World's Best Cultural Travel Destinations 2025

Time brings history, and history brings culture. For culture lovers, a well-prepared tour to immerse in the destination must be one of the most precious memories in life. Throughout the world, different regions have nurtured colorful civilizations: the opulent European palaces studded with shiny decorations; the atmospheric Chinese palaces and ramparts; the serene and peaceful Japanese shrines that blend with nature; and the mysterious Khmer smile from thousands of years ago. Created by previous generations and surviving the ages, most cultural tour destinations are incredibly fascinating. The following will introduce the best destinations to start your cultural tour.

Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the hottest cultural travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Under the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism, as well as various changes in modern times, it has formed its own unique history and arts.

Located in the capital, Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an ancient palace built in the 11th century. It presents the unique architectural art of Vietnam, which was formed under the multiple influences of Asian countries. The great golden walls have been mottled over the years, and the red eaves of the palace stand out vividly from all around. A great number of stone pillars, sculptures, lotus ponds, as well as a good residual drainage system, reveal its former enormous scale. Learning the history of Vietnam and walking through the remnants will give you a glimpse of Vietnam's past glory.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest port city lying on the banks of the Mekong River, whose name is in memory of Vietnam's founding father. The Central Post Office, a landmark built in the 19th century, is an elegant building in a French style. The yellow exterior wall is inlaid with dark green stripes. Internally, you can see a portrait of Ho Chi Minh and ancient maps hanging on the wall. Also, you can buy exquisite stamps and beautiful souvenirs. Send a letter from here to yourself and receive it after returning home; it sounds very interesting.

Ho Chi Minh City at Night, Vietnam

Cambodia

Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia and is an ancient and mysterious cultural tour destination. The history of Cambodia can be traced back to the 1st century AD.

Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious architectural complex in the world, is the biggest treasure in Cambodia. Hidden in the dense forest, all temples and statues are built of stone. The outer is a Khmer-style cloister, and inside are hundreds of pagodas and statues, including Hindu and Buddhist ones. Those mottled stones, half-covered by knotty roots and lichens, are carved with vivid smiling Buddha statues from four sides, known as the "Khmer smile". Go through the stone towers and touch the remains; the glorious Khmer dynasty of a thousand years ago seems to rise again before your eyes.

You can enjoy the beauty of Angkor Wat from different perspectives. Take a helicopter and look down on Angkor Wat: the magnificent complex emerges from the dense jungle. It's a huge square structure whose outside are several facades, and in the center are towering stone pagodas and temples. Such a magnificent structure has stood through years of rain and storms. In front of Angkor Wat, there is a clear lake surrounded by greenery. Take a boat in the peaceful lake to enjoy the beauty of Angkor Wat. It stands quietly, and the great facade stretches into the dense jungle on either side. Enter the temple and take a close look at the ancient relics: Rows of vivid sculptures are carved on the stone temples, most of which are the gods from Hinduism. Near the canal, there are statues of people holding a large snake, which signifies people's desire at that time for offspring.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Thailand

Thailand, another hot destination in Southeast Asia, is a wonderful destination with unique cultural charms. Buddhism has been spread and developed for a long history, and here are the remaining grand palaces and temples.

The Grand Palace, located in Bangkok, has been the residence of the Thai royals for thousands of years. Moreover, it's a treasure that combines painting and carving. Entering the gate, you will be surrounded by magnificent palaces of all sizes, as if you'll get lost in them the next moment. Each white palace is decorated with colorful glazed tiles and geometric patterns. A giant statue stands firmly beside the palace, wearing delicate scales that fully utilize the aesthetics of color. The palace, gorgeous and large, exudes a sacred radiance under sunlight.

Among the ancient Buddhist temples in Thailand, the most famous is the Crouching Buddha Temple, founded in the 17th century. As the name suggests, it's known for the huge statue of a reclining Buddha. This huge golden Buddha, 46 meters long and 15 meters high, lies in a leisurely posture with a smiling face. Standing in front of the Buddha statue, one will be extremely shocked. You can see the golden body reflecting brilliant lights to cover the entire room, and his giant eyes are looking at you, kind and dignified. The Buddha statue is so huge that it's hard to see his whole body at once. If you want a more in-depth experience, you can buy 108 coins in the temple, walk around the Buddha statue, and place the coins in the bowls near it. It's a ritual that brings you good luck and keeps you safe.

The Grand Palace, Thailand

India

India, one of the four ancient civilizations, has a profound cultural accumulation with countless magnificent buildings, thus making it a good choice for travel.

The most beautiful building in India is the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mosque, as well as the mausoleum built by an Indian king for his beloved concubine. With a height of 240 meters, it has unparalleled brilliance and elegance. The mosque is of typical Islamic design, with beautiful domes and snowy walls meticulously carved with intricate patterns. On sunny days, the glimmering sunlight and blue sky complement its beauty. Flying birds, pools, and surrounding greenery all serve as its foil.

Another palace as famous as the Taj Mahal is Agra Fort. Built in 1573, it is a complex built of red sandstone, used as the royal palace of the Mughal dynasty. The outer red enclosure is 12 meters high, extending into the distance and appearing a dazzling golden red under the sunset. With elaborate arches, deep cloisters, and lush interior gardens, the Red Fort captures all the essence of Indian architecture. What's more, there is a touching story: there is an octagonal tower inside the palace, where the king overlooked the Taj Mahal and pined for his consort day and night.

Taj Mahal, India

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Spain

Spain is a country of art and passion whose superb history leaves numerous treasures to satisfy your cultural tour.

The Plaza Puerta del Sol square, located in the capital, Madrid, is home to a large number of ancient buildings. The red and white buildings lined up beside streets have gone through hundreds of years, through which you can catch a glimpse of Spanish architectural art. As a landmark of the city, it is the busiest square in Madrid and is used to hold various celebrations and gatherings. Ancient statues stand on the square, and the most famous is the "bear and strawberry tree", which is an adorable, chubby bear hugging a strawberry tree. The statue represents the origin of the city of Madrid. There is also a statue of King Carlos III riding a horse.

The Palacio Real de Madrid, one of the three royal palaces of Europe, can offer you a visual feast of the glorious Spanish arts. This baroque palace was built in 1764, with a magnificent white facade outside and a series of gorgeous decorations inside golden crystal chandeliers, paintings covering the entire wall, depicting the reigns of Spanish emperors and the stories of Catholicism. The cathedral is inlaid with stained glass, and rooms are hung with dazzling floral patterns, etc., so it could be said that all the greatest designs in the world are gathered here.

Madrid, Spain

China

China, one of the four ancient civilizations, has a vast territory that nurtures a profound civilization and a great deal of heritage, is a splendid cultural travel destination that you shouldn't miss.

One of the most famous in China is the Great Wall. It is an ancient rampart built on continuous mountain ranges, the earliest section of which was built in the 9th century B.C. In the past 2,000 years, it has been fortified by different rulers. The sturdy wall stretches to the horizon like a giant stone snake that has guarded the land for thousands of years. Being able to walk the entire length of the Great Wall is seen as a symbol of willpower. There are also many ancient poems in China praising the Great Wall.

Located in the capital city of Beijing, the Forbidden City is the royal palace as well as a majestic artwork. Hundreds of palaces make up a miniature city, which takes at least two days to wander through. A symmetrical structure reveals classic Chinese architectural art. Large pieces of red and yellow are used, two colors favored by Chinese. Each palace has wide golden eaves and flying clouds on the walls. As you wander, huge carvings of green dragons and stone lions can be seen. The walls are wide and high, painted with vermilion lacquer. Inside the Forbidden City, there is also a museum with a rich collection of exquisite jewelry, paintings, porcelain, bronzes, etc.

Forbidden City, China

Japan

Throughout its thousands of years, Japan has accumulated a unique culture with both the softness of nature and the toughness of Bushido.

The Meiji Shrine, located in the capital, Tokyo, is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. Here, you can have a thorough experience of Japan. The Japanese people hold respect for nature; thus, each forest is well preserved, with many trees over 100 years old. The Meiji Shrine is protected in dense green forests, and its main body is a great wooden structure with simple colors. Like an elderly person quietly telling history, the Meiji Shrine stands solemnly and welcomes visitors from all around. Many people buy guardians at the shrine, which are said to help achieve wishes if you write them down and put them in the guardian. Then you can follow Japanese etiquette to worship and seek a signature to pray for goodness. In spring and autumn, there are also ceremonies where people wearing kimonos parade and do traditional performances.

Located in Kyoto City, Nijo Castle is an excellent place to explore Japanese history. Japan went through a period of the Shogun's rule for over 600 years, and Nijo Castle was the Shogun's quarters. Built in 1603, it consists of a series of imposing black buildings that match the seriousness of the Shogun's rule. The outer is a moat thriving with lush vegetation, and the black gates are studded with gold patterns, showing off more grandeur. Inside the palace are many precious frescoes, each of which is a national treasure. As an ancient mansion built by the Shogun rulers, it has witnessed its master's rise and fall.

Nijo Castle, Japan

Morocco

That would be an extremely abundant cultural tour if you chose Morocco as your destination, with not only ancient Roman sites and historic Islamic architecture but also the French colonial buildings and its local vernacular houses.

The Hassan II mosque, one of the most typical mosques in Casablanca, is a monastery on the edge of the beach, facing the Atlantic. The white walls and green roofs of the temple, set against the blue sea and sky, offer worshippers a place to pray over the sea, which can be a unique experience. It doesn't matter if you're a non-believer, the beauty of this mosque will definitely catch your eye. Unlike most domed mosques, it has a 210-meter-high tower with delicate and symmetrical carvings, which lights up like a lighthouse at night, attracting people to visit. Inside is the sacred and silent lobby, with the reflection of chandeliers on the polished marble floor. As the sound of people praying echoes in the hall, blending with the sound of the waves outside, you will marvel at the subtlety of its design.

Volubilis is a Roman monument near the city of Meknes that preserves the traces of the Romans who lived here in the 3rd century BC. Here you can walk between the columns of the temples, through the huge arches, see the ruins of the Roman churches of the past and admire the beautiful mosaics on the floor, which depict the richness of the life of the people of that time, such as the autumn harvest, the hunt and the story of Diana the Moon. Though the curving channels of the pools are now covered with gravel, the public baths are exposed in their original underwater form and the fountains in the city center look somewhat forlorn, there is something uniquely creative that is impossible to ignore when standing beneath these gigantic stone monoliths.

Hassan II Mosque, Morocco

Over the course of humanity's thousand-year existence, vibrant cultures were created in different areas. It is wonderful to see these treasures with your own eyes, to follow them, and to read ancient history all over again. Which one is your next cultural travel destination? No matter which one, it must be as wonderful as you imagine.