Southeast Asia is home to many incredible pieces of architecture, not least its religious structures. Luckily for you, you're about to see these temples in the latest high definition-quality footage without ever having to set foot in any of the countries where these beautiful structures are located. From the jungles of Cambodia, to the open plains of Bagan, to a hidden gem in the bustling Thai capital of Bangkok, here are some of the most stunning temples in Southeast Asia:
Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
The temple complex known as Angkor Wat was originally constructed as a Hindu site of worship in the early 12th Century, however, it was later converted to a Buddhist temple. Angkor, the ancient city where the temple complex is located, was the largest pre-industrial city in the world, with a population of approximately 750,000 people at its peak. Furthermore, the Angkor Wat temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world.
Temples of Ancient Bagan, Myanmar
Another spectacular ancient capital city that is home to more than 2,200 temples is Bagan, which was the capital of the ancient Pagan Empire that was at its height between the 9th and 13th Centuries. The wealth that the region generated through trading with its neighbors and beyond allowed all the lavish temples to be built. Spread out across the Bagan plains, they make for an astonishing sight - some even say Bagan gives Angkor a run for its money in terms of how impressive it is.
Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand
The Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is the most sacred Buddhist temple in all of Thailand. Located within the precincts of the Grand Palace, the seat of the ruler of Thailand, it is a palladium for Thai people and Thai society at large. The temple, which was built in the 18th Century, gets its name from a Buddha statue that was carved out of a single large emerald. The statue is believed to have originated in India, and dates back to the 14th Century, however, this has never been verified.
