Paro Taktsang, Bhutan

Around the world, sacred sites continue to be popular travel destinations for pilgrims and tourists alike. Not only do they offer a glimpse to a country's culture, these architectural wonders -- from monasteries built on mountain tops to temples carved into cliff faces -- stand in harmony with nature, bringing visitors to places of immense beauty and spiritual solitude.

Also known as the "Tiger's Nest Temple," Paro Taktsang is a Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, considered one of the holiest sites in Bhutan. It precariously clings to a the Paro Valley, according to the Tourism Council of Bhutan. The temple was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdupcave where Guru Padmasambhava(credited for bringing Buddhism to Bhutan) is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century.

The monastery buildings consist of four main temples and residential shelters designed to adapt to the rock (granite) ledges, the caves and the rocky terrain. They are interconnected by stairways and steps made with rocks and built with balconies that provide stunning views of the valley below. To reach the site,at 7,000 feet, to the Tiger’s Nest 3,000 feet above,10,000 feet above sea level, according to Atlas Obscura.

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Xuankong Temple (Hanging Temple), China

Although it looks as if it's precariously balanced on the side of a sheer vertical cliff, Xuankong Temple near Mount Heng in China has survived more than 1,500 years. According to China Travel Guide, the temple was constructed using a foundation of , and might have been built in this odd location to protect it from rain and snow. Apart from its architectural ingenuity, the Hanging Monastery is also famous for being the only existing temple that : Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, says China Tour Advisors. Sculptures of Confucius, Sakyamuni and Laotzu ( the founders of the three religions) all appear together in the temple. For travelers who want to see what it's like to visit a temple hanging on a cliff, the Hanging Monastery charges a ($8.78) entrance fee.

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Meteora, Greece

A view of the Varlaam Monastery at Meteora, central Greece, in this picture taken on April 11, 2007. (Aris Messins/AFP/Getty Images)

Meaning "suspended in the air" in Greek, the 11th-century Orthodox monasteries at the Meteora are balanced on top of rock pinnacles that tower 1000 feet above the surrounding valley. Because there were no roads or passages to reach the top of the rocky peaks, monks and pilgrims were , according to UNESCO. The monasteries were built during a period of political instability in the country, and being located on inaccessible cliffs, the 24 monasteries flourished. Today, however, by religious communities, says UNESCO. The Meteora has been designated a World Heritage site, and that were eventually cut into the rock to see some of the monasteries, according to travel guide writer Matt Barrett.

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Sumela Monastery, Turkey

Nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of about 3,900 ft facing the Altindere valley, at Mela mountain in the Trabzon Province of Turkey, Sumela Monasteryis a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The monastery during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I, according toRepublic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism. It fell into ruin several times and was restored by various emperors throughout its long history. Today the monastery's primary function is as a tourist attraction. It overlooks forests and streams, making it extremely popular for its stunning views as well as for its cultural and religious significance.As of 2012, the Turkish government is funding restoration work, and the monastery is enjoying a revival in pilgrimage from Greece and Russia.

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Temples of Mount Jiuhua, China

Mount Jiuhua in Anhui, China, has long been a destination for Buddhist pilgrims and monks. Considered one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism, there are of the mountain and the forests along its slopes, according to China International Travel Service. The temples still house , and thousands of Buddhist statues and relics from earlier dynasties, says China Daily. According to China Radio International, the high peaks and beautiful forests are always filled with a .

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Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, Spain

Located near the top of 4,000-ft mountain of Montserrat, not far from the bustling cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, Spain, stands one of the world's most important religious retreats, the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey.Notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat, the site has , according to Sacred-Destinations.com. The Basilica atMontserrat, which welcomes around 3.2. million visitors per year, is also home to theEscolania, Montserrat’s Boys’ Choir, one of the oldest in Europe. The choir performs during religious ceremonies and communal prayers in the basilica.

Montserrat is also more than just religious icons, 12th century Romanesque carvings, and impressive churches. This sacred spot is popularwith nature lovers, hikers and climbers who enjoy the stunning rock formations and panoramic views from the mountain. Montserratis accessible via hiking, car and public transportation.

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Simonopetra Monastery, Greece

Currently housing 54 monks, Simonopetra Monastery in Mount Athos in Greece isis , practically hanging from a cliff about 1,080 feet over the sea, according to MountAthos.gr.The monastery was founded during the 13th century by Simon the Athonite, who was later sanctified by the Eastern Orthodox Church as Osios Simon the Myrrohovletes. Tradition holds that Simon, while dwelling in a nearby cave, saw a dream in which the Theotokos instructed him to build a monastery on top of the rock, promising him that she would protect and provide for him and the monastery.

The monastery consists of several multi-storied buildings, the main structure has been described as the "," according to the Greek Ministry of Culture.The monastery is built on top of the underlying massive rock, and the rock runs through the lower floors.

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