They say that the world we live in is like a book, and those who don’t venture to step out of their comfort zones and travel, have only read one page.
I’ve always heard this quote but believe me, I’ve never taken the time to understand its true meaning but today I did.
The world is certainly a collection of endless true stories. Whether they are terrifying, strange, or just beautiful, they are all worth exploring!
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#10 – Dongyue Temple In China
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Dongyue Temple is built in 1319 located in Chaowai area, Chaoyang District. This ancient temple that has stood for almost 700 years is considered to be one of the creepiest and also one of the largest temples of Taoism in northern China.
It is the shrine of the God of Mount Tai, which is known to be among the five greatest Mountains in China.
Dongye Temple’s long history demonstrates its value, especially that it is home for the Beijing Folklore Museum that host a number of traditional ceremonies and cultural events all year round in which you can choose to walk the blessing road and even participate in the events.
This shrine is undoubtedly a perfect example of magnificence and grandeur and a must for everyone wishing to gain further insight and have an interesting look at China’s history and culture.
This sensational Chinese temple covers an area of 11.7 acres and has two large pavilions that were built in the memory of the two Qing Dynasty emperors. And walks tourists and visitors through 76 departments of the afterlife with all the information needed for each and every department in the English language.
Some of the most popular departments are the department of sympathy, pity, and that of accumulating wealth. In addition to another department in which 15 types of violent Death are demonstrated in clay statutes.
Some Chinese visitors and even tourists would give a donation believing that this will bring luck, prosperity to their lives and may even help them in a specific aspect of their lives depending on which department they donate to.
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#9 – Goa Lawah Temple in Indonesia
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Goa Lawah temple is considered to be one of the most important religious sites in Bali. The temple lives up to its name as it is inhabited by hordes of bats. Oh, yes that chirping you hear is the sound of the temple’s fellow residents.
The temple was built in the 11th century Pesinggahan village by Mpu Kuturan. The latter is an early priest who laid the foundations of Hinduism on the Island. This landmark is a very big complex where travelers, mostly the locals, stop over to give offerings and recite some short prayers before continuing with their journey.
These offerings are most of the time fruits. So, now you can definitely understand why thousands of nectar bats gather around the mouth of the cave. It is very interesting to know that bats have played a great role in the lives of the priests who lived in the temple. It is said that the chirping sound of bats helped the priests increase their focus during meditation.
If you find it entertaining to hear about the legends, then, you would want to know that Goa Lawah temple was used to be the secret hidden spot where a prince hid to escape from his enemies. It is also said that the prince followed through until he reached the Mount Agung’s Besakih Temple.The locals at the temple community also say that this temple leads to other locations.
Still, you want to hear more? Well, another interesting rumor is that the Hindu snake Vasuki is also a resident. It is said that the serpent is guarding the healing waters that are deep within the cave with Shiva, the third god in the Hindu triumvirate and the destroyer of evil. The tales go that Vasuki only comes out when it’s hungry to feed on the bats.
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#8 – Wat Phumin Thailand
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This fascinating Buddhist temple is located in Nan, Thailand and built in an unusual cruciform design. It is celebrated for its unique design, beautiful style, and above all its exquisite murals which date back to the 19th century.
The temple is designed with very beautifully carved doors and has four entrances with four Sukhothai-style sitting Buddhas facing in each direction. This is the only temple that possesses two-story library for religious texts.
Let’s not forget to mention the interesting little dome building where you can find a series of life-size dioramas that demonstrate the future of those who stray from the Buddhist path.
Besides the heavenly part of the temple is a hell dome, in which a variation of the Buddhist Hell Garden in a small, dome-shaped structure with a tableau containing some early scriptures.
The later are demonstrating the torments of a hell realm where souls will endure real sufferings through rebirth from being cut to piece to eaten alive. Quiet spooky!
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#7 – Huashan Teahouse China
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The Huashan Teahouse is a Buddhist and Daoist temple nestled very high at the top of the southern-most peak of China’s holey Mount Hua.It has one of the most terrifying hiking paths in the world which only a few people dare to walk on.
The bright side of the story, the brave ones are refreshed with a damn fine cup of China’s best tea. What do you think, is it worth visiting?
This holy sacred Mountain consists of five separate peaks on the top of which are scattered a series of temples and shrines thanks to the religious and spiritual significance that has been ascribed to the mountain for many centuries.
Generally speaking, Mountains have an important and a symbolic place in the religious beliefs of Taoist. Mountains are, therefore, considered as a symbol of wealth which Taoist measure based on how many species of plants and animals are living in that area.
So, mountains are believed to be those sacred holy landmarks that the gods have blessed with their magic and miracles. To reach the temple, one should first take some steep stairs known as ‘’ the heavenly stairs’’. No worries this won’t stimulate your adrenaline rush!
But when these stairs turn to broken boards or scrap wood nailed into the mountainside and the railings totally disappear and you find yourself with a chain to hold onto, only then you will envy those who are still walking in the ground.
Even worse, you might even reach some points where the planks fall away leaving you with nothing but some pegs to stand on while you are hundreds of feet off the ground.
Despite the dangerous path, visitors continue to come to this place in greater numbers each year starving the serenity of the place and a cup of the hard-earned tea.
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#6 – Zenkoji Temple Japan
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Zenkoji temple is an ancient and one of the most magnificent temples in Japan. Back to the sixth century, Buddhism was still a new and unaccepted religion, therefore, it was practiced secretly in a temple called ‘’Hibutsu’’ which can be translated into English as ‘’the Hidden Buddha’’.
In the latter temple, a statue, which was carved in India and brought secretly to Japan, was secretly installed in‘‘Hibutsu’’ temple.
In the 13th century, the statue was originally brought out of its place behind the altar only for special occasions and ceremonies but when some damages have occurred it was necessary to create a replica which is put on display every seven years.
The real and original statue is hidden and was last examined in 1720 when some rumors started circulating that the box is empty. Other rumors claim that when you touch the statue, it feels warm like a living thing. It is said that there is a pitch-black tunnel right under the altar. This tunnel symbolizes the journey that all souls go through in death and rebirth.
But before you ever decide to walk this terrifying experience, make sure to take off your shoes first. Hope you are lucky and blessed enough to find the key to paradise in such a dark tunnel!
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#5 – The Snake Pagoda in Myanmar
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There are many temples and pagodas in Myanmar, but its weirdest yet most special one is Yadana Labamuni Hsu-Taungpye Paya, which is widely known as the Snake Pagoda. The establishing date of this temple is not really clear.
So, it is probably built as history claims in the 11th or in the 15th century. It is said that in the 1970s three pythons showed up in the temple after they have made their way from the surrounding forest, and draped themselves around the image of Buddha.
The monks had no other choice but to leave them, I mean who could argue with a python snake? Of course, no one, especially that one of these snakes is huge and extremely large and about five meters long.
This particular python is believed to be the reincarnation of one of the temple’s abbots. The snakes keep attracting tourists from all over the world. They are completely harmless, well-fed, and well-looked after. Brave enough?
You can take a selfie while cuddling the snake. The temple also gives you the opportunity to assist the daily ceremonies in which the python snakes are washed and fed.
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#4 – Mount Osore Japan
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Whether you call it Mount Osore or Mount Osorezan, you cannot be mistaken. In both cases, you are speaking about Japan’s most sacred and holey sites. It is also considered as an entrance to hell as it nestles on a volcanic zone.
Everything around this Buddhist temple, including its mysterious and dreadful landscape, the sulfur that taints the air, the pockmarked ground that blows
hot-spring waters, all remind you that death is very close. You can say that’s its a depiction of the afterlife.
The temple is surrounded by a river and eight mountains. The rocks along the riverside are believed to be put there by the dead spirits of children and babies who hope to build a cairn in order for their soul to be able to move on and find the light of the other world.
There also statues all around the place which stands for Jizo who is the guarding spirit that protect the dead young souls and their collected rocks from all what is evil.
So, this temple and the surrounding landmark are filled with gifts that parent offer to the spirits of their dead loved ones.Usually, parents would bring pebbles or rocks to make the spirits of their lost babies struggle less while trying to build a bridge through which they can move on.
That’s in addition to other gifts such as chocolate, candy, and toys. Parents did not forget Jizo, they are very thankful and appreciate what he does to protect the souls of their little ones.
Therefore, they never forget to bring him gifts as well. In most of the times, gifts offered to Jizo are shoes that he can wear while chasing the evil away from children.
According to the beliefs, the little bridge of Mount Osore crosses to the afterlife. So, if you lived a good life filled with good deeds, you will easily cross it but if your whole life was all about evil, you won’t even see it. Only the good ones will!
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#3 – Tanah Lot Indonesia
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Tanah Lot is home to the ancient Hindu shrine located in Indonesia. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful and popular tourist’s attractions.
Before you ever decided to take a trip there, you need to know that Tanah is teeming with snakes and sea snakes, which are said to be incredibly deadly.
Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
In the mood to hear some interesting legends? Well, it said that this place was first inhabited by Danghyang Nirartha, a Hindu wanderer who has built the sea temple on the rocky outcropping of the Balinese coast.
So, when the local king heard the story, he felt incredibly jealous and decided to send the wanderer out of the island. The man responded to the King’s orders and left the temple and asked the sea snakes for a favor, which is to protect the temple while he is away.
So, yeah that’s only to tell you that the snakes aren’t going anywhere they will be there to welcome you when you arrive! Sadly, the temple was susceptible to erosion, therefore, some measures were taken in the 1980s to help ensure that the temple won’t eventually fall into the water.
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#2 – Preah Vihear Cambodia
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This temple was built in the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian plain and more exactly near the border with Thailand. The beautiful and uniquely designed Preah Vihear is a well-preserved Khmer architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What makes this temple very terrifying is the fact that both nations, namely Cambodia and Thailand think that it belongs to them. Therefore, once you are there, you will hear much of gunfire sound around the temple.
In 2011 many people were wounded during attacks between the two nations.This whole drama started overnight in 2008 when both nations heard that the UNESCO designation had the potential to bring in a decent amount of tourists.
After many attempts to end the problem, the Hague has given the temple to Cambodia In 2013.
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#1 – Awashima Jinja Japan
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In Japanese culture, dolls are not just toys. They are very symbolic and play a significant role in rituals and ceremonies for purification and prayer.They are nearly sacred and most treasured gift you can ever give to a newborn child and even to diplomatic ambassadors.
This temple is more designated for women who come to make prayers asking for a good health and fertility.The women also go there and take all the dolls that their daughters are no longer using because of the belief that the doll which is not well looked-after can haunt the family.
It is, therefore, not surprising to see the temple teeming with thousands upon thousands of dolls and figurines, especially those that are no longer wanted and cherished. Just think about how scary this could be!
The shrine organizes each and every year a festival in which dolls are arranged into a pile in boats and launched to swim in the nearby ocean until they sink believing that by sinking, they will take with them all the misfortune and bad lack deep in the ocean.
While these dolls are thrown into the ocean, many other dolls are offered in the temple with the hope of being lucky to conceive a child or have a new baby
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