Best Buddha Temples in Asia. There is something quite mystical about Asia. I guess it’s got to do with how religious people are on this side of the world.
It’s almost impossible to visit an East Asian country without seeing some display of religion on the streets from time to time.
And just like churches on the west side of the world, people here have temples.
Some of them are modest, some of them are big and some have beautiful and impressive Buddha statues.
Here’s a list of the – according to me – Best Buddha Temples in Asia
1 Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.
Location: Kaosiung, Taiwan
The southern city of Kaohsiung on the beautiful island of Formosa, is home to one of the most amazing Buddha monasteries you’ll see in your life, I can guarantee that.
The monastery belongs to Fo Guang Shan. This is an international Chinese Buddhist monastic group based in Taiwan. This organization is also one of the biggest charities in the country.
The monastery was founded in 1967. The order of this monastery promotes Humanistic Buddhism, which aims to put more emphasis on the living rather than the dead.
They integrate traditional Buddhism into modern everyday life.
There was a time when this monastery was closed to public access. Only monks living in the monastery were allowed in. At the end of 2000, it reopened its doors.
The Fo Guang Shan order is also known for making use of the latest technology and keeping temples well furnished.
Oh and if you’re lucky enough be in Taiwan during Chinese new year celebrations, you might want to go down south to the temple and see the fireworks.
It’s still too early to know exactly when the next celebration will be.
But I’ll try to update the information right here in this post as the date approaches.
How to get to Fo Guang Shan?
Well, chances are that you’ll land in Taipei -as the international airport is located in near the capital- from Taipei Main Station you can either
Take a bus – 4 hours ride- to Kaohsiung, or take the high-Speed rail which will take around one hour and a half.
If you take the high-speed rail you have to get off at Xin Zuoying station. From there take bus E02, it’ll take you other 30 minutes to finally get to the monastery.
Entry fee: No entry fee, you’re welcome to donate and you also have the choice to buy souvenirs if you wish.
2 Buddha Park, Xieng Khuan
Location: Vientiane, Laos.
This is an open air sculpture park. Don’t forget your sunscreen, this place has an ancient look and feel, and it might also feel a little bit scary.
The main statue or at least one of the statues that stands out the most is a 120 meters reclining Buddha. You’ll also find other statues belonging to Hindu gods and demons.
The park is not as old as it may look. Bunleua Sulila founded it in 1958. He was a monk who practiced both religions.
There is a spot in the park where you can catch a good look of the whole area. All you have to do is enter the Pumpkin of HELL!!!!
Near the entrance of the park, you’ll find a pumpkin like structure. You can go inside through the mouth of a demon on one of the sides of the pumpkin. Once inside you can climb your way up to the top.
Inside the Pumpkin, there are 3 levels which represent hell, earth, and heaven.
Xieng Khuan means spirit city.
How to get to the Buddha Park of Vientiane?
It’s very simple, take a tuk-tuk. The place is not that far from the center of Vientiane. It’s very convenient and affordable, and it’ll give you the chance to see more of Vientiane.
The park is located near the border with Thailand, is perfect for those travelers who are making their way to the beautiful country of Thailand.
You can also take public transportation. If you’d like to read more about Vientiane and other ways to get to this park please click here Old Gods in Vientiane
Entry fee: To enter the park you must pay 5000 KIP, which is around 0.58 USD. To have the right to use a professional camera inside the park you’ll have to pay extra 3000 KIP
3 Temple of the Emerald Buddha | Grand Palace
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
The bustling city of Bangkok is more recognized by its vibrant nightlife, nightclub, street food, night markets, and floating markets.
But something some people don’t realize is that this city is house to some really beautiful temples.
The official name is Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. It’s regarded as the most sacred temple of all in Thailand. When you visit this place you must wear long pants and cover your shoulders or they won’t let you in.
In this temple you’ll find the statue of the Emerald Buddha.
Thais believe that the safety of the nation relies on this Emerald statue. The 66 centimeters tall statue supposedly made its way to Bangkok all the way from India.
It was placed in its current location in 1782, the year in which the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand, which still holds the Kingdom, came into power.
The Emerald Buddha temple is actually a complex with many buildings, statues, pagoda-like structures, halls, and paintings. The Emerald Buddha is located in the main building of course.
When you enter the building where the Emerald Buddha is you have to take off your shoes.
Sit in a crossed leg position -feet must NOT face the statue- and you can not take pictures of the statue.
The God of Creation is in Bangkok.
This statue is so sacred that only the king can touch it 3 times a year to change the cloak around it.
Oh, and one more thing, they call it Emerald Buddha because but, for Thais, Emerald simply means deep green color. In reality, the statue is made out of Jade.
How to get to The Emerald Buddha?
From the center of the city, you can take a tuk-tuk or grab (Kind of like Uber). This is really the easiest and most convenient way to get there.
If you’re feeling adventurous you could take a bus. Buses number 508, 2 and 25 will drop you off really close. Just check your Google maps and find which one is more convenient for you.
18 Questions and Answers about Thailand
It’s also possible to reach the temple by boat. You could take the BTS Silom line, get off at Saphan Taksin station, walk towards Sathorn Pier and get on a boat. It’ll drop you off 4 minutes away from the temple.
Entry Fee: 500 Bahts, this also includes access to the grand palace area.
Let’s continue with this list of Best Buddha Temples in Asia
4 Wat Pho, Reclining Buddha
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Yet another Buddha temple in Bangkok. This temple was founded even before Bangkok became the capital of the Kingdom. People believe this temple came into existence around 1688-1703.
Wat Pho is considered to be one of the six royal temples of Thailand. Its close proximity to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha temple helped it gain the status of Royal monastery.
In this complex there are approximately 100 Buddha images, the biggest statue is the golden reclining Buddha.
The Reclining Buddha statue in Bangkok and the chapel that houses it were both built in 1832, it’s one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand.
A Beautiful Trip Through Thailand
The reclining position means the passing of Buddha to nirvana.
A state of total liberation and happiness, the moment when we’ll no longer reincarnate, live, suffer, die again, reincarnate again and repeat.
How to get to Wat Pho?
If you’re already at the Emeral Buddha location you can just walk, Wat Pho will be just 6 minutes away.
Otherwise, you can follow the same instructions I gave you to reach the Emerald Buddha temple.
Take a tuk-tuk, a grab, or take the long and more scenic route through the river.
Entry Fee: 100 bahts, and it includes free water.
If you go during summertime you’ll need that water, last time I was there my skin was burning.
I had to take out an umbrella, just like a Korean girl taking care of her skin ha!
5 Tian Tan Buddha
Location: Lantau Island, Hong Kong
The mountains around it, the fresh air and the cable car ride above blue waters. This is one of my favorite Buddha temples.
The Buddha statue in this temple was completed in 1993. It symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and faith. This is one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world.
Once you make it to the top of the hill, which is a little bit challenging, you’ll see all the beautiful details. The statue of Buddha is sitting on top of a huge bronze lotus flower.
All around it, there are 6 smaller statues known as the offerings of the six devas that symbolize the 6 perfections, Generosity, Morality, Patience, Zeal, Meditation and Wisdom.
In this area- near the statue of Buddha- you’ll also find a little village full of restaurants and many souvenir shops. You’ll also find the Po Lin monastery.
How to get to Tian Tan Buddha?
It’s quite simple, take the metro to Tung Chung station, get off and walk towards the cable car station and get a ticket to Ngong Ping Village.
Once you’re there you’ll only have to walk for around 10 minutes to reach the statue of Tian Tan Buddha.
Entry Fee: The area around the Buddha, walking upstairs and take a close look is free of charge.
But if you want to go inside the Buddha statue you have to pay a fee of 78 HKD
6 Leshan Giant Buddha
Location: Sichuan, China
The Dad of all Buddha statues. This is the biggest Buddha statue in the world, at least among the ones that are carved out of stone.
This is definitely my favorite one in this Best Buddha Temples in Asia list.
This statue is 71 meters tall and was built between 713 and 803. The construction was started by a Chinese monk named Hai Tong. It was finished 70 years later by his disciples.
Why carve a huge Buddha out of a cliff? Well, as you can see the Leshan Giant Buddha is sitting facing a river, which back then was very difficult to navigate due to strong currents and many ships were sunk.
Building the Buddha statue was the solution the monk thought of at the time. It was supposed to calm the turbulent waters, and even though he did not live to see his masterpiece done.
The purpose was accomplished.
Apparently, due to all the rocks and stones being carved out of the cliff and falling into the river, the waters did become calm.
The statue was originally covered by a 13 floors wooden structure to protect it from the rain and the sun.
Unfortunately, such a structure was destroyed by the Mongols when they invaded China.
How to get to the Leshan Giant Buddha?
China is huge, so the first thing you have to do is take a flight to Chengdu Shuangliu international airport. This is the major airport serving Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.
Directly at the airport, you can take the high-speed train to Leshan. It will take you only around 50 minutes to get there.
Once you’re there take bus number 3 and you’ll reach the entrance of the scenic Leshan Giant Buddha area in around 40 minutes.
Entry fee: 90 yuan.
7 Chin Prathanporn Buddha
Location: Kanchanaburi, Thailand
This majestic statue is located in Wat Tham Sua Kanchanaburi , is one of the most famous temples of Kanchanaburi.
Kanchanaburi is a rural area close to the border with Myanmar. Tourists usually visit this place to do activities like hiking, caving, and rafting.
2 major tourist attractions are the Death Railways and the Allied War Cemetery.
The temple is located about 12 kilometers away from Kanchanaburi town and to visit it you’ll have to pay a tuk-tuk or visit on your own if you’re driving. There is no public transportation.
The first thing you’ll notice when you’re approaching the area is the 18 meters tall Golden Buddha statue.
To see it up close you’ll have to climb some steps or pay for a short cable car ride.
The Buddha statue was built in 1973. The temple and the statue were built with the purpose of locals having a place to pay their respects to Buddha.
How to get to Wat Tham Sua Kanchanaburi?
It’s easy to get here from Bangkok. There are many tour companies offering day tours to Kanchanaburi.
But if that’s not how you roll then you can just simply take the train.
You can catch the train from Thonburi station in Bangkok. It’ll take you 2 hours and a half or 3 hours to get there. It’s really the best way to see the countryside of Thailand.
Entry fee: Free of Charge
8 Lama Temple
Location: Beijing, China
Beijing and Shanghai in one week.
This temple is a mix of traditional Chinese Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. It also goes by the name of Yonghe Temple or Yonghe Lamasery.
The construction of this temple began in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty. It was when prince Yong took the throne that half of the building was turned into a Tibetan monastery.
Eventually, the monastery became the home of many Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet.
After 1949 the temple was declared a national monument and access was closed for 32 years.
It reopened its doors to the public in 1981, now it works as a temple and tourist attraction.
Inside one the buildings, you’ll find a huge statue of Buddha Maitreya. This is the biggest wooden Buddha statue in the world, it was carved out of a single white sandalwood log.
The body of the statue is 26 meters tall and 8 meters wide. It was gifted to emperor Qianglong by the seventh Dalai Lam in 1750.
Shanghai and Beijing in 1 Week
How to get to Lama Temple in Beijing?
You’ll be glad to know that is very simple and convenient. There are 2 metro lines – Subway Line 2 and Line 5 – in the Beijing metro system that stop at Yonghe Temple Station.
Take exit c and walk south for around 400 meters, you’ll find the temple on the east side of the road.
Entry fee: 25 Yuan, you can also rent an audio guide.
9 Bongeunsa Temple
Location: Seoul, South Korea
The last one on this Best Buddha Temples in Asia list.
This is another temple that has been around for a while. Its origins can be traced back to 794 when all there was around in Seoul were open fields, trees, and villages.
Just like Korean people, this temple, unfortunately, has had to withstand the horrors of war. During the Korean war, many of its buildings were destroyed by fire.
The current temple we see today is actually a product of many renovations that took place between 1941 and 1982.
Fun Activities in Korea During Winter
The main attraction of the temple is a 28 meter tall standing Buddha statue. It’s the representation of the future Buddha named Maitreya.
What is the future Buddha?
According to Buddhist traditions, the Maitreya or future Buddha is someone who will appear in this world sometime in the future.
This entity will be a Buddhist who is on his/her way to full enlightenment and will teach the pure Dharma.
Dharma is a concept that refers to behaviors that are in full accordance with the natural order of things and the “right way of living”
The future Buddha is supposed to appear once humankind has lost its way.
What I really like about this temple is that is close to the city, but in an interesting way is very calm and peaceful.
You can walk uphill behind the statue and see the back of it with buildings in the background, is quite a nice view.
How to get to Bongeunsa Temple?
Getting here is simple, cheap and convenient, all you have to do is get in the subway and make your way towards it.
You can get off at Samseong Station on the green line and from there you’ll walk for around 13 minutes.
Entry fee: Free of Charge
Conclusion, Best Buddha Temples in Asia
East Asia is full of beautiful countries with a lot to offer, one of those things being the many Buddha temples that attract and surprise with their beauty and history.
Hope you guys have the chance to visit some of these spots.
If there is any other Buddha temple you want me to add to the Best Buddha Temples in Asia list please let me know in the comments.