TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travellers’ Choice® awards for Landmarks in Asia and the world.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the #1 landmark in the world for the second consecutive year. The landmark clinched the number one spot in Asia as well, with India’s Taj Mahal and Thailand’s Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) coming in second and third respectively in the region.
“The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Landmarks showcases some of Asia’s most historical attractions that are highly recommended by TripAdvisor’s global travel community,” said Janice Lee Fang, Director of Communications, Asia Pacific. “From awe-inspiring temples and ancient forts to magnificent architectural structures, Singaporean travellers can use this list if they’re looking for a bit of awe and wonder on their trip.”
TripAdvisor has also identified highly-rated tours and experiences at these award winning landmarks. TripAdvisor has more than 100,000 bookable tours, activities and experiences worldwide to help travellers see and learn more of a place than they would on their own.
Top 10 Landmarks in Asia:
- Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia
At Angkor Wat, travellers witness the remnants of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire that ruled between the 9th and 15th century. Stretching over a 400 square kilometres complex, the temple displays a harmonisation of ancient architecture, intricate carvings and sophisticated structures. The sunset and sunrise view from the temple is regarded as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many.
Discover this historic landmark by going on a private full-day tour of the temple complex – tour prices start from $53 per person.
- Taj Mahal – Agra, India
Commissioned over 300 years ago by Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife, the Taj Mahal is now considered a symbol of India’s rich history. The iconic landmark, covered in white marble with fine Islamic calligraphy, neat floral motifs and gemstone inlaid, is one of the greatest examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences.
Discover this historic landmark and other world heritage listed with a full-day tour to Agra from Delhi – tour prices start from $109 per person.
- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) – Bangkok, Thailand
Famed for its giant reclining Buddha gilded in gold measuring 15 metres tall and 46 metres long, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. The spiritual landmark houses a school of Thai medicine and is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, where it continues to be taught and practiced.
Discover this historic landmark through a private half-day tour of famous temples in Bangkok – tour prices start from $59 per person.
- Mutianyu Great Wall – Beijing, China
Located approximately 70 kilometres northeast of central Beijing, the five-kilometre long Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the best-preserved sections of the landmark. This area of the wall is surrounded by mountain scenery and was used to serve as the northern barrier to defend the capital and imperial tombs. Watch towers are densely placed along Mutianyu – a feature that is rarely found in other sections of the Great Wall.
Discover this historic landmark through a private half-day tour which also includes a cable car or toboggan experience – tour prices start from $137 per person.
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine – Kyoto, Japan
The Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its seemingly unending path of over 5,000 vibrant orange ‘torii’ (arches or gates) that frame the pathways through the forest. Originally dedicated to the god of rice, it now serves as a site for people to seek blessings for prosperity and remains as one of Kyoto’s most famous sights.
Discover this historic landmark and more through a Fushimi Inari and sake brewery tour – tour prices start from $162 per person.
- Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon, Myanmar
Standing tall at 110 meters atop of a hill, the Shwedagon Pagoda is a majestic, gilded stupa encrusted with thousands of diamonds. The pagoda complex consists of hundreds of temples, stupas and statues and forms a prominent feature of Yangon’s skyline. Home to relics from four previous Buddhas, the pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar.
Discover this historic landmark by going on a small group tour exploring Myanmar’s rich culture and traditions – tour prices start from $70 per person.
- Petronas Twin Towers – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The iconic 88-floor Petronas Towers dominate the Kuala Lumpur skyline with its twin skyscrapers and a steel and glass facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art. The towers held the records for the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 and features an upmarket shopping mall, a 50-acre park and a double decker skybridge that connects the two towers.
Discover this historic landmark with a panoramic view of the city from the observation deck – tour prices start from $49 per person. Visitors get to skip the line and avoid queuing when they book online with TripAdvisor.
- Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chin Minh, Vietnam
Dug by hand or simple tools by local fighters during the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi tunnels remain as a reminder of the country’s past. It boasts an extensive network of over 200 kilometres of tunnels which functioned as underground cities that included hospitals, schools, kitchens and meeting quarters.
Discover this historic landmark with a guided tour on how Cu Chi freedom fighters lived and fought in these tunnels during the Vietnam War – tour prices start from $36 per person.
- Amber Fort – Jaipur, India
Situated 11 kilometres from the city of Jaipur, the Amber Fort stands grand on top of a mountain next to Maota Lake. Constructed using red sandstone and white marble, the fort blends Rajput and Hindu style of architecture and a mixture of Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation.
Discover this historic landmark and other top attractions in Jaipur with a private full day tour of the city – tour prices start from $82 per person.
- Harmandir Sahib – Amritsar, India
Visited by over 100,000 people daily for worship, Harmandir Sahib, informally known as Golden Temple, is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. The landmark was made with the intention to provide a place of worship for everybody, regardless of cast, creed or race. A key attraction of the temple is the community kitchen that provides free food to visitors from all walks of life.
Discover this historic landmark with a private tour of Punjab’s top attractions with a traditional lunch included– tour prices start from $62 per person.
Top 10 Landmarks in the World:
- Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Plaza de Espana – Seville, Spain
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City, Italy
- Mezquita Cathedral de Cordoba – Cordoba, Spain
- Taj Mahal – Agra, India
- Duomo di Milano – Milan, Italy
- Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, USA
- Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, USA
- Parliament – Budapest, Hungary
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period. This year’s awards recognised 759 landmarks across 67 countries and eight regions across the globe.
For the complete list of the 2018 Travellers’ Choice Landmarks winners, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, go to: www.tripadvisor.com/TravellersChoice-Landmarks.
Note to Editors
Tour prices are in Singapore dollars.
