Best spiritual destinations in Asia
Best spiritual destinations in Asia
Historic mountain temple paths and sacred pilgrimage complexes across Asia
Asia is where a lot of people go when they want to slow down, look inward or learn a practice they can take home with them.
Rishikesh in India is often called the yoga capital of the world, and many travelers stay a week or more for classes by the Ganges. Ubud in Bali is known for its rice terraces, water temples and a long list of retreats, from simple meditation courses to full wellness programs. In Bhutan, the hike up to the Tiger's Nest monastery, which clings to a cliff, is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one. For a quieter experience, the temple lodgings on Mount Koya in Japan let you join the monks for morning prayers and simple vegetarian meals.
Retreats and temple stays can fill up quickly in the busy season, so book ahead, and check whether a place expects silence, early mornings or a set daily schedule.
Lists by region
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
The deep sound of temple bells and the smell of incense drift through the hillside lanes of Higashiyama, where Fushimi Inari Shrine has thousands of red torii gates winding up a forested mountain. Zen temples such as Ryoanji have a rock garden of 15 stones while monks teach seated meditation.
City in Japan
Nara
Giant Buddha, tame deer and ancient temples
Todaiji Temple has a bronze Great Buddha about 49 feet tall inside one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, while Kasuga Taisha Shrine has thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. Deer roam the park and bow for crackers, since in the Shinto faith they were once seen as messengers of the gods.
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