Top 5 Buddhist tourism destinations of Asia

Asia has many places of interest associated with the Buddha, and with Buddhism. Visitors to the top Buddhist tourism destinations in Asia can see temples, monasteries, retreats and pagodas with distinctive architecture, ancient statues and beautiful gardens. The top 5 Buddhist tourism destinations should give pleasure to anyone fortunate enough to visit.

1. Bodhgaya Nalanda, India
The Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya is one of the most sacred of all Buddhist destinations in Asia. This is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment when meditating beneath a peepul tree (Ficus religiosa or Sacred Fig). In addition to seeing the sacred Bodhi tree, visitors should not miss the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya. This temple is one of the oldest surviving brick buildings in eastern India. The structure was designed to commemorate the great awakening, and to contain a large gold statue of the Buddha. It is now classified as a World Heritage Site.
2. Mount Koya, Kii Peninsula, Japan
Japan has many Buddhist temples, and one of the best Buddhist tourist destinations has to be the the holy mountain known as Koya-san. Koya-san is a place of peace associated with Kukai/Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. 
Some of the many at Koya-san have overnight accommodation for visitors, who are welcome to join morning or evening meditation sessions. Guests do not have to be Buddhists to stay at a temple. Mount Koya can be reached by train and is just two hours from Osaka.
3. Temples of Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok can be considered to be one of the best Buddhist tourism destinations to visit in Asia. There are some magnificent Buddhist temples to be seen in the city, with some of the largest Buddha statues in the world. The famous golden Buddha at Wat Trimitr is 900 years old and made from solid gold.
The biggest and oldest temple in Bangkok is Wat Po. This temple has a huge reclining figure of the Buddha.
Wat Benjamaborpitr is a beautiful building made of white marble. Early morning visitors to the temple can admire the architecture while listening to Buddhist monks chanting in the chapel.
4. Lhama Tibetan Temple, Beijing, China
The largest Buddhist temple in Beijing comes alive during the Chinese New Year celebrations when many Buddhists from all over China arrive to pray for good fortune. For the rest of the year this is a place of peace and tranquility, closely associated with Tibet. Built as a palace for Count Yin Zhen, the original buildings were converted and tuned into a temple in 1723.
The Lhama Temple is sent amongst landscaped gardens, and has wall decorations illustrating the life of the Buddha. There is also a rare sand mandala, preserved under glass, and there is a wealth of prayer wheels, statues and sculptures to see inside.
5.Birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini, Nepal

Located in the South-western part of Nepal, 200 miles south-west of Kathmandu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha has become a place of pilgrimage for many Buddhists. The Maya Devi Temple is dedicated to the mother of Buddha, and contains carved depictions of the birth of Buddha. Maya Devi was passing through Lumbini when she gave birth, after bathing in a sacred pond and walking to a grove of trees. A sacred stone marks the spot where she delivered her child.
It is not necessary to be a Buddhist to benefit from visiting the best Buddhist tourism destinations of Asia. Anyone can find peace, beauty and harmony in these destinations, and have a memorable experience.