The name “Surat Thani” literally means "City of Good People", a title bestowed by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1915, recognizing the piousness of its residents. But its roots dig even deeper, this area was once part of the mighty Srivijaya Empire, a Buddhist thalassocratic (sea-based) kingdom that thrived from the 7th to the 13th century. You can still sense its grandeur in ruins like the Wiang Sa and Chaiya districts, which hold relics of that once-glorious empire.

Rising high above the mountains of Doi Inthanon National Park, these two beautiful pagodas were built to commemorate the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987 and Queen Sirikit in 1992. These monuments stand as powerful symbols of Thailand’s deep reverence for its monarchy, its enduring Buddhist traditions and the unity of the Thai people.

Wat Phan Tao is one of Chiang Mai’s lesser known yet historically rich temples, quietly nestled in the heart of the city’s ancient walled quarter. Located just beside the more prominent Wat Chedi Luang, it often sits in its shadow, both figuratively and literally, but offers a tranquil, deeply atmospheric contrast. The temple dates back to the 14th century, during the reign of the Mangrai Dynasty and originally served not as a grand site of worship but as the residence for mo

Rarely visited and tucked away at the foot of Kyoto’s Otagi Mountain, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a temple that feels worlds apart from the polished shrines and crowds of nearby Arashiyama. Moss-laden, quiet and steeped in a peculiar charm, it is best known for the 1,200 stone Rakan statues that dot its grounds, each a unique, hand-carved representation of one of Buddha’s disciples. Their expressions range from joyful to meditative, grinning, laughing, sipping sake, or caught in sil

The Blue Temple, also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten, is a striking Buddhist temple, renowned for its stunning blue and gold color scheme. Built in 2005 on the site of an ancient abandoned shrine, it is a relatively new addition to Chiang Rai’s historical landscape and was funded by a local artist named Phuttha Kabkaew, who had a strong vision of fusing the beauty of traditional Buddhist art in the contemporary world.

The Red Cliff Carvings, also referred to as the Red Cliff Grottoes, are indeed ancient but their exact age is not definitively documented. Based on the creation of the nearby Leshan Buddha, these carvings likely date between 618AD and 960AD. They are located on the northern cliffs of the Emei Mountain Range, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the year 774, in the small town of Zentsūji on the island of Shikoku, Japan, a child named Kūkai was born. This child would grow up to become one of the most influential and revered figures in Japanese religious history. Known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi, Kūkai would not only found the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism but would also leave a profound legacy that shaped both religious practices and Japanese culture for centuries to come.

Formally known as Rokuonji, the Golden Pavilion is richly adorned with shimmering pure gold leaf and casts an impressive reflection off the surrounding waters of Kyōko-chi, the mirror pond. An icon of Japanese architecture, it is listed as a ‘Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto’ as a World Heritage Site. The pavilion’s striking beauty, especially when mirrored in the still waters below, exemplifies the harmony between architecture and nature that defines traditional Japanese d

Tucked away on the Andaman Coast of Thailand, Railay Beach is a breathtaking peninsula located between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang, accessible only by boat due to the sheer limestone cliffs that cut it off from the mainland. Today, it’s a paradise for rock climbers and beach lovers but its story runs much deeper than its stunning scenery.

Consumed by jungle and time, very little is known about this temple ruin but it is believed this stone monument was once an ancient hermitage, a meditation retreat for elite monks or a sanctuary for sacred manuscripts. Located near the northwest corner of the holy reservoir of East Baray, deep inside the Angkor Archaeological Park, it was designed and constructed by King Jayavarman VII during the late 12th century.

Located among the narrow, winding lanes just south of Chiang Mai’s historic South Gate, Wat Sri Suphan stands as the dazzling centerpiece of the Haiya subdistrict, a historic residential area renowned for its traditional silver workshops. An inscription within the temple grounds reveals that the complex was originally built in 1501 during the reign of King Mueang Kaeo, the 11th ruler of the Lanna Kingdom’s Mangrai Dynasty.

Hidden beneath the dramatic limestone cliffs of Guilin’s Seven Stars Park lies a sprawling karst cave system, veiled in myth and mystery. Named after the seven towering peaks that crown the landscape, said to mirror the celestial pattern of the Big Dipper, this subterranean realm has captivated explorers and spiritual seekers for a millennia.

Founded more than 1700 years ago during the Han Dynasty, Huanglongxi began as a vital Silk Road trade settlement nestled on the banks of the winding Huanglong River in Chengdu. Legend says the town earned its name from a fierce yellow dragon that once guarded the serpentine stream weaving through its cobbled alleyways, a guardian spirit as mysterious and enduring as the town itself.

Tucked behind the imposing facade of Kongōbu-ji Temple, the head temple of Koyasan’s esoteric Shingon Buddhism, lies Japan’s largest Zen rock garden, Banryūtei, or “The Garden of the Reclining Dragon.” Far from your average gravel swirls, Banryūtei is a deliberate masterpiece spanning over 2300 square metres. It was established in 1984, some 1150 years after the death of Grand Master Kobo Daishi, as a place of calm contemplation.

Once a vibrant and influential hub, this ancient metropolis was founded in 1350 by U-Thong (later crowned Ramathibodi I) and became the...

Built in the early 19th century, Chalong Temple (Wat Chaitararam) is the largest and most revered of Phuket's 29 Buddhist temples. Located near the southern tip of the island, it attracts both locals and visitors from around the world, drawn by its historical and spiritual significance.

Tucked away in the misty northwestern hills of Kyoto, the secluded temple of Adashino Nenbutsuji rests in quiet solemnity. Surrounded by bamboo groves and age-old trees, it is both picturesque and profoundly haunting. In antiquity, this hillside was a final destination for the forgotten dead, those who passed with no family, no mourners and no names.

Originally established in the early 19th century as a humble hermitage tucked beneath the shade of dense tropical foliage, Vĩnh Tràng...

Situated at the foothills of Mount Emei, the Baoguo Temple serves as a gateway to one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and stands as testament to the rich history and spiritual heritage of the region. Originally founded around 100AD, the current temple complex underwent extensive restoration during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century, under the watchful eye of Emperor Kanxi.

Bursting with an impressive collection of ancient cultural treasures, Eikan-dō is a sprawling complex of gardens and halls, most famous for its crimson maple leaves in Autumn. Established in 853 at the northern foot of Mount Higashiyama, this temple was a place of learning that nurtured the Pure Land sect it now belongs to.