Asia and the Pacific

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Angkor Wat was hidden in the jungles of Cambodia for centuries until its re-discovery in 1858 by a French naturalist. By the end of the 19th century, the great Khmer temple complex was nearly as famous a sacred place as the pyramids of Egypt. Angkor Wat, and nearby Angkor Thom are some of the most beautiful temples in the world.

The sacred mountain, Mt. Koya, is south of Osaka on Japan's island of Honshu. It was built 1,000 years ago on an energy vortex by a monk who is believed to be still alive and in deep meditation. An important pilgrimage is made in late autumn to Izumo Taisha, a great Shinto shrine inhabited by elemental beings, or nature spirits, known as Kami.

Thailand is known for its numerous Buddhist temples, some of which are as much as 2,500 years old. The main historical site in Thailand is Ayuthaya, which was the capital of the country for more than 400 years. In Chaing Mai, the Wat Chaing Mai - the first temple built in the city - is said to have had its site chosen by a sacred white elephant. The animal was released and it climbed to the top of a mountain and then rested. Wat Chaing Mai was built at that site. Delta, El Al, Ethiad Airways and Qatar Airways offer the cheapest flights to Thailand from the USA when checked most recently.

Wu Tai Shan is a sacred mountain in northern China with 20 beautiful temple complexes that have been revered by Taoists and Buddhists for thousands of years. Another important sacred place in China is the Kuan Yin temple at Putuo Shan, an island near Shanghai.

In Malaysia, the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur are the scene of an annual spectacular Thaipusam festival, when worshippers demonstrate their devotion by skewering their flesh with large metal spikes and hooks, yet feel no pain. Thaipusam celebrates the birthday of the youngest son of the god Shiva, Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Muruga. Hindus prepare for the festival by cleansing themselves spiritually. For one month they pray frequently, eat only one vegetarian meal per day and abstain from sex. During the festival, some devotees cover their bodies in mud from the nearby river and crawl up the 272 steps to the temple in the cave. Others, entranced, walk on knives or broken glass. It is believed that celebrating Thaipusam will cleanse participants of their sins and redeem misdeeds from the previous year. An estimated 800,000 people -- from faithful followers to curiosity seekers -- are expected to attend the next festival, January 25, 2005.

Fiji is better known as a destination for honeymooning, diving and boating than a pilgrimage site. Nevertheless, there are several interesting monoliths, sacred places and spiritual legends to reward travelers willing to explore off the beaten paths.

Uluru, according to Australian aboriginal tradition, was created during Dreamtime by two boys who were playing in the mud. The giant sandstone monolith, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is more than one mile wide, two miles long and 1,115 feet high. There are superb rock paintings in caves near the base of the rock. 30 miles away is Uluru-Kata Tjuta, a female sacred site where fertility ceremonies were held. The best way to understand the spirit of the land in Australia is to spend some time in the outback with an aboriginal guide.

At least one visitor who made the long journey to meditate among the 600 mysterious Moai stone statues on Easter Island was rewarded with inspirational visions about the direction his life should take.

On the South Pacific island of Tonga is a huge arch made from coral that bears a striking resemblance to a pre-Inca arch discovered at Tiahuanaco, Bolivia.