Top 5 Temples by Bike

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Discovering a new destination by bike is a liberating experience, often taking you to places inaccessible to vehicles and truly immersing you in the country's culture.

Temples you can Visit by Bike

Temples of Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan temples by bike

Arriving in Bagan by boat is exquisite, gliding along the Irrawaddy River towards a forest topped with thousands of gleaming golden crowns.

The Bagan temple complex is home to over 4,000 temples and pagodas where Buddhism, Hinduism and Nat worship converge amongst the glittering shrines.

We dedicate a whole day to weaving our way on two wheels between these phenomenal structures, visiting both the buildings photographed in National Geographic, such as Ananda Pahto with its bejewelled hti (umbrella) and the smaller hidden gems.

As the sun sheds its dying rays across the golden rooftops we head to Shwe Sandaw Temple for an incomparable 360 degree view across all of Bagan.  

Angkor Wat Temple, Cambodia

Cycling at Angkor Wat

Rising early, take to two wheels before the crowds begin to surge. The various temples are linked by a network of shady avenues perfect for biking, and being on wheels speeds up the process so you can capitalise on the time spent at each historic site.

From the jungle-covered Ta Prohm, with the amazing roots of the Fromagier trees clinging to the ancient stones to the famous Bayon temple topped with the four faces of the king.

The day ends at the incredible Angkor Wat, largest temple complex in Asia, with its huge moat, long causeway and massive towers.

Find out more: Trips to Cambodia

The Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Buddha in Sri Lanka 

Emerging dramatically from the lush plains of Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle’, one cannot miss the entrance to the Dambulla Cave Temple as you ride along the Old King’s Route.

Crowned by a gaudy, gigantic golden Buddha, the largest and best-preserved cave complex on the 'Teardrop Isle' rises to over 1,000 feet above sea level. Leaving the bikes at the base of complex, look beyond the kitsch exterior as you make your way up the stairs and along the gentle slope of Dambulla Rock from where you can access the five cave shrines.

These UNESCO protected cave temples are decorated with intricate rock paintings and carvings and house some 157 Buddhist statues. The complex, a sacred pilgrimage site for more than 22 centuries, is one of the most outstanding examples of religious art anywhere on the island.

Find out more: Sri Lanka trips

Meenakshi Amman Temple, India

Meenakshi Amman Temple, India 

Meenakshi is one of the largest temple complexes in India and certainly one of the highlights of Tamil Nadu. Thousands of huge stone pillars line the hallways, each adorned with different deities, which are said to represent the 3,333,333 gods of the Hindu cosmos.

A constant flow of worshipers, offering pujas, (rituals performed by the temple priests to the various deities) add to the heady atmosphere of incense and camphor smoke, and make this an unforgettable experience of Hindu culture. 

Find out more: Trips to India

Petra Great Temple, Jordan

Petra 

Nobody forgets their first glimpse of Petra. Everyone arrives on foot or by donkey to the main Treasury, passing through the narrow siq (entrance) with its towering rose-coloured walls.

But saddle up for something truly special as we visit parts of Petra by bike, arriving on two wheels outside the temple of Siq Al Baida (Little Petra) – a smaller, lesser-known part of the ancient city where the remains of painted frescoes have decorated these red rocks since the 1st century AD.

Pause for a spot of energy-boosting baklava and admire the incredible architecture before heading out into the desert on two wheels.

Find out more: Jordan trips

Take a look at our temple trips by bike below and plan your adventure.