Historic Site of Lyon

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country. France

year of inscription. 1998

criteria. Cultural

Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China

country. China

year of inscription. 2021

criteria. Cultural

This WHS is composed of a number of sites in Quanzhou in Fujian province. The city was an important maritime trading centre during the Song and Yuan Dynasties, between the 10th and 14th centuries, connecting the Chinese hinterland with the rest of the world. It was known as Zayton in Arabic and Western texts of the era. Included in the WHS are historical sites of administrative buildings, religious structures, cultural sites and monuments, industrial production sites, and transportation features like bridges and docks.

Taj Mahal

country. India

year of inscription. 1983

criteria. Cultural

The Taj Mahal is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a white marble mausoleum built between 1631 and 1648. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The building complex is considered to be the most prime example of Indo-Islamic architecture.

Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square

country. Germany

year of inscription. 2010

criteria. Cultural

This WHS is a Baroque palace, located in the state of Bavaria, is one of the largest and, regarded by many, as one of the most beautiful in Germany. It was created in the 18th century CE under the patronage of Prince-Bishop of Bamberg, Lothar Franz von Schönborn and Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Friedrich Carl von Schönborn. Construction of the main residence was from 1720 – 1744CE, interior decorations from 1740 – 1770CE, and gardens landscaped from 1765 – 1780CE. An international team of architects and artists came together to build and decorate this magnificent edifice.

Hubei Shennongjia

country. China

year of inscription. 2016

criteria. Natural

Located in the province of Hubei, this WHS consists of two sites: Shennongding (or, Badong) and Laojunshan. Being the last remaining primary forests in Central China, this area containing many varied flora species, including endemic ones, featured prominently in the history of botanical research, spurring international plant-collecting expeditions in the 19th and 20 centuries CE. It is also home to a rich array of rare fauna species.

Yin Xu

country. China

year of inscription. 2006

criteria. Cultural

The archaeological site of Yin Xu, located in Henan province, is the location of the capital of the Shang Dynasty (1300 – 1046BCE) of ancient China. Artefacts unearthed here are testaments to the development, artistic and scientific attainment, and prosperity of the Chinese Bronze Age. The foundations of palaces and houses as well as tombs, with grave goods made of jade, bone, ceramic and bronze, have been excavated here; notable amongst the royal tombs is the sole intact one: the Tomb of Fu Hao. Also discovered here were oracle bones – with ideograms etched on them – which form the origins of the Chinese writing system, one of the oldest in the world.

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

country. China

year of inscription. 2003 (modification: 2010)

criteria. Natural

The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas WHS is composed of protected areas within the boundaries of the Three Parallel Rivers National Park in Yunnan province. The site covers the upper reaches of three great Asian rivers: the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong, and Salween. Here, the three rivers run almost parallel, from north to south, through a part of the Hengduan Mountains. Within the WHS are a large variety of landscapes (e.g., river gorges, forests, snow-clad mountains, glaciers, alpine karst, reddish sandstone landforms (Danxia), lakes, and meadows) as well as one the richest biodiversity in temperate regions.

The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas consists of fifteen protected areas in eight geographic clusters. These areas comprise of:

• Baima-Meili Xue Shan Reserve
• Bita Lake Nature Reserve, part of Pudacuo National Park
• Three separate sections of the Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve
• Gongshan Scenic Area
• Haba Xueshan Nature Reserve, with the Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Hongshan Scenic Area, part of Pudacuo National Park
• Julong Lake Scenic Area
• Laojunshan Scenic Area
• Laowoshan Scenic Area
• Pianma Scenic Area
• Qianhushan Scenic Area
• Yueliangshan Scenic Area
• Yunling Nature Reserve

Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor

countries. China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan
year of inscription. 2014

criteria. Cultural

This multinational WHS is a 5,000km section of the extensive Silk Roads network, a 35,000km web of trading routes linking East, Central, South, and West Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This section consists of the part that linked Chang’an (modern-day Luoyang, Henan, China) in central ancient China, across the Tianshan mountains, and to the Zhetysu region of Central Asia. It was developed between the 2nd century BCE and 1st century CE, remaining in use until the 16th century. Alongside trade, religious beliefs, cultural practices, scientific and technological knowledge, and the arts were also exchanged between civilisations along the Silk Roads. The thirty-three component sites in this WHS include capital cities and palace complexes, trading settlements, Buddhist cave temples and other places of worship, ancient paths, posthouses, passes and beacon towers, sections of the Great Wall and other fortifications, as well as tombs.

In 2010, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan agreed to make a joint application for WHS status for their parts of the Silk Roads. This follows an earlier WHS tentative listing of Silk Roads sites made by China in 2008, which included sites on both the overland and maritime Silk Roads. Individually, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan also variously submitted Silk Roads sites to the WHS tentative list. In 2011, UNESCO proposed that the various sections of the Silk Roads be submitted for listing separately. Consequently, in 2014, the Chang’an-Tianshan section of China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan was listed as a multinational WHS.

The thirty-three sites are categorized into four regions:

1. Central China: sites in ancient Chinese imperial capitals

• Luoyang City of the Eastern Han to Northern Wei Dynasty, Luoyang, Henan Province
• Dingding Gate, Luoyang City of the Sui and Tang Dynasty, Luoyang, Henan Province
• Hangu Pass, Xin'an County, Henan Province
• Shihao section of Xiaohan Route, Sanmenxia, Henan Province
• Weiyang Palace, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Daming Palace, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Xingjiao Temple, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Bin County Cave Temple, Bin County, Shaanxi Province
• Tomb of Zhang Qian, Chenggu County, Shaanxi Province
• Maijishan Cave Temple Complex, Tianshui, Gansu Province

2. Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province, China

• Bingling Temple Grottoes, Yongjing County, Gansu Province
• Yumen Pass, Dunhuang, Gansu Province
• Xuanquanzhi Posthouse, Dunhuang, Gansu Province
• Suoyang City Ruins, Guazhou, Gansu Province

3. North and south of Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China

• Qocho (Gaochang) City Ruins, Turpan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Jiaohe Ruins, Turpan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Beshbalik (Beiting) City Ruins, Jimsar County, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Kizil Gaha Beacon Tower, Kuqa, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Kizil Caves, Kuqa, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Subash Buddhist Temple Ruins, Kuqa, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

4. Zhetysu Region of the Ili and Talas Valleys of Kazakhstan and the Chüy Valley of Kyrgyzstan

• Site of Kayalyk, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
• Karamergen, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
• Talgar, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
• Aktobe, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan
• Kulan, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan
• Akyrtas, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan
• Ornek, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan
• Kostobe, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan
• City of Suyab (Site of Ak-Beshim), Chüy Region, Kyrgyzstan
• City of Balasagun (Site of Burana), Chüy Region, Kyrgyzstan
• City of Nevaket (Site of Krasnaya Rechka), Chüy Region, Kyrgyzstan

Included in this WHS are the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China and Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, Henan Province, China, which are listed UNESCO WHS individually.

Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang

country. China

year of inscription. 1987 (extension: 2004)

criteria. Cultural

The Forbidden City in Beijing was been the palace of the emperors - and seat of power - of the Ming and Qing Dynasties of China for more than 500 years (1416 - 1911). The complex and the artefacts housed therein are an important showcase of Chinese civilisation in that era. It was inscribed as a UNESCO WHS in 1987 as Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 

The Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty (also known as Houjin or Shenglin Palace) in Shenyang, Liaoning province, was the royal residence of Qing emperors before the capital was moved to Beijing. It was built between 1625 - 26 and 1783. Besides telling of the history of the Qing Dynasty, it is also the holding site of Manchu cultural traditions. In 2004, it was added to the aforementioned site, and its name changed to reflect on the addition.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area

where. China
what. stamps (China, 1998)

Historic Centre of Macao

where. China
what. stamps (China, 1997)

San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano

where. San Marino
what. stamp (China, 1996)

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area

where. China
what. stamps (China, 1994)

Longmen Grottoes

where. China
what. stamps (1993)

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area

where. China
what. stamp (China, 2013)

Dazu Rock Carvings

where. China
what. stamp (China, 1988)

Longmen Grottoes

where. China
what. stamp (China, 1988)

Yungang Grottoes

country. China
year of inscription. 2001

criteria. Cultural

The Yungang Grottoes are located in the province of Shanxi. The site houses 252 caves of about 51,000 Buddhist statues, dating back to the 5th and 6th century CE, during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The cave art here is reflective of both South and Central Asian influences as well as distinct Chinese characteristics.

Sagarmatha National Park

where. Nepal
what. stamp (China, 1981)

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing

country. China

year of inscription. 1998

criteria. Cultural

This WHS is located in the municipality of Beijing. The complex was first built as a royal site in 1750 CE. After it was almost completely destroyed in an 1860 CE war, it was rebuilt on its original foundations in 1886 CE, and renamed the Summer Palace. It has since become celebrated for being a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design. Incorporating Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill as the natural framework, administrative halls, palaces, temples, pavilions, and bridges, many linked by roofed corridors, are set amidst a landscape of lakes and hills. It has had a profound influence on Oriental landscaping art.