Bales Blog | Far East Top 5 Temples

Angkor Wat Temple- Cambodia

Uncover the secrets of Cambodia's Angkor temple complex which lie in the jungles of Cambodia’s Siem Reap province. Here you will find the fascinating Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wonders of the 12^th century Angkor Wat Temple. Originally built as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu, the temples are filled with artistic treasures like the bas-relief galleries which vividly illustrate the tales of Cambodian history and legend. Stunningly preserved and visually captivating, it takes on an almost unearthly glow in the golden light of sunset.

Explore this temple on our on our Indochina Grand Tour

Bagan, Burma

Take a journey through Bagan’s ancient past and explore some of the regions thousands of temples. The Kingdoms of Bagan entered their golden age during the reign of King Anawrahta in 1057 when more than thirteen thousand temples, pagodas, and other religious structures were built on the banks of the Irrawaddy river. For a view like no other, a climb to the top of one of the many temples at dusk, which makes one of the most incredible panoramic vistas of this ancient landscape - complete with 2,200 temples scattered across a sandy desert.  

Explore this temple on our on our  Burma: The Golden Land Tour

The Temple of Heaven, China

Put simply The Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design which graphically illustrates the evolution of one of the world’s great civilizations. A tranquil oasis of peace, in one ofChina's busiest urban landscapes, it is best visited early in the morning to appreciate the locals performing the delicate movements of Tai Chi.

Explore this temple on our on our Essential China Tour

My Son, Vietnam

Set within the Vietnamese jungle are the historical ruins of My Son; the most important remains of the ancient kingdom of Champaand a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Champa Kingdom was an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history ofSouth-East Asia, vividly illustrated by the ruins of My Son. This sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with the introduction of Hindu architecture intoSouth-East Asia.

Explore this temple on our on our Historic Vietnam Tour

Ayutthaya, Thailand

The ancient capital of Ayutthayalies some 85km from Bangkok. Formerly the second capital of Siam, after Sukothai, it proved an integral part of the trading route which connected Malaysia with China and India. In 1700, you would have encountered a city resplendent with gold-laden palaces and trading vessels from all over the world. What remains today, in this UNESCO recognised site, are temples and palaces which hark back to the golden age ofSiam.

Explore this temple on our on our Boutique Thailand, suggested Tailor made Tour