Some of the largest and most famous of the world's pyramids are in Egypt. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids prolifically as mortuary monuments for royalty. More than 140 large structures have been found, with most sited along the Nile River. The Step Pyramid at Djoser is the earliest, dating back more than 4,600 years ago. The three pyramids on the Giza plateau are the most well-known and visited. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, located at Giza and completed around 2,550 B.C., is the tallest pyramid in world.
The Mayans and Aztecs also built many impressive pyramids. Mesoamerican pyramids are generally step pyramids with a flat space and often a temple on top. In contrast to Egyptian pyramids, those of Mesoamerica were built in the middle of cities, and were used as ceremonial centers, sometimes involving human sacrifice. The Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico is the world's largest pyramid by volume, although it is not as tall as the Great Pyramid at Giza. Teotihuacán, an ancient Mayan city near Mexico City, is the home of the Pyramid of the Sun, which is the third largest pyramid on the planet, as well as the Pyramid of the Moon.
A number of impressive pyramid sites exist in Asia. In Indonesia, Candi Sukuh is a step pyramid that bears a strong resemblance to the Mesoamerican styles. Built in the 15th century, Candi Sukuh was built as a Javanese-Hindu temple. Also in Java, the eighth century Borobudur Buddhist monument is in the form of a pyramid with a flat top. In India, many Hindu temples incorporated pyramids into the design of the central structure, particularly to the south. For example, Brihadisvara Temple is a tall, carved pyramid temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
China is home to more than 100 ancient temples, which were constructed as mausoleums for royalty. The most famous pyramid tomb is the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, near Xian. In addition to the large pyramid, Xian was the site of the famous Terracotta Warriors. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt and Mesoamerica, the Chinese pyramids are constructed of dirt and mud. Many of the pyramids in China are in areas not open to foreign tourists.