For Your Holiday: China's Full List of 55 World-Heritage Sites

Source: JobTube, Arianna, MaLong

One of the many driving factors for Chinas flourishing tourism industry, is its unique array of UNESCO world-heritage sites, of which China currently holds 55 (highest rank worldwide along with Italy). 

 

On July 5th of this year, the 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting (World Heritage Convention) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and saw the addition of Chinas 55th world-heritage site the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in the Bohai Gulf along the coast of the Yellow Sea, located in Yancheng city, Jiangsu province.

Located in the largest intertidal mudflat wetland system in the world, rests this natural haven of animal and plant species. Besides its astounding beauty, the site is also a crucial location for many endangered bird and fish species, which rely on the areas rich biodiversity for its abundance of natural resources, and its role as a nesting and wintering pitstop in the migration process.

The rest of Chinas impressive list of sites, include 37 cultural heritage sites, 14 natural heritage sites, and 4 cultural and natural (mixed) sites. 

Check out the detailed list below!

World Cultural Heritage Sites (37)

-1-

The Great Wall

Arguably one of the most impressive architectural achievements in human civilization, and perhaps Chinas most prominent historical symbol, the Great Wall is a majestic structure stretching across Chinas ancient Northern borders. 

Listing Year: 1987

Location: Extending from (East) Shanhaiguan, to (west) Jiayuguan

 

-2-

The Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, including the Forbidden City and Mukden Imperial Palace

These magnificent complexes are historical testimonies of the two dynasties vast power and influence. The Forbidden City holds the title for the worlds largest collection of ancient standing wooden structures

Listing Year: 1987, 2004

Location: Beijing (Forbidden City), and Shenyang (Imperial Palace)

 

-3-

The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors 

Constructed for over 38 years, the peculiar Terracotta Army stands guard at Chinas first large-scale emperor mausoleum.  

Listing Year: 1987

Location: Shaanxi, Xian

 

-4-

The Mogao Caves 

Also known as the Thousand Buddhas Grottoes, this Buddhist oasis comprises of almost 500 temples, abundant with sculptures, murals, and other ancient artifacts of Buddhist origins.

Listing Year: 1987

Location: Dunhuang, Gansu

 

-5-

Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian 

This ancient cave system holds the discovery of one of the first Homo erectus specimens ever found (Peking Man), along with many other spectacular archeological findings. 

Listing Year: 1987

Location: Beijing 

 

-6-

Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, including the Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka

A sacred and important site for Tibetan Buddhism, and a long-standing global tourism attraction.

Listing Year: 1994, 2000, 2001 (respectively)

Location: Lhasa, Chinese Tibet 

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