A home to Eastern religions, Asia is the land of temples! But it’s also home to some of the most stunning and beautiful churches in the world; some even more awe-inspiring that the churches in Europe. If you’re traveling through Asia, you obviously have these questions. Which are the top famous churches in South Asia that you absolutely must visit? Which are the most popular churches in South Eastern Asia? How old are the churches in Asia? Which beautiful Southern Asian churches should I visit? Well, here they are! The list of must-visit churches in Asia in India, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and more in random order.
1. Holy Rosary Parish Church, in Angeles City (Philippines)
By Ruben from Gamin Traveler
The Holy Rosary Parish Church is one of the most visited historical landmarks in the Philippines. The history of the church started with the history of Angeles City. The Holy Rosary Parish Church was constructed from 1877 to 1896 by the “Polo y Servicio”, the constrained and unpaid work of the Filipino local individuals to all men by the Spanish frontier government. It also served as hospital and sanctuary for the U.S. Army. Another part of the church was turned into the execution grounds from 1896-1898 in shooting down Filipino revolutionaries and suspects by the Spanish powers. The government restored the church in early 1940s with the help of American troops after it was hit by an American bombler plane during the World War II. In 1849, it became a parish together with town of Culiat becoming Angeles City.
Today, the Holy Rosary Parish Church stands in Angeles, Pampanga where local devotees and tourists flock to attend church. They also organize feasts in honor of not just Santo Rosario but also Our Lady of Rosary de Naval, which is a local celebration in the Philippines. It’s a must to visit and take in a touch of Philippine history from!
2. Tan Dinh Church, the pastel-pink gothic church in Ho Chi Minh City
By Maire from Temples and Treehouses
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Tan Dinh Church is a pink Disney castle-style gothic church, plonked on a busy street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This dreamy wedding cake of a building is a working Catholic Church and one of the most important in the city. It was built in French colonial times and is painted an Instagram-friendly peony pink and white.
Weirdly, when I visited the impressive Tan Dinh Church there were hardly any tourists around. It isn’t as well known as Ho Chi Minh City’s Central Post Office or Notre Dame Cathedral (two other famous landmarks from the same time period). I have no idea why though — it’s an utterly gorgeous building and to be honest, despite not being the most famous it was my favourite sight in the whole of Ho Chi Minh City!
Tan Dinh Church is located pretty centrally in District 3. You can actually walk there from various other central landmarks — but Ho Chi Minh City tends to be hot and humid with crazy traffic, plus taxis are cheap, so I’d recommend simply hopping into a cab and asking them to take you to the Barbie Church!
3. Church Of St. Augustine In Velha, Old Goa, India
By Aaron from Abby’s Hearth
In the Velha region of Old Goa on Holy Hill (Monte Santo) and just off the banks of the river Mandovi sit the ruins of the tower of St. Augustine’s monastery and those of the once enormous church of Nossa Senhora de Graca (Our Lady of Grace).
Augustinian friars begun construction of this once stupendous structure after their arrival in 1587. Construction of the monastery and the church was completed between 1597 and 1602.
This gave the Nossa Senhora de Graca the reputation of being one of the 3 greatest Augustinian churches of the Iberian world, the other 2 being the Basilica of Escoral in Spain and St. Vincente de Fora in Lisbon.
The tower that remains was one of the four original towers and has a number of myths associated with it. Find out more about these awe-inspiring ruins in my bit about unusual Goa here.
4. Palasari Church in Bali, Indonesia
By Ossama At Awesome Traveler
Due to the ideal location of Bali, it becomes a favorite tourist destination for many of us. One of those places that people like to visit is the Palasari Catholic Church. Situated next the Sanghyang River, the architecture of the church is mixture between Western Europe and Balinese, which gives it a unique style that stand out from the rest.
The history of the church goes back to 1940 where the Catholicism religion start to spread in Bali. A missionary from the Netherlands visited Bali and invited people to join the religion, which lead them to build the old Palasari. The number of worshipers increase that lead them to move to a different place by the Sanghyang River and build the new Church, which calls it Palasari Catholic Church. Ever since, it becomes known that the first Catholic Cathedral, built in the Dutch colonial times.
Many people are fascinated by the architectural design of the church, which makes it an ideal place for photo hunting. Not to forget it’s surrounding, tropical rainforest on the mountains in one side, and astonishing blue river in another side. It is peaceful and quiet, which makes it a good escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy life.
5. Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Churches and Convents of Goa
By Natalia from My Trip Hack
Goa is mainly known for its beaches, exotic food and nightlife, though there are also several heritage sites in the state. One of them is Old Goa or Goa Velha. It used to be a capital of Portuguese India. Nowadays it’s famous for its monuments and churches.
Despite each of the churches in Old Goa is interesting in its own way, one of the most visited sites is Basilica of Bom Jesus. It was built back in 1605, thus you can see the elements of late-Renaissance in its structure. It took almost 11 years to complete the constructions of basilica.
This Church became famous in the Catholic world as it has the tomb of St.Francis Xavier. St.Francis is renowned for his missionary voyages in the East. Despite the intricate exteriors are impacted by monsoons every year, Bom Jesus is the only church in Old Goa not plastered on the outside.
In the 1950s one of the Portuguese conservationists removed the plaster stating the stone will strengthen itself with years. Since then, no one has installed the plaster back despite numerous other restorations in different parts of the complex. Churches and Convents of Goa became UNESCO heritage site in 1986.
6. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica in Kochi, India
By Johann from Escaping Life
One of the first churches to be established in India by the Portuguese. The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica still stands tall to tell a tale or two of the multiple European powers who conquered the fort city of Santa Cruz. Yes, Fort Cochin, the small town in Kerala was once called Santa Cruz, after which the church got named. In its 513-year-old existence, the church has seen the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British who ruled the fort town successively.
Built in 1505, after the then Kochi Maharaja donated the piece of land now called Fort Cochin to build a Portuguese Fort. In 1558, the church was raised to the status of a cathedral. When the Dutch overthrew the Portuguese in 1663, they razed all the Catholic churches to the ground leaving behind the Santa Cruz Cathedral and the St. Francis Church. The Dutch converted the church to store their arms and ammunition. With the arrival of the British, the church was brought down.
The church was rebuilt at a new space and was consecrated in 1905 under the British rule. The church was raised to the status of a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Inspired by Indo-European gothic design, the church now stands with whitewashed walls and tall spires and large paintings and frescoes by an Italian artist by the name of Fra Antonia Moscheni depicting the Passion of the Christ.
Don’t miss this historical church while on a visit to the city of Kochi.
7. Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Panjim, Goa, India
By Ellie & Ravi from Soul Travel Blog
In the heart of Panjim, Goa, lies one of India’s most spectacular churches. Built in 1541, it’s one of Panjim’s most recognised landmarks, with its bright white and blue and elaborate staircases leading up to the entrance. It’s built in the classic Portuguese Baroque style, and played a part in the Portuguese religious expansion in Goa, during the days of Portuguese conquest along coastal India, especially Goa.
The church is home to an ancient bell – thought to be the largest of its kind in India – which was recovered form the Augustinian ruins of another church in Old Goa: Our Church of the Lady of Grace.
The church is open to the public, and overlooks the city’s municipal garden. For extra wow factor, you can visit during early December, when the church is lit up as part of the Festival of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception which is celebrated on the 8th December each year. Read this post for more about exploring Goa.
8. The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Sagada, Philippines
By Adriana from Czech the World
Sagada is a small town in the Mountain Province of the Philippines, Sagada lies on the biggest island of the Philippines – Luzon and is located about 400 km north from Manila. There are several tourist spots in Sagada and the Episcopal Church o St. Mary the Virgin is one of them. It’s quite impressive to see such a big church in a small town. The church was built in 1904 by Americal missionaries led by Rev. John Staunton with the help of local residents, after the big storms that hit and devastated the town. The Reverend’s name and date of birth and passing carved on a marble slab can be found on the post of the gate, only a few steps before the church.
The church has a very spacious interior designed in minimalistic style. There is a daily mass at 6 AM. The most interesting thing is the aerial cemetery and hanging coffins – the entrance to that place „the Echo Valley“ is just a few dozens of meters behind the church. You can get there only with local guides and it is very interesting to hear about the Sagada’s burial rituals.
9. Armenian Church in Chennai, India
By Bhushavali from My Travelogue by Bhushavali
Pic by Paliakara from Wiki CC by SA 3.0
Armenians originally belong to the Armenia (obviously!), present day Turkey, Iran region. Christianity has been a strong hold here since ages and it was one of the earliest country to declare Christianity as the state religion in 301 CE. Over time, the people from there dispersed all over the world and Chennai, India was also one of the places where they settled! When a community of Armenians settled here, obviously they built their own place of worship – the Armenian Church of Chennai, built in 1712!
Completely surrounded by greenery, the church doesn’t even feel like its bang in the centre of a very busy commercial area in Chennai! It has the graves of around 350 Armenians who had made Chennai their home centuries ago! Most of them were rich merchants. The tombstones that depict ruler & scissor would have been textile merchants, the ones that depict stones & balance would have been gem stone merchants & the ones the depict wine glasses & grapes would have been wine merchants etc.
The interiors are elegant and the original wooden structure has been maintained. The original altar image is gone though! The most fascinating feature of the church is its Belfry, in a separate, beautiful, domed building. There are 6 bells cast between 1719 to 1737. Today these bells are rung only once a week.
10. Parish of Nuestra Senora de La Paz, La Paz, Abra, Philippines
By Dave of Silverbackpacker
The Aglipayan Church, also known as “Iglesia Filipina Independente or IFI” in the Philippines, broke away from the Catholic Church in 1902, four years after the revolution which ended Spanish rule of the country.
One of the first Iglesia Filipina Independente Churches was Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) in the town of La Paz. Situated in Poblacion, the church is considered as one of the most beautiful Aglipayan churches in the country.
The Parish became one of the founding members of the newly founded Iglesia Filipina Independiente during the incumbency of Father Benigno de Lara in 1902. Built in the 1880’s from locally made red clay bricks, like most of the Spanish era churches in Abra, with a Bell Tower at the front, the church more resembles an English village church building than a Spanish structure.
There were once three bells but over time two of them have become cracked and damaged. Only one bell now remains. Above the entrance the text “Iglesia Catolica Apostolica Filipina” is carved into the stone.
The oldest record in the church is a Baptismal one from 1889. Nuestra Senora de La Paz Church is now a listed heritage building.
11. Our Lady of Angels Church, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India
By Rose of Where Goes Rose
The sunny, pastel-painted city of Pondicherry is a popular spot for foreign and local tourists travelling South India. When it comes to India’s colonial history, most people will think of British rule. However, the city of Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu was ruled by the French which explains the French street names and abundant churches. To this day, many Pondicherry locals still speak French as well as Tamil, and many of the Pondy restaurants serve French cuisine.
One of the most prominent features of Pondicherry is Our Lady of Angels Church located on Dumas Street. Not only is this one of the oldest churches in Pondicherry, built in 1855 by architect Louis Guerre, but it’s the only one in the area to host mass in three languages, French, Tamil and English.
Built in Greco Roman style, the twin towers of this pretty pink church can be seen from all over Pondicherry. A fun fact about this church is that egg was one of the ingredients (alongside pink paint and limestone) used to paint the outside!
Our Lady of Angels Church can be found in the heart of Pondicherry’s leafy White Town surrounded by cute cafes and green parks. For more details, check out Where Goes Rose’s Pondicherry Travel Guide.
12. Daraga Church in Legazpi City, Philippines
By Roshni from The Wanderlust Within
Daraga Church is an iconic white structure that looms over Legazpi City in the Philippines. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Albay, and is also known as the Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church. Daraga Church is Roman Catholic and was built in 1773 by Franciscan missionaries, and is located next to the most active volcano in the Philippines, Mount Mayon. The unique white facade of Daraga Church is made of volcanic rocks from Mayon’s greatest eruption in 1814.
The architecture of the church is baroque, but many say its a mix of Mexican baroque and Renaissance gothic. The exterior has four columns, each with medallions at its core, decorated with images of the Evangelists. The white volcanic rock facade also features images of Franciscan saints, the coat of arms of the Franciscan Order, and images of the twelve apostles.
In 2007, Daraga Church was declared a National Cultural Treasure, and today visitors flock to the site to take in its unique beauty and unobstructed views of Mayon Volcano beside it.
13. St.Mary’s Cathedral in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
By Josh and Sarah from Veggie Vagabonds
St.Mary’s Cathedral is located in Batticaloa, on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, the country’s former capital. This eye-catching church, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Batticoloa in Puliyanthivu, was originally built in 1801 by paschal Mudaliyar. Following a conflict between local Tamil and Muslim groups in the region, the church underwent some damage so was rebuilt in 1994.
Since then the church has stood out with its bright turquoise exterior and grand archway framing the structure from the street. Amid the commercial city, the church has a notably more historical look nestled amongst the bustling streets. With Botticaloa being on the East coast the locals are largely Hindu or Christian, with some Buddhist and Muslim residents so this Church is one of many religious structures to explore in the city. St.Mary’s Cathedral is open to the public and you can go inside to observe the architecture or join in with the local service.
The whole region is well connected with public transport from buses to trains and with the stunning Sri Lankan coastline a stone’s throw away, it’s somewhere you should add to your bucket list.
14. Marthoma Church in Azhikode, Kerala, India
By Athul & Neethu from Our Backpack Tales
Pic by Sujithvv from Wiki commons CC by SA 3.0
Marthoma Pontifical Church is located in Azhikode, Kodungallur, Kerala. Legend has it that St. Thomas arrived in Kodungallur on November 1st 52.A.D and built the church which is the first of seven. The church is located on the banks of the Periyar river. It is believed that St. Thomas is the first one to have spread the Christian faith on the Eastern coast of India, while St Bartholomew took on the Western coast of India.
The church is now maintained under the Muziris project and is one of the main spots of pilgrimage in Kerala. This ancient church also houses a piece of bone from the right hand of St. Thomas which was brought from Italy.
The church is now a famous tourist spot for tourists visiting Kerala. The church is covered along with other sites under the Muziris project like Palliyam Palace, Jewish Synagogue and Kottapuram Fort. The famous Athirapally falls, Cherai Beach and Azhikode beach are some important tourist places nearby.
If you know of a must-visit South Asian church or South-east Asian cathedral or chapel that is not on this list, email me at abby@abbyshearth.com with a pic of it along with a brief history, and we might just add it in.
Other Posts to Read
- Australian Churches to Visit
- Kaka Baptista Museum
- Life in the East Indian village of Poinsur
- Zanzibar clothes
- Eastern Asian and Central Asian churches to visit
I’m an East Indian foodie and travel blogger from Bombay, India. I love baking, cooking, and making wine at home. But I also love doing stuff around the house and spending time in the Word. You’ll find more info about me here!
Thats a fantastic list. I have visited seven of them.
Look forward to seeing more added.
Hi. Which 7 did you visited?