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Japan -

The Horyu-Ji Buddhist temple in Irakuga is a five-story pagoda built in the 7th century. It's one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

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Vietnam -

Graceful and elegant on the eye, the Tran Quoc Pagoda dates back to the 6th century and is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. It's located on an islet in the city's Ho Tay lake.

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Myanmar -

The astonishing Shwedagon Pagoda is also known as the Golden Pagoda for its gilded patina. The building is in fact a stupa—a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics—and is located in Yangon, formerly Rangoon.

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China -

The Three Pagodas of the Chongsheng Temple rise like needles from an emerald landscape near the old town of Dali. Made of brick and white mud, the pagoda's elegant, balanced, and stately style is unique in Chinese ancient Buddhist architecture.

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Taiwan -

A highlight of any visit to Kaohsiung is to pause at the city's Lotus Lake and gaze upon the quirky Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Though built in 1976, the temple is representative of traditional Kaohsiung culture.

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Thailand -

Visitors to the beautiful Huay Pla Kang Temple in Chiang Rai are regaled by a gleaming nine-tier pagoda guarded by a pair of serpentine dragons. The compound is dominated by a statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.

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Indonesia -

The decorative Avalokitesvara Pagoda stands as part of a Buddhist temple complex in Semarang. Built in 2005 and 45 m (147 ft) in height, this is the tallest pagoda in Indonesia.

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Malaysia -

Located in an especially scenic area of the Genting Highlands, the lofty Chin Swee Caves Temple is pinpointed by an ornamented pagoda that affords visitors breathtaking mountain views.

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England -

Th Great Pagoda at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London was completed in 1762 for Princess Augusta, the founder of the gardens. Upon its inauguration, it offered one of the earliest and finest bird's eye views of the capital—which you can still enjoy today. 

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South Korea -

Bulguksa Temple on the slopes of Mount Toham is renowned for its cherished stone pagodas one of which, Seokgatap, is pictured here, decorated with flowers. The temple complex dates back to the 8th century.

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Denmark -

The Japanese pagoda at the world-famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen was built in 1900. Curiously, it was called the "Chinese Tower" right up until 2009. The pagoda is decorated with 2,800 colorful low energy light bulbs, and positively sparkles after dark.

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USA -

San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden, a visitor attraction that dates back to 1894, includes an impressive strawberry-red pagoda within its verdant grounds. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April.

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Hong Kong -

Hong Kong's Diamond Hill district is embroidered with the delightful Nan Lian Garden, and features the pagoda-like Pavilion of Absolute Perfection, which is accessed by an ornate drawbridge.

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India -

Crowning a hilltop near Chandspa in north India is the Shanti Stupa, otherwise known as a Peace Pagoda, one of several stupas built around the world and designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace.

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Japan -

The iconic Chureito Pagoda in Arakura is one of the most photographed of all Japan's pagodas. Distant Mount Fuji affords a dramatic backdrop, and the landscape is enhanced mid-April with the arrival of the cherry blossom.

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Vietnam -

Thien Mu Pagoda is located on the banks of the Perfume River in Hue. The iconic seven-story structure is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city, and is also known as the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady.

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Myanmar -

The dazzling pure white Hsinbyume Pagoda, or stupa, near Mandalay is modeled on the physical description of the Buddhist sacred mountain, Mount Meru.

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Japan -

Kyoto's To-ji Bhuddist temple complex includes a five-storied pagoda, which dates back to 1643. Standing at 54.8 m (180 ft), it's the tallest wooden tower in Japan.

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China -

The Sun and Moon twin pagodas at Shanhu Lake in downtown Guilin are especially beautiful when illuminated at night. The Sun Pagoda (left) is constructed from copper; the Moon Pagoda from marble.

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Japan -

The Nachi waterfalls add a pleasing perspective to Seiganto-ji (Temple of Crossing the Blue Shore), the pagoda of which stands near Nachikatsuura.

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Myanmar -

A spectacular Buddhist stupa located in Nyaung-U, the Shwezigon Pagoda was completed in 1102 and is wrapped entirely in gold leaf.

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China -

Scattered in and around the Chinese city of Chongqing are several towers, pavilions, and pagodas, including the Hong'en Taoist temple (pictured) that while not strictly a pagoda still dazzles with its flared, multi-tiered design and ornate decoration.

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Japan -

Hidden away on the slopes of Mount Haguro under a canopy of 600-year-old coniferous sugi trees is the extraordinary five-story Goju-to Pagoda. It appears as if carved from the very forest itself.

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China -

Dating back to the mid-7th century, the oddly named Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is located in southern Xi'an. It stands at a height of 64 m (210 ft) tall and from the top offers fine views over the city.

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Taiwan -

Standing in glorious seclusion overlooking Yuchi Township and the sparkling Sun Moon Lake is the Ci En Pagoda. The octagonal building, constructed to reflect a traditional Chinese architectural style, sits on top of Mount Shabalan, an elevation of 954 m (3,130 ft).

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China -

A pavilion rather than a true pagoda, the Shibaozhai temple complex leans against a hill along the banks of the Yangtze River in Zhong County. Known as the Red Pavilion, the nine-story structure rears up over 200 m (660 ft) to reach beyond the clifftop.

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Vietnam -

Set on Mount Ta Cu, the Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda is just one reason to visit this remote temple. Another reason is to admire the enormous 49-m (160-ft) reclining Buddha statue, the longest of its kind in the country.

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Malaysia -

Exploration of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, should include a visit to the wonderfully sounding Che Sui Khor Moral Uplifting Society. Here, an imposing 11-story pagoda nicknamed Liu He, which means "peace, prosperity, and harmony," is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

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China -

The city of Chengdu is forever associated with giant pandas, but it's also a destination of considerable architectural merit. The modern Jiutian Tower, built in the early 1950s, is designed to reflect the building style of a traditional pagoda.

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Japan -

Tokyo's ancient Senso-Ji Buddhist temple is the city's oldest, and one of its most significant. Its location is easily identified from a distance by a stately five-story pagoda, itself dwarfed by the fabulous 634-m (2,080-ft) Tokyo Skytree in the distance.

See also: Stunning Hindu temples you need to see to believe

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