Golden Pavilion, Kyoto, Japan

Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is a pagoda made to house the sacred relics of the Buddha and it sits on a lake in the former Japanese capital.

Each floor of the Kinkaku uses a different architectural style – shinden, samurai and zen – and it features extensive gold plating and gold leaf.

The wooden structure has been affected by fire several times over the centuries, but has always been faithfully rebuilt exactly as it was.

Ironically, it is topped with a bronze phoenix. With its glorious gardens, it is justifiably one of the most popular tourist sights in spectacular Kyoto.

More info: japan.travel/en/uk