From the Buddhist traditions of Asia to the Christian traditions of Europe and the Near East, these ten isolated monasteries are among the world’s most gravity-defying spiritual sites.

Bhutan's enchanting monasteries, including Taktshang Monastery on a cliff in Paro Valley and Punakha Dzong at the confluence ...

The Hanle Monastery is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, one of the world’s highest sites for optical, gamma-ray and infrared telescopes. At an elevation of 14,674 ft, the Indian ...

surviving on one meal a day and avoiding any contact with the outside world. Before the construction of the monastery, Lama Tsultim Nima started a hermitage at the site to teach monks about Buddhism.