Every Asian country is blessed with a rich cultural past that continues to shine today, even centuries later. The greatest harbingers of this heritage are numerous awe-inspiring monuments that are a must-see at least once in your lifetime. So here's a guide to some of the wonders of Asia, which will take you on a ride into history and architecture and at the same time, satiate your wanderlust. Read on to know the most magnificent monuments in Asia that you cannot give a miss.
Where: Sichuan, China
Standing tall at a staggering height of 233m, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest statue of Buddha in the world. In fact, it is acclaimed as the tallest pre-modern statue in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beauty of the statue lies in the fact that it is completely carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Min River and Dadu River in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. One can go up till the head of the statue and enjoy the wonderful view of the magical landscape around.
Where: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Trust Dubai to add something this extravagant to their skyline. Renowned for being home to some of the most record-breaking buildings in the world, Dubai has added yet another gem to its crown. The Dubai Frame is a recently inaugurated monument that adorns the skyline of Dubai, towering at 500ft above Zabeel Park. This is the largest picture frame in the world which is not only a marvel in itself but also frames some of Dubai's most well known buildings like Emirates Towers and Burj Khalifa. The two towers are connected by a bridge at the top that is covered in glass while the ground-floor has a museum that showcases Dubai's progress over the years.
Where: Island Hokkaido, Japan
The northern-most tip of island Hokkaido in Japan is a breathtaking spot located 30km from Wakkanai City. The drive by the ocean, between these two spots is lined up with numerous monuments which are worth a visit. One can gain insight into Japanese history through the Tower of Prayer which was constructed in memory of the Korean Air Lines that was shot down in 1983; Monument of Peace, which commemorates submarines lost during the war and Cape Sōya that marks the northern most point of Japan.
Where: Bangkok, Thailand
The Emerald Buddha, seated at the Grand Palace in Thailand's capital city, Bangkok is known to be one of the most auspicious locations among Buddhists. Made of jade and jasper, this statue dates back to year 1434 and was reportedly found in extremely mysterious circumstances. If you're there in April, do catch the Chakri Day, a significant national holiday where the temple is visited by the royal family and the Prime Minister.
Where: Beijing, China
A breathtaking palace complex, the Forbidden City has been the realm of various emperors starting from the Ming Dynasty in year 1420. An exemplum of Chinese history and architecture, the complex has been listed as the the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world by UNESCO. Alongside, the palace also holds within it ceramics, paintings, artefacts and bronzeware from each period that the city witnessed.
Where: Spiti, India
If you're active on Instagram, there's no chance you haven't seen a million pictures of Ki Monastery looking surreal surrounded in snow. Dating as long back as the 14th century, the monastery has been an important centre for training of monks and lamas. Being at the monastery is not only an extraordinary experience because of the view, but also because of its murals, paintings and architecture that give you a peep into Buddhism in the 14th century.
Where: Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
The tallest twin-towers in the world, the Patronas Towers are overwhelming to behold, especially at night when the towers shimmer in silver. Within the towers, lies Malaysia's largest shopping mall that boasts of about 300 stores where you can shop till you drop! Moreover, the double decker skybridge that connects two towers as high as the 41st and 42nd floors is hailed as the highest bridge in the world, and is definitely a brilliant location to catch the sunset.
Where: Paro, Bhutan
The Taktsang Palphug or The Tiger's Nest is one of the most prominent sacred sites among Buddhists in Asia. It perches right at the edge of a cliff, right opposite one of the biggest waterfalls that you may ever see. A trip to Taktsang is not a cakewalk, one needs to take a medium-difficulty trek and climb down about 900 steps to reach it. Visit the monastry to find out the exciting tale of why it's called the Tiger's Nest.
So, if you're visiting any of these countries, be sure to visit these buildings, monuments and monasteries to get a better taste of the place's culture and past.
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