9 Stunning Religious Sites Across Southeast Asia

This Instagram-famous pastel-pink temple with a sprawling dragon wrapped around it is only a short drive away from my apartment. Visitors can climb inside the dragon’s belly all the way around the building to reach the top, where they can leave offerings and walk three times around a Buddha statue to pray for protection for their families. There are also many other structures on the grounds that represent the sacred animals in Buddhism.

As a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the largest religious site in the world, this Hindu-Buddhist temple holds a rich history dating back to the 12th century. During the Cambodia excursion facilitated by TEAN, my peers and I got to explore this historic temple and the ruins of past temples in the surrounding area. We even ventured through the temple featured in the Tomb Raider movie (Ta Phrom), which features centuries-old trees growing out of the ruins!

The Batu Caves feature 272 colorful steps leading up to multiple Hindu temples nestled inside limestone mountains. The 141 ft gold statue on the exterior honors the Hindu God of War Murugan, standing as the tallest statue in the country. This site hosts the unique Thaipusam Festival, which is celebrated annually by Tamil Hindus.

This temple atop a mountain overlooking the city is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. It has six tiers and boasts numerous lanterns that make the temple glow at night. Visitors can explore the topmost levels of the temple, which offer 360º views of the nature and buildings of Kuala Lumpur.

Among many stunning temples of Chiang Mai, Wat Lok Moli stood out to me due to the contrast of the dark brick with the white and reflective detailing. Behind the main building rests a tall brick Chedi. Having visited a week after the famous Chiang Mai Lantern Festival, hundreds of colorful lanterns with prayers written on them were strung up in front of the Chedi, adding a beautiful touch.

As the name suggests, this temple hosts many Buddhist sacred relics, including the Buddha’s left canine tooth, all visible to visitors throughout the multiple floors of the building. The interior of this temple is stunning, with red and gold lining every inch of the walls. Located in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown, this temple attracts thousands of local and foreign devotees daily.

Better known as the Big Buddha, this site is home to a 112-foot-tall bronze Buddha statue. After climbing the 268 steps to the base, visitors can also ascend inside the structure. Being so close to the towering figure is truly breathtaking. This site is also next to the Wisdom Path, which includes a short yet scenic hike to a path lined with the Heart Sutra prayer inscribed on tall wooden planks.

At the time of its construction in the 17th century, the Church of St. Paul was one of the largest Catholic churches in Asia. Now, with only the front wall of the building remaining, it serves as a reminder of the region’s rich history. This site overlooks the bustling alleyways of Macau, representing the city’s distinct fusion of Portuguese and Chinese cultures. 

Ending with one of the most unique temples in Thailand, Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple, has a special history that blends religion with art. In addition to traditional Buddhist imagery, the temple grounds feature numerous unique elements like desperate hands reaching up from the ground, pop culture figures, and monster-like heads hanging from trees. This temple is different from anything I’ve seen before. View my last blog for more photos from this temple and other stunning temples in Chiang Rai!

I’m extremely grateful to be able to experience different countries’ cultures firsthand through their places of worship. While I couldn’t visit a site for every religion practiced in Southeast Asia, I was able to get a glimpse into the diverse values and beliefs held by countless people living in the region and across the world.