Introduction
When I traveled to Asia for the first time, I was in awe. The architecture, food, and people were all so different than what I was used to. But one of the best parts about visiting Asia is that there are so many iconic attractions here that everyone should see before they die. These are the top five places my friends and I visited on our last trip:
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia built between the 9th and 15th centuries. It’s the world’s largest religious monument and one of the most famous temples in Asia.
Angkor Wat was originally constructed as a Hindu temple, but now it has been restored as part of an archaeological park that includes many other ruins from different eras and religions. The main structure is surrounded by a large moat with four bridges leading to its entrance gate, which faces east towards sunrise on holy days such as New Year’s Day (January 1).
The central tower rises above all other buildings at 200 meters (656 feet) high–making it visible from miles away! Its spire contains five levels topped by four small stupas representing Buddha’s previous lives; each level also has carved figures of deities from Hindu mythology sitting atop lotus flowers held up by lions’ heads carved into pillars supporting the roof beams above them.[1]
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal, a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during childbirth in 1631. The Taj Mahal stands on an elevated platform that has an area of about 1 hectare (2 acres).
The complex includes several other buildings: the gateway to its west; four smaller but similar tombs–those of Mumtaz Mahal’s sister; another wife; daughter-in-law Noor Jahan (who financed their construction); and servant Fateh Begum–flanking its eastern side; two mosques at either end; fountains inside each courtyard with reflecting pools outside them; gardens with water channels along both sides leading up to each entrance gate so visitors could see themselves reflected in water while walking through them!
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a symbol of China and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. It was built to protect China from invaders and stretches more than 6,000 miles, making it the longest wall in history.
The wall is made up of stone, brick and tamped earth that varies in height depending on how high they wanted it to be. Some sections are up to 30 feet tall while others are only 8 feet tall (2 meters). The best place to see this wonder is at Badaling, near Beijing where there is an observation platform where you can get great views over some parts of this amazing structure
Borobudur temple, Indonesia
One of the most iconic attractions in Asia is Borobudur, a Buddhist temple that was built in the 9th century. The temple is located in Central Java, Indonesia. It’s the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Borobudur consists of six square platforms topped by three circular terraces with 72 Buddha statues seated inside per side (1,460 total). At its peak lies an open space containing another Buddha statue inside–the largest at 26 meters tall! The entire structure measures 116 meters tall–that’s almost as high as an 11-story building!
Terracotta Army in Xi’an, China
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It was discovered in 1974 by some local farmers near Xi’an, who were digging a well when they came across an underground chamber containing thousands of life-sized clay soldiers.
The site has since been turned into one of the most popular tourist destinations in China and an absolutely incredible sight to behold!
Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings surrounded by walls, located in the center of Bangkok. It’s the most important royal palace and Buddhist temple complex in Thailand, and it was built in 1782 by King Rama I. The palace has been renovated many times since then; today, it houses several temples and religious monuments as well as administrative offices for both the king and queen of Thailand.
The Grand Palace has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 because it’s considered one of Asia’s most beautiful examples of traditional architecture (it also happens to be my favorite).
Floating Markets in Thailand
Floating markets are a great way to see the local culture. There are many floating markets in Thailand, but the most famous is Damnoen Saduak, which is about an hour from Bangkok. The market is open daily from 5am to 5pm and you can easily walk around it in an hour or two if you’re on your own.
Floating markets were traditionally used as places for people to buy and sell their goods or foodstuffs while they traveled by boat along rivers and canals throughout Thailand. They served as a way for farmers and fisherman to get around easily without having to travel long distances by land–and now they’re popular tourist attractions!
Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument near Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and the world’s largest Buddhist monument. The temple consists of six stacked platforms topped by five circular towers. The uppermost platform measures 116 meters (381 ft) in diameter and can be ascended by stairs or an elevator from within the central stupa.
Borobudur was built as a Mahayana Buddhist pilgrimage site that represents all aspects of Buddha’s life: past birth (lower terraces), his present life (middle terraces), and future rebirths (upper level). Borobudur has been excavated since 1814, but many parts remain buried unexcavated under layers of volcanic ash deposits up to 5 meters deep at some points in the complex.[1]
Traveling is exciting, especially when you visit iconic attractions for the first time.
Traveling is exciting, especially when you visit iconic attractions for the first time. But there is a lot of pressure on tourists to visit these places because they are supposed to be the best and most beautiful in the world.
You should also consider visiting some less famous attractions that may not have as much history or significance but still offer something unique and memorable.
Conclusion
Traveling is exciting, especially when you visit iconic attractions for the first time. It’s also a great way to experience new cultures and learn more about other people’s lives around the world. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next trip, check out these beautiful locations in Asia!