The Forgotten Kingdoms of Asia: Lost Empires That Still Whisper to Travelers

Asia’s history is a tapestry woven with empires that once thrived, some ruling over vast territories, others flourishing in secluded valleys. Many of these kingdoms have faded from modern maps, their names surviving only in dusty chronicles or half-buried ruins. Yet for the curious traveler, their legacies remain in temple stones, crumbling citadels, and legends still told in the villages.

Exploring these forgotten kingdoms isn’t just sightseeing. It’s a chance to step into the stories that shaped cultures, art, and architecture for centuries.

1. The Kingdom of Champa – Vietnam’s Maritime Powerhouse

Location: Central & Southern Vietnam

Era: 2nd century – 1832

Long before Vietnam’s coastline became a favorite for beach resorts, the Cham people ruled over a thriving maritime kingdom. Champa controlled vital sea routes along the South China Sea, trading spices, ivory, and ceramics with merchants from India, Arabia, and China.

Today, their influence is best seen in the My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Hoi An. Its red-brick Hindu temples, overgrown by jungle, are reminiscent of Angkor but have their own distinct style. Travelers can explore the towers at dawn for a mystical, mist-filled experience, then head to coastal towns like Quy Nhon to see Cham towers silhouetted against turquoise seas.

Travel tip: Visit during the Kate Festival (around October) to witness Cham traditions, dance, and rituals still alive after centuries.

2. The Srivijaya Empire – Indonesia’s Lost Maritime Realm

Location: Sumatra & Maritime Southeast Asia

Era: 7th – 13th century

The Srivijaya Empire rarely appears in mainstream travel guides, but it once dominated the trade and cultural exchanges of Southeast Asia. Centered in Palembang, Sumatra, this Buddhist empire controlled the Malacca and Sunda Straits, the “choke points” of ancient shipping.

Little remains of Srivijaya’s capital except for archaeological parks like Muarajambi and museum collections of bronze Buddha statues. But the empire’s influence stretched to temples like Borobudur in Java, one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world. Travelers retracing Srivijaya’s path can combine cultural exploration with island-hopping between Sumatra, Bangka, and Belitung, places with pristine beaches and stories of ancient spice traders.

3. The Kingdom of Silla – Korea’s Golden Dynasty

Location: Gyeongju, South Korea

Era: 57 BCE – 935 CE

For nearly a millennium, the Kingdom of Silla ruled much of the Korean Peninsula, ushering in an era known as the “Golden Kingdom” for its flourishing art and goldsmithing. Its capital, Gyeongju, is often called a “museum without walls”, home to royal tombs shaped like grassy hills, wooden pagodas, and Buddhist grottoes.

The jewel of Silla heritage is the Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, both UNESCO sites. The Cheomseongdae Observatory, one of Asia’s oldest astronomical towers, still stands as a silent witness to the Silla’s scientific achievements.

Travel tip: Visit in spring to see cherry blossoms framing ancient palace grounds, or in autumn when Gyeongju glows with crimson foliage.

4. The Kingdom of Lan Xang – Laos’ Million Elephants

Location: Laos

Era: 1354 – 1707

Lan Xang, meaning “The Land of a Million Elephants,” was one of Southeast Asia’s great but lesser-known kingdoms. Its capital, Luang Prabang, became a center for Theravada Buddhism, attracting artisans, monks, and traders from across the region.

Today, Luang Prabang is a serene UNESCO World Heritage town where saffron-robed monks collect alms at dawn, golden temple roofs reflect the Mekong’s shimmer, and French colonial architecture stands beside teakwood houses.

For travelers, Lan Xang’s legacy is not just in temples like Wat Xieng Thong, but in the rhythm of life, slow, graceful, and deeply tied to nature.

5. The Ryukyu Kingdom – Japan’s Island Bridge to the World

Location: Okinawa Islands, Japan

Era: 1429 – 1879

While mainland Japan was shaped by samurai clans, the Ryukyu Kingdom thrived on maritime trade between China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Its capital, Shuri, blended architectural styles and diplomatic customs from all over Asia.

Travelers can explore Shurijo Castle (rebuilt after WWII and recent fire damage), traditional Okinawan villages, and the turquoise-fringed islands that once bustled with foreign merchants. The Ryukyu’s unique culture lives on in its music, dance, and distinct cuisine like trying Okinawa soba while listening to sanshin music.

6. The Chenla and Funan Kingdoms – Cambodia’s Early Empires

Location: Southern Cambodia & Mekong Delta

Era: Funan (1st – 6th century), Chenla (6th – 9th century)

Before the mighty Khmer Empire rose to fame with Angkor Wat, Cambodia was shaped by two earlier kingdoms: Funan and its successor, Chenla. Funan thrived as a maritime trade power, connecting India and China. Chenla inherited its lands and became a bridge between coastal commerce and inland kingdoms.

Today, traces of these early empires lie in sites like Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO-listed complex of pre-Angkorian brick temples hidden in the forests of Kampong Thom. Its octagonal towers and delicate carvings hint at the architectural style that would later define Angkor.

Travel tip: Combine a visit to Sambor Prei Kuk with a trip to the floating villages of the Tonle Sap, retracing the ancient waterways that sustained these kingdoms.

7. The Nanzhao Kingdom – China’s Highland Realm

Location: Yunnan Province, China

Era: 8th – 10th century

In the mountains of Yunnan, the Nanzhao Kingdom once held sway over a vast territory stretching into modern-day Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. A strategic crossroads between China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, Nanzhao became a melting pot of cultures, religions, and art.

The kingdom’s former capital, Dali, still charms visitors with its Bai ethnic heritage, three ancient pagodas, and dramatic views of Cangshan Mountain. The Erhai Lake shores, dotted with fishing villages, carry echoes of Nanzhao’s trading fleets. The nearby Butterfly Spring and old city gates add a romantic touch to the highland atmosphere.

Travel tip: Visit Dali during spring to see wildflowers bloom across the highlands, or pair it with a journey to Shaxi Ancient Town, a former tea-horse trade route hub with centuries-old wooden architecture.

8. The Pagan Kingdom – Myanmar’s City of a Thousand Temples

Location: Bagan, Myanmar

Era: 9th – 13th century

Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Pagan Kingdom transformed the central plains of Myanmar into one of the greatest Buddhist cultural centers in the world. At its height, over 10,000 temples, stupas, and monasteries dotted the Bagan landscape.

Even after Mongol invasions and centuries of neglect, more than 2,000 temples still stand, glowing golden at sunrise. Some, like Ananda Temple, are architectural masterpieces; others are modest brick shrines hidden in fields where farmers still work the land.

Travel tip: Rent an electric bike at dawn to glide between temples as hot air balloons rise over the Irrawaddy River, one of Asia’s most magical travel experiences.

The forgotten kingdoms of Asia may have lost their armies and palaces, but they have gained the romance of mystery for all curious history lovers. Their ruins, temples, and stories invite travelers to imagine bustling ports now silent, royal courts now reduced to stones under the sun, and artisans whose work outlived their names.

Traveling to these places is not just about looking back, it’s about connecting past and present, seeing how cultures adapt and endure. In a world that moves fast, the slow and deliberate steps through these ancient sites remind us that great things take centuries to build, and sometimes, just moments to fall.

So pack your curiosity, a sturdy pair of shoes, and an open mind. Asia's forgotten kingdoms are waiting, ready to tell their stories to anyone willing to listen.