Our totes have ended up in some wild places over the years, mountain passes, coastal cliffs, back-alley markets, and sunrise summits.
They’ve also made their way through some of the most iconic Buddhist temples on the planet, from jungle-covered stone cities to monasteries carved into cliffs thousands of feet above the valley floor.
These places aren’t just beautiful. They’re massive in scale, centuries old, and built with a level of intention and craftsmanship that’s hard to comprehend today.
So this week, we’re highlighting five Buddhist monasteries that feel like they were built in another dimension.
Let’s go.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia 🇰🇭
The largest religious monument on Earth, rising out of the Cambodian jungle like something engineered by another civilization. Sunrise here, reflected in the moat behind those five towers is worth every 4:30am alarm.
Borobudur, Indonesia 🇮🇩
The largest Buddhist temple in the world, built as a massive stone mandala you physically walk upward. At sunrise, its bell-shaped stupas silhouette against volcanic mountains, pure symmetry, pure calm.
Bagan, Myanmar 🇲🇲
More than 2,000 temples scattered across a wide-open plain. Add morning mist and hot air balloons drifting overhead, and it feels less like Earth and more like a movie set.
Tiger's Nest Monastery, Bhutan 🇧🇹
Clinging to a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor, this monastery looks impossible, and that’s part of the appeal. You earn this one with a steep hike and unforgettable views.
Potala Palace, Tibet 🇹🇭
Towering over Lhasa, this former residence of the Dalai Lama is one of the most recognizable Buddhist landmarks in the world. Monumental in scale, bold in color, and impossible to ignore.
