The eye perceives beauty, but this building in Asia strikes straight at the heart. India's Taj Mahal, an ivory white marble monument to love, has just been named the most beautiful building in the world by Time Out.
It tops a list of 24 most beautiful buildings in the world, shortlisted by Time Out travel editors to celebrate striking and inspiring architectural gems across the globe. We've featured centuries-old monasteries and futuristic art galleries, but taking the cake: what we'd consider the most romantic gesture of all time.
Built between 1632 and 1653, the Taj Mahal was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Besides the poignant love story behind it, the Taj Mahal is admired as a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, featuring an immense Persian-inspired dome, four free-standing minarets similar to those found in Islamic mosques, and calligraphy and floral motifs reminiscent of Islamic art. It's also really easy on the eye, with perfect symmetry from every angle, only enhanced by a reflection pool that leads up to the Taj Mahal.
Three other buildings from Asia were included in our ranking. At No. 12 is the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the house of the Parliament of Bangladesh in the capital, Dhaka. It was designed by the world-renowned architect Louis Kahn, who incorporated local materials, such as concrete and marble, to create a powerful structure. Vast geometric openings punctuate this imposing facade to allow natural light to flood the interior space – creating the depth and texture Kahn so admired in ancient architecture.
Next, Vietnam's Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House in Hanoi is ranked No. 15. Situated in a village renowned for its pottery, this elegant, tiered structure is designed to resemble interlocking potters' wheels. Seven upside-down domes with skylights create a light-filled space for public events, with floors stacked above providing spaces to showcase the pottery crafts and techniques that define the village.
At No. 24 is Enryaku-ji, a Tendai monastery in Kyoto, Japan. It's considered one of the most important monasteries in Japan, as it was founded in 288 by Saicho, the monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism to the country. Most of the temple buildings you see today were rebuilt in the early Edo Period, after an attack by Oda Nobunaga (one of the three great unifiers of Japan) destroyed most of the original structures in 1571. Today, you can wander through forested trails to visit the main Todo area, the Saito area, and the Yokawa area.
The most beautiful buildings in Asia, according to Time Out:
- Taj Mahal, India
- Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh
- Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House, Vietnam
- Enryaku-ji, Japan
Have you heard? 13 Asian universities named in the world's top 50 for 2026, according to the QS University Rankings
Plus: 14 Asian restaurants entered the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Asia newsletter for the best travel inspiration straight to your inbox.