10 Ancient Monuments in Southeast Asia You Can’t Afford to Miss

If ancient monuments are your thing, then coming to Southeast Asia is a must. Offering a plethora of (not so) lost cities, and Buddhist and Hindu temples that are almost a thousand years old, there’s no better evidence of the complexity and sophistication of Southeast Asian culture than these architectural marvels. Places such as Angkor Wat have virtually become must-sees, with ensembles like Bagan trailing not very far behind.

There are in fact easily more than a dozen of these sites – some much more spectacular than the rest. Here, I shortlist the ten best, in no particular order. If you liked Angkor, here are some more places to consider!

Mrauk U, Burma

Perhaps the most isolated ancient city in this list, the capital of the old Arakan Kingdom of Mrauk U is quite possibly also the most rewarding to visit. To get here, one must take a domestic flight, followed by a 6 hour or so lazy boat ride. Though this has deterred many people from visiting, those who make it almost unanimously agree that Mrauk U is something special. You’ll only have to take in the spectacular fog-ridden views at dawn to concur.

How to get there: From Yangon, take a domestic flight to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. Afterwards, take a 6 hour boat ride to Mrauk U. Alternatively, you can hire a car to take you (on bumpy roads) from Sittwe to Mrauk U (around 3-4 hours)

Sukhothai, Thailand

Sukhothai is the ancient capital of a kingdom of the same name. Modern historians tend to agree that the establishment of Sukhothai marked the beginning of Thailand as a nation. Today, this huge complex of ancient ruins in the north has become one of the most tranquil among Southeast Asia’s ancient ruins. The temples are in relatively good state of preservation, and host a variety of architectural styles including Khmer and Burmese. Make no mistake about it – this is the preeminent historical site to visit in Thailand.

How to get there: Nearest airport with regular flights is at Phitsanulok, about 1.5 hour or so away from Sukhothai. Alternatively, take a 5 to 6 hour bus ride from Chiang Mai or slightly more if coming from Bangkok.

Bagan, Burma

I could never forget the first time I laid my eyes on Bagan. It was from the window of a turboprop plane as it made its approach on Nyaung U Airport. Beneath me were hundreds of stupas, some markedly bigger than the others. I thought it would be practically impossible to see them all. In three days, I only managed to see a handful but what I saw easily blew me away. By far, this is the most impressive among Southeast Asia’s ancient ruins, in my opinion.

How to get there: From Yangon, a 1 hour or so domestic flight takes you to Nyaung-U airport where the temples of Bagan are scattered all around.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

A quick car ride from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is perhaps the most accessible of Southeast Asia’s (not so) lost cities. Some of the temples here, such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram, are certainly impressive though the fact that Ayuthaya doubly functions as a small modern city may dampen the atmosphere a bit.
How to get there: It’s only an hour’s drive from Bangkok. Most taxis will take you there for a day trip.

Angkor, Cambodia

Angkor – perhaps the first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they hear about ancient Buddhist temples. And for good reason. The center of a once mighty civilization, Angkor was said to be one of the world’s largest cities during its peak. The hundreds of temples here attest to this glorious past.

How to get there: From Siem Reap, the temples of Angkor are a short drive away.

Borobudur, Indonesia

Personally the most “intricate” among Southeast Asia’s sites, Borobudur seemingly sits mysteriously by itself as it is surrounded by the jungles of Central Java. Borobudur may just be one temple but it is humongous. With six square levels and three circular ones, it was originally desined for pilgrims according to Buddhist cosmology. From above, the striking symmetry of the large singular structure resembles a Buddhist mandala or a graphic representation of the universe.

How to get there: Nearest airport is at Yogyakarta, which is about an hour’s drive from the temple.

Gedong Songo, Indonesia

The relatively unknown temple complex of Gedong Songo in Central Java is perhaps one of the most scenic. One would be hard pressed to find a better spot to place these temples – the steep climbs notwithstanding. Foreign tourists rarely come here. Most likely, you’ll have many of the temples to yourself. On a clear day, you’ll be further rewarded with some awesome views.

How to get there: Nearest airport is at Semarang, which is about an hour’s drive from the temple.

Prambanan, Indonesia

Recognizable even from a distance due to its pointed spires, the Hindu temple complex of Prambanan is easily the most impressive Hindu site in the region. An enduring symbol of Indian influence over Indonesia, Prambanan is much older than Angkor Wat but the former’s intricate bas reliefs are certainly not in any way more primitive.

How to get there: Nearest airport is at Yogyakarta, which is about an hour’s drive from the temple.

Phimai, Thailand

Phimai in northeastern Thailand is a Buddhist temple complex heavily influenced by Khmer architecture. Due to its proximity to Angkor Wat, there’s no denying the gaping similarity between the two. This complex is usually off the tourist radar as it’s not close to any airport – Bangkok is a 5 hour car ride away.

How to get there: From Bangkok, Phimai is a 5 hour drive with a stop at Nakhon Ratchasima

Vat Phou, Laos

 

Situated at the foot of Mount Phu Kao, this Khmer temple in the southern part of Laos is yet another site equally known for its scenery as it is for the architecture. Although mostly laying in ruins, it is not difficult to imagine what it must have been like before. Today, it’s the most popular attraction in this part of Laos, though still nowhere near as close as Luangprabang or Vientiane.

How to get there: Nearest domestic airport is at Pakse, which is approximately an hour or so away by car.