Southeast Asia Spiritual Places and Trips
Southeast Asia is well known for its beaches and nightlife yet its constituent countries are also deeply entwined with culture and religion and, as a result, there are numerous delightful sites of significant spiritual worth and meaning. Today many are ruins, such as the region’s most famous site, Angkor Wat. Others continue to have important significance in the lives of the Buddhists, Muslims and Christians who occupy the region, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A truly memorable experience; a trip to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is about as spiritual as it gets with its numerous ancient temples from the Angkor civilization spread over a huge area. While most of it throngs with tourists, one can travel to more tranquil parts of the park to be alone.
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand
Thailand’s star attraction of art, architecture and religion comes together in the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the royal temple). The latter houses the much revered Emerald Buddha; Thailand’s most important relic.
Wat Xieng Thong, Laos
Luang Prabang’s glittering Xieng Thong temple (Temple of the Golden City) juts out into the Mekong River and sits in a lovely setting. Some of the temples feature stunning glass mosaics as facades, while another contains a chariot complete with dragons heads and a king’s remains.
Cao Dai Holy See Temple, Vietnam
A faith of many beliefs, the Cao Dai headquarters is delightful and one of articulate paintings and mosaics. The spiritual home of the Cao Dai religion can be found in Tay Ninh to the north of Ho Chi Minh City.
Uluwatu Temple, Bali
Uluwatu, on the southernmost tip of Bali, is more synonymous with surfing than spirituality, yet perched on a clifftop 70m above the crashing surf is one of Bali’s six directional temples. The setting and sunsets invoke thoughts of wellbeing.
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya was capital of Siam, presiding over a rich and powerful kingdom. Today only ruins remain, owing to the 18th century sacking of the city by the Burmese, and many visitors come here for spiritual gratification.
Basakih Temple, Bali
A fine spiritual daytrip from Kuta, Bali’s Basakih Temple (Mother Temple) is a stunning Hindu creation featuring almost two-dozen temples that represent Balinese culture well.
Wat Arun, Thailand
Bangkok’s Wat Arun was so named after Aruna (the Indian god of dawn), and is one of the country’s most unique temples. The lofty Khmer-style spire is covered in porcelain tiles left behind by Chinese merchant ships.
Plain of Jars, Xieng Khouang, Laos
Wandering among the numerous huge stone urns of Xieng Khouang in northern Laos can be uplifting. Some of these 2,000-year-old jars are higher than a man and were possibly built as sarcophagi.
Pyay, Burma
Burma’s largest archaeological site (the ancient Pyu capital of Thayekhittaya) can be discerned on a two-day boat journey from Bagan. Although ruined, the many pagodas and city walls are in good condition with the huge seated Buddha at Shwesandaw Pagoda being the definite highlight.
Tomb of Khai Dinh, Vietnam
While Khai Dinh himself was a bit manic his tomb in the northern Vietnamese town of Hue is a beautiful place. The remarkable exterior features a mish-mash of Gothic, baroque, and classical Chinese styles, while the delightful interior is clad with glass and ceramic mosaic work.
Baci Ceremony, Laos
Although not essentially a spiritual experience, sitting in on a Baci ceremony with Lao people can be a rewarding experience. Participants huddle together in a circle and receive group blessings while traditional dancing and much hospitality ensues.
Open-Air Public Cremation, Bali
The act of cremation releases the soul after death, according to Buddhists and Hindus, and public cremations in Indonesia are a bit like Mardi Gras parades, with dancing participants and much pageantry.
Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore
Spiritualists with a slant toward Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism will find Singapore’s ancient Chinese Thian Hock Keng temple divine. The temple offers perfect respite from the busy city goings on right outside its gates.
Jalan Tokong, Malaysia
Multicultural Malacca was infiltrated by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British and was also descended upon by the Chinese contingent. Jalan Tokong features a fine example of these architectures where a Chinese temple, Hindu temple and Malay mosque live side-by-side.
