is one of the world’s most famous architectural wonders.
Its construction took place over more than two thousand years, from the 7th century BC until the Ming Dynasty. Its purpose was to protect the country from attacks from the north, especially from nomadic invasions. The Ming-era section is the most famous, spanning nearly 21,000 kilometers. The wall’s width varies between 5-8 meters, and its height ranges from 6-10 meters.
The most visited section is Badaling. It’s easily accessible from Beijing and excellently restored. For those who want to see a less crowded section, Mutianyu is recommended, which is located in beautiful mountainous surroundings.
My trip to China – part 3: The Great Wall
Taj Mahal
When it comes to India, most people definitely mention this magnificent building first.
The white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1648 in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1983, and it is considered one of the world’s most outstanding architectural masterpieces.
The complex includes the central mausoleum, which consists of a structure built on a square base, decorated with an onion dome. It is surrounded by beautifully designed gardens, fountains, pools, and mosques.
Angkor Archaeological Park
One of Cambodia’s most significant historical and cultural sites served as the center of the Khmer Empire.
The park covers more than 400 square kilometers and contains numerous temples, palaces, reservoirs, and other architectural wonders. It was once the center of one of Southeast Asia’s most developed cities. The site is unique in that it combines elements of Hinduism and Buddhism, as the empire’s religious center alternated between the two belief systems.
Its most famous part is Angkor Wat. The world’s largest religious building is famous for its symmetry, towers, and carvings depicting stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Also worth mentioning are the Bayon temple with its hundreds of stone faces and Ta Prohm in its jungle environment.
Historic Center of Bukhara
One of Uzbekistan’s most important cultural and historical sites is located along the ancient Silk Road. The most beautiful Uzbek city after Samarkand.
In the Middle Ages, it was one of Central Asia’s most important commercial, religious, and cultural centers. The city became one of the Islamic world’s most important sites through its famous madrasas, mosques, minarets, caravanserais, and bazaars.
The city center has preserved its traditional urban structure for centuries. One of its most famous buildings is the Kalon Minaret, which is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and the Lyab-i Hauz square, which is a complex built around a beautiful madrasa. Most of the historical buildings were built between the 9th and 17th centuries and can still be seen almost in their original condition today.
Petra
The Rose-Red City is one of Jordan’s most famous World Heritage sites, representing the ancient Nabataean civilization’s impressive architectural and cultural heritage.
Due to its strategic location, it became an important trading center connecting Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and the Mediterranean region. Its uniqueness lies in how the Nabataeans excellently adapted to the desert environment, building advanced water management systems and channels.
Petra is accessible through a narrow canyon, the Siq. The city consists of thousands of buildings, tombs, temples, and reservoirs carved directly into the sandstone cliffs. One of the most famous structures is Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), which is the city’s iconic part.
Lumbini
The small town in southern Nepal is a sacred site of Buddhism. According to tradition, this is where Gautama Siddhartha, or Buddha, was born in 623 BC.
The central site is the Maya Devi Temple, which commemorates Buddha’s mother, Maya Devi. The Ashoka Pillar marks Buddha’s exact birthplace. The artifact from 249 BC is one of the most important memorials of the Mauryan Empire.
Its uniqueness also lies in its diversity: many countries, including China, Japan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, have built their own monasteries and monuments here.
Ancient Town of Hoi An
Located in central Vietnam, the city is one of the best-preserved historical trading centers in Southeast Asia.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, it functioned as an important maritime trading port where Chinese, Japanese, European, and Vietnamese cultures met. This resulted in a place with a unique atmosphere. A good example is the Japanese Covered Bridge in the city center, the old merchant houses, and the pagodas.
However, it’s special not only for its architecture but also because its traditions have survived to this day. Traditional crafts such as lantern making, weaving, and handicraft production are still part of locals’ daily lives.
Historic City of Ayutthaya
The city, not far from Bangkok, was the capital of the Siamese Kingdom between the 14th and 18th centuries.
The city’s ruins, temples, and shrines all evoke the kingdom’s golden age. The city’s design and construction combine elements of Hindu and Buddhist religions. Its most famous building is the Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple, which was once the country’s most important religious and political center.
Even after its destruction in 1767, Ayutthaya maintained its significance. Although the city was ruined, the site’s heritage remains an important part of Thailand’s history.
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
One of Sri Lanka’s most important historical and religious sites is one of the best-preserved ancient cities.
It was the capital of the Sri Lankan Kingdom between the 11th and 13th centuries and played a significant role in the development of the island’s culture, religion, and art. It’s famous for its impressive temples, palace, shrines, and monuments, many of which are still well-preserved today.
The Gal Vihara temple in the city center features Buddha statues that are outstanding examples of the island’s Buddhist art. Another famous temple is Wat Mahathat, which was a center of Buddhism. In the Royal Palace Complex, the ruins of the royal palace reflect the power of the Ceylonese kings.
Singapore Botanical Gardens
One of the world’s most famous and most visited botanical gardens contains more than 10,000 species of plants.
Founded in 1859, the garden covers approximately 80 hectares and encompasses numerous different gardens and landscapes, including the famous Orchid Garden, which contains the world’s largest orchid collection. It showcases more than a thousand species.
Borobudur Temple Complex
Located in Indonesia on the island of Java, this Buddhist temple complex is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its artistic, religious, and historical significance.
It is one of the largest and most complex religious structures in the world. It contains approximately 2,500 stone figures, 504 Buddhas, and numerous other statues. The temple reflects the teachings and philosophy of Mahayana Buddhism, and each level of the temple complex has religious significance.
Its central part is a massive, pyramid-shaped structure surrounded by lower-level galleries. The building’s external dimensions and structure follow symbolism that plays an important role in Buddhist religion and Indonesian culture.
Historic City of Vigan
The city located in the Philippines is one of the best examples of Spanish colonial architectural heritage.
The old town features narrow streets, colonial-style houses, and stone buildings from the Spanish period. These include baroque churches, special ornate wooden structures, and Spanish palaces. The city center is Calle Crisologo, an old street that is also among the World Heritage sites, famous for its old houses and stone-paved sidewalks.
The local culture is also notable. The people living here have maintained their traditions and ancient crafts such as wood and stone carving or textile manufacturing.
Himeji Castle
Japan’s most impressive palace is also known as the „White Princess Castle”.
It’s actually a 13th-century Japanese fortress famous for its white walls and special architectural solutions. The complex consists of dozens of buildings, and the main building rises from the landscape with multiple levels and angular forms.
Its main attraction lies in clever architectural solutions such as narrow passages and complex labyrinths. These confused enemies while giving defenders opportunities to defend. The castle’s interior areas are beautifully decorated and contain numerous valuable samurai weapons and artworks.
Luang Prabang
This picturesque city is the cultural and spiritual center of Laos.
In the former royal capital, we can see a fascinating blend of traditional Laotian architecture, French colonial style, and Buddhist spirituality. The city’s name comes from the „Prabang” statue, a Buddha image that is one of the country’s most sacred relics.
As the spiritual center of Laotian Buddhism, it houses more than 30 temples and monasteries. The daily life of Buddhist monks, such as the morning alms collection, is an integral part of the city’s culture. It hosts numerous traditional festivals, including Pi Mai Lao (Laotian New Year).
Hahoe and Yangdong Historic Villages
These are outstanding examples of centuries-old rural architecture in South Korea.
Built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), these villages are typical examples that bring to life Confucian culture and ancient farming traditions. Both villages are set in beautiful natural surroundings: Hahoe Village is encircled by the Andong River, while Yangdong Village is surrounded by mountains and streams.
Living descendants in these villages continue to preserve ancient customs and festivals, such as Hahoe Village’s famous mask dance, which is an important element of Korean folklore. Yangdong was also famous as a center for scholars and writers who made significant intellectual contributions to the country’s culture during the Joseon period.
