Top 15 'Root-Reclaimed' Forgotten Temples to visit in Asia for Photographers and Explorers - Goh Ling Yong
There's a unique magic that happens when human ambition meets the patient, relentless power of nature. Nowhere is this more captivating than in the 'root-reclaimed' temples of Asia. These are not sterile, perfectly preserved monuments; they are living, breathing testaments to history, where colossal tree roots snake over ancient stones and jungle canopies form new cathedral ceilings. For centuries, these sites were lost to the world, swallowed by the wilderness, only to be rediscovered with stories etched into every moss-covered wall.
These forgotten wonders are more than just ruins; they are a dreamscape for photographers and a paradise for explorers. They challenge you to look beyond the obvious and to capture the beautiful, chaotic dance between creation and decay. The interplay of light and shadow, the texture of bark against carved sandstone, and the sheer scale of nature’s reclamation offer endless opportunities for breathtaking shots and unforgettable adventures. This isn't your typical temple tour; it's a journey into the heart of lost empires.
So, pack your camera, lace up your sturdiest boots, and get ready to channel your inner Indiana Jones. We’ve curated a list of the top 15 root-reclaimed temples across Asia that will leave you in awe. From the world-famous to the wonderfully obscure, each one offers a unique story and a powerful photographic journey.
1. Ta Prohm, Cambodia
The Unforgettable Movie Star
Let's start with the icon, the temple that made "root-reclaimed" a global phenomenon. Famously featured in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Ta Prohm is the quintessential jungle temple. Giant silk-cotton and strangler fig trees have spent centuries wrestling with the 12th-century monastery, their powerful roots cascading over galleries and doorways in a stunning display of nature's artistry. The atmosphere here is thick with history and wonder, making it impossible not to feel like an early explorer stumbling upon a lost city.
While it's one of the most popular temples in the Angkor complex, you can still find moments of solitude. The sheer size of the complex means that with a little patience, the crowds ebb and flow, revealing quiet courtyards and hidden carvings. The Archaeological Survey of India has done a remarkable job of conserving the site, striking a delicate balance between safety and maintaining its wild, untamed spirit.
- Photography Tip: Arrive right at opening time (7:30 AM) to catch the soft morning light filtering through the jungle canopy. This ethereal light creates incredible depth and mood, highlighting the textures of the stone and roots. Like my friend, the renowned photographer Goh Ling Yong, always says, the best shot is often found where others aren't looking—so venture into the less-trodden side corridors.
2. Beng Mealea, Cambodia
The Untamed Adventurer's Dream
If Ta Prohm is the polished movie star, Beng Mealea is its wild, rebellious sibling. Located about 40 km east of the main Angkor group, this sprawling temple complex has been left largely unrestored. Here, the jungle’s victory is almost total. Heaps of sandstone blocks, once proud galleries and libraries, lie in chaotic piles, completely engulfed by vegetation. Navigating the site feels like a true expedition, with wooden walkways built over the most treacherous piles of rubble.
Visiting Beng Mealea is less about ticking off sights and more about soaking in the overwhelming sense of discovery. You are free to clamber over mossy stones and duck under massive roots (within designated safe areas, of course). It’s a photographer’s playground, offering raw, dramatic scenes that feel a world away from the more managed sites of Angkor Thom.
- Explorer Tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. The terrain is uneven, and you'll be doing a fair bit of climbing and careful walking. Allocate at least two to three hours to properly explore its hidden corners.
3. Preah Khan, Cambodia
The Labyrinth of Roots and Corridors
Often overshadowed by its famous neighbours, Preah Khan is a vast and complex temple that offers a similar root-reclaimed aesthetic but with fewer crowds. Built by the prolific King Jayavarman VII, it was once a Buddhist university and city, housing thousands. Its layout is a flat, sprawling labyrinth of galleries, courtyards, and passageways, creating a fantastic sense of unfolding discovery as you explore.
Like Ta Prohm, Preah Khan features several spectacular trees growing out of its ruins, including a famous one that seems to pour over the entrance of a gate like liquid stone. The real joy here is getting lost in its long, atmospheric corridors, where shafts of light pierce the gloom and highlight ancient carvings. Don't miss the unique two-story pillared structure, a design not seen elsewhere in Angkor.
- Photography Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the long corridors and the way the tree roots frame the doorways. The low light inside many of the galleries is perfect for practicing your long-exposure or high-ISO shooting skills.
4. Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand
The Serene Face in the Roots
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, once the flourishing capital of Siam, is now a sprawling historical park filled with crumbling prangs (reliquary towers) and monasteries. While the entire park is a photographer's delight, the most iconic image of nature's embrace is found at Wat Mahathat: the famous sandstone Buddha head gently cradled in the entwined roots of a Bodhi tree.
The story goes that when the Burmese army sacked the city in 1767, they decapitated most of the Buddha statues. This particular head likely fell to the ground and was slowly lifted and enveloped by the growing tree over centuries. It’s a powerful symbol of peace and resilience amidst destruction, and the serene expression on the Buddha's face is profoundly moving.
- Explorer Tip: When photographing the Buddha head, remember to be respectful. It is a revered religious icon. You should kneel or sit to ensure your head is lower than the Buddha's, a common practice in Thai culture.
5. My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam
The Cham Kingdom's Forested Valley
Nestled in a lush, jungle-filled valley, the My Son Sanctuary is a testament to the once-mighty Champa Kingdom. This collection of Hindu temples, built between the 4th and 14th centuries, is Vietnam's answer to Angkor. The temples are constructed from a unique red brick, and many are adorned with intricate sandstone carvings of Hindu deities.
Tragically, the sanctuary was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, and many of the towers were destroyed. But today, nature is healing those wounds. The remaining structures are being slowly reclaimed by the forest, with plants sprouting from cracks in the brickwork and the surrounding jungle creating a serene, almost mournful, atmosphere. It’s a poignant site that speaks of both ancient grandeur and modern conflict.
- Photography Tip: The red bricks of the temples glow beautifully during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. The contrast between the warm tones of the brick and the vibrant green of the jungle makes for stunning photographs.
6. Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia
The Pre-Angkorian Forest City
Before Angkor was a glimmer in a king's eye, the Chenla Empire flourished at its capital, Ishanapura, now known as Sambor Prei Kuk. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a magical collection of over 100 temples, most built in the 7th century and scattered throughout a serene forest. These octagonal brick towers are some of the oldest structures in the country.
The experience here is profoundly different from Angkor. It’s quieter, more spread out, and feels far more integrated with the forest. Massive trees have wrapped their roots around the ancient brickwork, creating scenes of sublime beauty. You can rent a bicycle and leisurely pedal between temple groups, often having entire ruins to yourself. It’s a peaceful, meditative journey back in time.
- Explorer Tip: Hire a local guide at the entrance. They can lead you to the most impressive temples (like Prasat Tao, the "Lion Temple") and share the fascinating history of the Chenla period that you might otherwise miss.
7. Wat Phou, Laos
The Khmer Outpost on the Sacred Mountain
Long before the founding of Laos, the Khmer empire stretched its influence far and wide. Wat Phou (or Vat Phou) is a stunning remnant of this era, a sprawling Hindu temple complex dramatically situated on the slopes of Phu Kao, a mountain considered sacred for its phallic-shaped peak. The ruins date from the 11th to 13th centuries and are aligned along a 1.4-kilometer axis.
The journey through the complex is a gradual ascent past two large barays (reservoirs), up a long causeway flanked by frangipani trees, and finally up a steep stone staircase to the main sanctuary. Along the way, you’ll find tumbledown pavilions and galleries being slowly consumed by the surrounding greenery. The real prize is the view from the top terrace, looking back down the causeway over the Mekong floodplains.
- Photography Tip: The best light is in the late afternoon. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the entire complex and creates long, dramatic shadows from the stone pillars and trees.
8. Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
The Ancient Capital of the Island Kings
Sri Lanka's second great ancient capital, Polonnaruwa, is a treasure trove of well-preserved ruins. What makes it special for this list is the way its magnificent stupas, temples, and palaces are integrated into a park-like, semi-wild landscape. Huge, ancient trees stand guard over bathing pools and council chambers, their roots sometimes breaking through the old flagstones.
The star of Polonnaruwa is the Gal Vihara, a group of four colossal Buddha figures carved from a single granite rock face. But for the "reclaimed" feel, seek out the smaller, less-visited ruins on the fringes of the main complex. Here you can find crumbling image houses and monasteries where nature is more visibly at work, creating a beautiful sense of aged grandeur.
- Explorer Tip: The site is vast, so renting a bicycle is the best way to explore. It allows you to move at your own pace and easily venture off the main path to discover hidden gems.
9. Hampi, India
The Boulder-Strewn Kingdom
The landscape of Hampi is almost otherworldly. The ruins of the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire are scattered amidst a surreal terrain of giant, sun-baked granite boulders that look as though they were dropped by giants. Here, nature and ruin are one and the same; the temples seem to grow organically out of the rocky earth.
While you won't find the same jungle-strangling roots as in Cambodia, the "reclaimed" feeling comes from the sheer dominance of the natural landscape. Ancient temple pillars stand beneath precariously balanced boulders, and winding paths lead you through a maze of stone and scrub. The Vitthala Temple with its stone chariot and the Virupaksha Temple are must-sees, but the real magic is in exploring the countless smaller shrines and structures strewn across the landscape.
- Photography Tip: Climb Matanga Hill for sunrise. The view from the top is one of the most spectacular in all of India, as the rising sun illuminates the entire valley of ruins and boulders in a soft, golden light.
10. Mrauk U, Myanmar
The Lost City in the Mist
For the truly intrepid explorer, Mrauk U is a destination unlike any other. This was once the capital of a powerful Arakanese kingdom, and its hundreds of temples are scattered across rolling green hills and small villages. What makes it so atmospheric is the morning mist that often blankets the valley, giving the dark, bell-shaped stupas an eerie, mystical appearance as they poke through the clouds.
The temples of Mrauk U are a mix of fort-like stone structures (like the Shittaung Temple with its 80,000 Buddha images) and smaller pagodas that are now part of the local landscape, with trees growing from their tops and farmers' fields right at their bases. It's a living archaeological site where the past is not just preserved but is an active part of daily life.
- Explorer Tip: Getting to Mrauk U is an adventure in itself, typically involving a flight to Sittwe followed by a multi-hour boat ride up the Kaladan River. Plan for the journey to be part of the experience.
11. Candi Sukuh, Indonesia
Java's Controversial Pyramid Temple
Perched on the misty slopes of Mount Lawu in Central Java, Candi Sukuh is one of Indonesia's most enigmatic and fascinating temples. Built in the 15th century, its design is completely different from other Javanese temples, featuring a flat-topped pyramid that bears a striking resemblance to a Mayan monument.
The temple is famous for its explicit fertility carvings, which have earned it a controversial reputation. The entire site has a raw, primal energy, enhanced by the cool mountain air and the lush vegetation that constantly threatens to encroach upon its stone terraces and mysterious statues. It feels less like a grand royal temple and more like a site for ancient, earthy rituals.
- Photography Tip: The misty mountain setting can be a huge asset. Use the fog to create a sense of mystery and isolation in your photos, focusing on the strange shapes of the statues and the main pyramid emerging from the haze.
12. Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia
The Remote and Colossal Fortress Temple
If you crave an Angkor-like experience without the crowds, Banteay Chhmar is your holy grail. This massive, 12th-century temple complex in remote northwestern Cambodia is a stunning, sprawling ruin that sees only a handful of visitors each day. The sense of discovery here is palpable. I remember a conversation with Goh Ling Yong about truly remote locations, and Banteay Chhmar was at the top of his list for its sheer scale and raw, untouched feel.
The outer gallery walls feature some of the most intricate and dramatic bas-reliefs in the Khmer empire, including a spectacular multi-headed Avalokiteshvara. Many sections of the temple have completely collapsed, and silk-cotton trees are everywhere, their roots prizing apart the massive stone blocks. It’s a photographer's and explorer’s paradise, rewarding the effort it takes to get here with an unparalleled sense of adventure.
- Explorer Tip: Stay overnight in the Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism (CBT) project. You can sleep in a traditional wooden house, eat delicious home-cooked Khmer food, and support the local community that helps protect this incredible site.
13. Kokedera (Saiho-ji), Japan
The Meditative Moss Garden
"Reclaimed" doesn't always have to mean giant roots. In Kyoto, Japan, Kokedera (the "Moss Temple") offers a different, more delicate vision of nature's takeover. The temple's famous garden is said to contain over 120 different varieties of moss, which form a velvety green carpet beneath a canopy of maple and bamboo trees.
The effect is utterly enchanting and deeply serene. The moss blankets everything—the ground, the rocks, the bases of the trees—creating a soft, dreamlike landscape that feels ancient and alive. Visiting Kokedera is a meditative experience, a chance to appreciate a more subtle, patient form of nature's reclamation.
- Explorer Tip: A visit to Kokedera requires a reservation made well in advance via mail (a uniquely traditional process). Before you can enter the garden, you must participate in a short session of sutra chanting and copying, which beautifully sets the contemplative mood for your walk.
14. Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple, Malaysia
The Temple Within the Earth
Located in Ipoh, a city famous for its limestone karst hills, Kek Lok Tong offers a unique twist: it's a temple complex built inside a massive cave that has been reclaimed from a former iron mine. As you step inside, you enter a cavernous chamber filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and various Buddhist and Taoist statues that seem to emerge naturally from the rock.
The "reclaimed" magic happens when you walk all the way through the cave and emerge on the other side into a hidden valley. Here, a beautifully landscaped garden is completely enclosed by the towering, jungle-clad limestone cliffs. It feels like a secret world, a tranquil oasis where man-made devotion and natural grandeur exist in perfect harmony.
- Photography Tip: The transition from the dark cave to the bright, hidden garden is a fantastic photographic moment. Play with the exposure to capture the cave's mouth framing the lush greenery beyond.
15. Vat Phou Asa, Laos
The Enigmatic Stone Stacks of the South
For a final, truly off-the-beaten-path entry, we head to southern Laos. Vat Phou Asa is not a temple in the traditional sense. Known as the "Temple of the Saddle-Horse Rock," it’s a mysterious collection of crude, tower-like structures made from flat rocks stacked without any mortar. No one knows for sure who built them or why, with theories ranging from an ancient pre-Khmer civilization to a 19th-century chieftain.
Set atop a rocky plateau with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, the site has an eerie, powerful atmosphere. The stone pillars are slowly being weathered by the elements and colonized by lichen and small plants. It’s a place that sparks the imagination, a puzzle left behind in the middle of the wild, and a true test for any explorer looking for Asia's deepest secrets.
- Explorer Tip: The site can be reached by a moderately challenging hike. Hiring a local guide from a nearby village is highly recommended, as the trail is not always well-marked.
Your Adventure Awaits
These fifteen temples are more than just destinations; they are portals to the past. They remind us that history is not a static thing locked away in a museum. It's a dynamic, ongoing story, and in these forgotten corners of Asia, nature has become its most beautiful and powerful co-author.
Whether you're aiming to capture that one perfect, award-winning shot or simply want to feel the thrill of discovery, these root-reclaimed wonders offer an experience that will stay with you long after you've returned home. They challenge us, inspire us, and connect us to the timeless cycle of growth, decay, and rebirth.
Now, it's your turn. What are your favorite root-reclaimed temples? Did we miss any epic spots that deserve a place on this list? Share your adventures, photos, and tips in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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