Rooplekha Das
Located at an altitude of over 4,000 metres in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley, Key Monastery is one of the world's highest inhabited Buddhist monasteries. Dating back to the 11th century, it is renowned for its ancient murals, rare manuscripts, and sweeping Himalayan views.
Perched dramatically on a cliff nearly 3,120 metres above sea level, Tiger's Nest is Bhutan's most iconic monastery. Reached via a scenic mountain hike, it is believed to be the meditation site of Guru Rinpoche and remains an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination.
Built into a steep cliff within Altındere National Park, Sumela Monastery sits around 1,200 metres above sea level. Founded during the Byzantine era, it is celebrated for its remarkable architecture, historic frescoes, and breathtaking mountain surroundings.
Perched atop one of Meteora's towering sandstone pillars, the Holy Trinity Monastery offers spectacular views of central Greece. Dating back to the 15th century, visitors reach this remarkable Eastern Orthodox monastery by climbing more than 140 stone steps.
Standing atop the extinct Mount Popa volcano at about 740 metres above sea level, Taung Kalat Monastery is reached by climbing 777 steps. The sacred Buddhist site is closely associated with Myanmar's revered guardian spirits, known as nats.
Suspended against a cliff on Mount Heng in Shanxi Province, the Hanging Monastery has stood for over 1,500 years. Built approximately 75 metres above the valley floor, it uniquely blends Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian traditions in one structure.
Nestled high in Catalonia's distinctive Montserrat mountain range, this Benedictine monastery sits about 720 metres above sea level. Founded in the 11th century, it is famous for housing the revered Black Madonna and offering stunning mountain panoramas.