Asia, a beautiful and vast continent with numerous religions, traditions and cultures making it one of the most diverse places. Today, let's explore the five landmarks in Asia that are a must-see for any traveler!
Taj Mahal - India
(Elena-studio / iStock)
This extravagant tomb is essential on every traveler’s bucket list if they are visiting India. The Taj Mahal is a marvelous, white marble palace built in Agra, India. It was created in the early 1600s and has been standing strong ever since. This stunning 17th-century mausoleum was made by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved late wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who unfortunately passed away whilst giving birth. The Taj Mahal also includes the main gateway, a garden with fresh, crystal pools of water, a red sandstone mosque, and an identical building called the “Jawab.” The Taj Mahal is one of the seven modern wonders of the world and everything about this palace and its grounds are beautifully pristine and distinguished.
Pro Tip: I recommend visiting the Taj Mahal during the sunrise or sunset; the gorgeous amber hues reflect on the marble surfaces, making for phenomenal moments to capture.
Angkor Wat - Cambodia
Next, Angkor Wat, this world famous temple is undoubtedly a marvel of ancient civilisation, it is a masterpiece that leaves you speechless. With its striking and extraordinary monuments, floor plan, and complex system of canals, the site is an exemplar of Khmer (kh’my) architecture and has significant historical value. The overall landscape looks like an enormous rock but the closer you get, details start to manifest, like tall yet intricately designed towers, and chambers alongside gardens and courtyards. This place is definitely a must-see landmark to all those people heading to Cambodia.
Petronas Twin Towers - Malaysia
Being a citizen of Malaysia, the Twin Towers are one of the most distinct and incredible skyscrapers I have ever seen! Approximately 13,200 cubic meters of concrete was poured continuously for 54 hours into each tower, which holds the record for longest concrete pour in Malaysia. The 2 towers were contracted by 2 different companies, one Japanese and one Korean. When the second tower finished first, at that time, it was the world’s tallest tower! The full construction of the astonishing Twin Towers took 7 years in total to complete. The twin towers were created not only to be the tallest twin towers in the world, but to also represent the Malayan identity. Looking from above, you can see that each section consists of an eight-pointed star, which represents the Islamic culture. Right beneath the towers are a mall, Suria KLCC, and the Petronas Philharmonic Hall, and it is located in the busy capital, KL, so you can also do a lot more there.
Mount Fuji - Japan
Mount- Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan standing at 3766 meters high and is also an active volcano, which last erupted in 1707. It is one of the most recognizable and gorgeous mountains in existence, which is why it’s on the UNESCO world heritage list. It is surrounded by the 5 Fuji Lakes, which are named Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Saiko, Shōji and Motosu lakes. It is religiously important to people who practice Shinto, a religion which has roots in Japan. You should consider a trip to Mount Fuji if you visit Japan.
Sigiriya Fortress - Sri Lanka
Finally, we end with an interesting fusion of the human and natural world. It's an ancient city engraved on a rock column over 200m tall, and is surrounded by an extensive network of gardens alongside several lakes. Sigiriya is known as the eighth wonder of the world and it holds historical significance as it was constructed by King Kashyapa I, who ruled the Sinhalese dynasty, called the Moriya. Today, Sigiriya is a UNESCO - listed World Heritage Site, as it is an amazing example of ancient urban planning. Despite being less popular than some other landmarks, it is a breathtaking location that provides insights to a time almost forgotten, which is why I highly recommend visiting here if you ever travel to Sri Lanka.
Writer: Vayshnavi, Illustrator: Fanny Lau,
Designer: Kayleen Lee, Editor: Yelil Perumal, Sophia
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