List of World Heritage Sites in China
With more than 57 World Heritage Sites, China demonstrated its significant commitment to cultural preservation since joining the World Cultural Convention in 1985. Its portfolio contains 38 cultural, 14 natural, and 4 mixed sites, demonstrating China’s diverse past and significance as a worldwide tourist powerhouse.
Beyond physical buildings, UNESCO has recognized China’s documentary history and intangible cultural practices, confirming its position as a guardian of significant world heritage.
In this article, you will learn about the List of World Heritage Sites in China.
List of World Heritage Sites in China- Cultural
China’s rich tapestry of history and natural splendor has earned it a prominent place on the world heritage map, with a remarkable collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites highlighting the country’s major contributions to global culture and natural beauty.
These locations, which range from breathtaking landscapes and architectural wonders to insightful views of ancient communities, demonstrate the richness and breadth of Chinese heritage.
S.No |
Year |
Name of Site |
Location |
Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
1994 |
Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains |
Hubei |
Cultural |
2 |
1997 |
Ancient City of Ping Yao |
Shanxi |
Cultural |
3 |
2000 |
Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui–Xidi and Hongcun |
Anhui |
Cultural |
4 |
2019 |
Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City |
Zhejiang |
Cultural |
5 |
2004 |
Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom |
Jilin |
Cultural |
6 |
1997, 2000 |
Classical Gardens of Suzhou |
Jiangsu |
Cultural |
7 |
2013 |
Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces |
Yunnan |
Cultural |
8 |
2023 |
Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er |
Yunnan |
Cultural |
9 |
1999 |
Dazu Rock Carvings |
Chongqing |
Cultural |
10 |
2008 |
Fujian Tulou |
Fujian |
Cultural |
11 |
2005 |
Historic Centre of Macao |
Macao |
Cultural |
12 |
1994, 2000, 2001 |
Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa |
Tibet |
Cultural |
13 |
2010 |
Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” |
Henan |
Cultural |
14 |
1987, 2004 |
Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang |
Beijing, Liaoning |
Cultural |
15 |
2000, 2003, 2004 |
Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties |
Multiple locations |
Cultural |
16 |
2007 |
Kaiping Diaolou and Villages |
Guangdong |
Cultural |
17 |
2017 |
Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement |
Fujian |
Cultural |
18 |
2000 |
Longmen Grottoes |
Henan |
Cultural |
19 |
1996 |
Lushan National Park |
Jiangxi |
Cultural |
20 |
1987 |
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor |
Shaanxi |
Cultural |
21 |
1987 |
Mogao Caves |
Gansu |
Cultural |
22 |
2000 |
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System |
Sichuan |
Cultural |
23 |
2009 |
Mount Wutai |
Shanxi |
Cultural |
24 |
1994 |
Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde |
Hebei |
Cultural |
25 |
1997 |
Old Town of Lijiang |
Yunnan |
Cultural |
26 |
1987 |
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian |
Beijing |
Cultural |
27 |
2021 |
Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China |
Fujian |
Cultural |
28 |
2014 |
Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor |
Multiple locations |
Cultural |
29 |
2012 |
Site of Xanadu |
Inner Mongolia |
Cultural |
30 |
1998 |
Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing |
Beijing |
Cultural |
31 |
1994 |
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu |
Shandong |
Cultural |
32 |
1998 |
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing |
Beijing |
Cultural |
33 |
2014 |
The Grand Canal |
Multiple c locations |
Cultural |
34 |
1987 |
The Great Wall |
Multiple locations |
Cultural |
35 |
2015 |
Tusi Sites |
Multiple locations |
Cultural |
36 |
2011 |
West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou |
Zhejiang |
Cultural |
37 |
2006 |
Yin Xu |
Henan |
Cultural |
38 |
2001 |
Yungang Grottoes |
Shanxi |
Cultural |
39 |
2016 |
Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape |
Guangxi |
Cultural |
List of World Heritage Sites in China- Natural and Mixed
S.No |
Year |
Name of Site |
Location |
Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
2012 |
Chengjiang Fossil Site |
Yunnan |
Natural |
2 |
2010 |
China Danxia |
Several Provinces |
Natural |
3 |
2018 |
Fanjingshan |
Guizhou |
Natural |
4 |
1992 |
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area |
Sichuan |
Natural |
5 |
2016 |
Hubei Shennongjia |
Hubei |
Natural |
6 |
1992 |
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area |
Sichuan |
Natural |
7 |
2019 |
Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) |
Yellow Sea/Bohai |
Natural |
8 |
2008 |
Mount Sanqingshan National Park |
Jiangxi |
Natural |
9 |
2017 |
Qinghai Hoh Xil |
Qinghai |
Natural |
10 |
2006 |
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries – Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains |
Sichuan |
Natural |
11 |
2007, 2014 |
South China Karst |
Several Provinces |
Natural |
12 |
2003 |
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas |
Yunnan |
Natural |
13 |
1992 |
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area |
Hunan |
Natural |
14 |
2013 |
Xinjiang Tianshan |
Xinjiang |
Natural |
15 |
1996 |
Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area |
Sichuan |
Mixed |
16 |
1990 |
Mount Huangshan |
Anhui |
Mixed |
17 |
1987 |
Mount Taishan |
Shandong |
Mixed |
18 |
1999 |
Mount Wuyi |
Fujian |
Mixed |
List of World Heritage Sites in China- Tentative List
These are the places that China has nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
S.No |
Year |
Name |
Location |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
1996 |
Dongzhai Port Nature Reserve |
Henan |
2 |
1996 |
The Alligator Sinensis Nature Reserve |
Anhui |
3 |
1996 |
Poyang Nature Reserve |
Jiangxi |
4 |
1996 |
The Lijiang River Scenic Zone at Guilin |
Guangxi |
5 |
2001 |
Yalong, Tibet |
Tibet |
6 |
2001 |
Yangtze Gorges Scenic Spot |
Chongqing/Sichuan |
7 |
2001 |
Jinfushan Scenic Spot |
Chongqing |
8 |
2001 |
Heaven Pit and Ground Seam Scenic Spot |
Chongqing |
9 |
2001 |
Hua Shan Scenic Area |
Shaanxi |
10 |
2001 |
Yandang Mountains |
Zhejiang |
11 |
2001 |
Nanxi River |
Zhejiang |
12 |
2001 |
Maijishan Scenic Spots |
Gansu |
13 |
2001 |
Wudalianchi Scenic Spots |
Heilongjiang |
14 |
2001 |
Haitian Scenic Spots |
Fujian |
15 |
2001 |
Dali Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake Scenic Spot |
Yunnan |
16 |
2008 |
Sites for Liquor Making in China |
Multiple Locations |
17 |
2008 |
Ancient Residences in Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces |
Shanxi, Shaanxi |
18 |
2008 |
City Walls of the Ming and Qing Dynasties |
Multiple Locations |
19 |
2008 |
Slender West Lake and Historic Urban Area in Yangzhou |
Jiangsu |
20 |
2008 |
Ancient Water Towns South of the Yangtze River (Zhouzhuang, Luzhi, Wuzhen, and Xitang) |
Jiangsu, Zhejiang |
21 |
2008 |
Fenghuang Ancient City |
Hunan |
22 |
2008 |
Sites of the Southern Yue State |
Guangdong |
23 |
2008 |
Baiheliang Ancient Hydrological Inscription |
Chongqing |
24 |
2008 |
Miao Nationality Villages in Southeast Guizhou Province |
Guizhou |
25 |
2008 |
Karez Wells |
Xinjiang |
26 |
2008 |
Expansion Project of Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: King Lujian’s Tombs |
Multiple Locations |
27 |
2008 |
The Four Sacred Mountains as an extension of Mt. Taishan |
Multiple Locations |
28 |
2010 |
Taklimakan Desert–Populus euphratica Forests |
Xinjiang |
29 |
2010 |
China Altay |
Xinjiang |
30 |
2010 |
Karakorum–Pamir |
Xinjiang |
31 |
2013 |
The Central Axis of Beijing (including Beihai) |
Beijing |
32 |
2013 |
Wooden Structures of Liao Dynasty – Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County, Main Hall of Fengguo Monastery of Yixian County |
Shanxi |
33 |
2013 |
Sites of the Hongshan Culture: Niuheliang, Hongshanhou, and Weijiawopu |
Liaoning |
34 |
2013 |
Ancient Porcelain Kiln Site in China |
Multiple Locations |
35 |
2013 |
Sanfang Qixiang |
Fujian |
36 |
2013 |
Western Xia Imperial Tombs |
Ningxia |
37 |
2013 |
Dong Villages |
Guizhou, Hunan |
38 |
2013 |
Lingqu Canal |
Guangxi |
39 |
2013 |
Diaolou Buildings and Villages for Tibetan and Qiang Ethnic Groups |
Sichuan |
40 |
2013 |
Archaeological Sites of the Ancient Shu State |
Sichuan |
41 |
2015 |
Xinjiang Yardang |
Xinjiang |
42 |
2015 |
Dunhuang Yardangs |
Gansu |
43 |
2015 |
Tianzhushan |
Anhui |
44 |
2015 |
Jinggangshan–North Wuyishan |
Jiangxi, Fujian |
45 |
2015 |
Shudao |
Sichuan |
46 |
2015 |
Tulin–Guge Scenic and Historic Interest Areas |
Tibet |
47 |
2016 |
The Chinese Section of the Silk Roads |
Multiple Locations |
48 |
2017 |
Guancen Mountain – Luya Mountain |
Shanxi |
49 |
2017 |
Hulun Buir Landscape and Birthplace of Ancient Minority |
Inner Mongolia |
50 |
2017 |
Qinghai Lake |
Qinghai |
51 |
2017 |
Scenic and historic area of Sacred Mountains and Lakes |
Tibet |
52 |
2017 |
Taihang Mountain |
Hebei, Shanxi, Henan |
53 |
2017 |
Vertical Vegetation Landscape and Volcanic Landscape in Changbai Mountain |
Jilin |
54 |
2019 |
Badain Jaran Desert—Towers of Sand and Lakes |
Inner Mongolia |
55 |
2019 |
Guizhou Triassic Fossil Sites |
Guizhou |
56 |
2019 |
Huangguoshu Scenic Area |
Guizhou |
57 |
2022 |
Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group |
Hainan |
58 |
2022 |
Fujian Minjiang River Estuary |
Fujian |
Most Visited World Heritage Site in China
Forbidden City
- Visitors: Averages 15 million annually, with over 16 million in 2016.
- Location: Beijing, China.
- History: Served as the imperial palace from 1420 (Ming Dynasty) to 1912 (end of Qing Dynasty).
- Features: Covers 180 acres, consists of 980 buildings, and has been a significant influence on East Asian architectural development.
- Current Use: Houses the Palace Museum, open to the public.
Kulangsu
- Visitors: Over 12 million annually.
- Location: Fujian Province, China.
- Unique Aspects: Pedestrian-only island, less than one square mile, with fewer than 20,000 residents. Cars and bicycles are banned.
- Access: Via ferry from Xiamen.
- Attractions: Beaches, varied architecture, and China’s only piano museum.
Great Wall of China
- Visitors: Over 10 million annually.
- Significance: Built to protect against raids and invasions from the Eurasian Steppe.
- Construction: Utilizes stones, wood, and bricks, among other materials. Built over various dynasties, stretching from Dandong to Lop Lake.
- UNESCO: Designated a World Heritage Site in 1987.
Most Famous World Heritage Site in China
The Great Wall
Built around the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Stretches through 15 provinces, showcasing vast engineering feats and majestic views.
Features famous sections like Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai, and Jinshanling. Offers unique experiences like off-the-beaten-path hikes and night tours.
Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Includes the Forbidden City in Beijing and Mukden Palace in Shenyang. Forbidden City, founded in 1406, now houses 1,862,690 historical relics as the Palace Museum. Mukden Palace combines Han, Manchu, and Mongolian architectural elements.
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
The oldest and largest imperial tomb was discovered in 1974 with 8,000 terracotta warriors and horses. Features detailed sculptures showing distinct Qin characteristics.
Potala Palace
The highest ancient building and a vast palace complex in Tibet. Serves as a major religious site and attracts pilgrims and tourists annually.
Mogao Grottoes
Largest and best-preserved Buddhist art treasure house, established in 366 AD. Contains 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 sculptures.
South China Karst
Features the world’s most spectacular tropical and subtropical karst landforms, including spires, cones, natural bridges, and giant sinkholes. Key areas include Guilin (Guangxi), Stone Forest (Yunnan), Maolan (Guizhou), and Wulong (Chongqing), showcasing natural beauty and geological evolution.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Comprises Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu, Tianzishan, and Yangjiajie. Known for its surreal landscape of towering pinnacles, it served as a filming location for “Avatar.”
Offers a mix of geology, dense forests, plant gardens, and wildlife havens.
Jiuzhaigou Valley
China’s first nature reserve dedicated to protecting natural scenery is named after nine Tibetan villages within. Features rare plants and animals, ancient fossils, glacial landforms, waterfalls, springs, and 108 colourful pools.
Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Known for its odd pines, bizarre rocks, cloud seas, and hot springs, formed nearly 100 million years ago. Influential in Chinese art and literature, inspiring poets and artists, and leading to the distinctive Huangshan painting style.
Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha
A UNESCO Heritage Site combining Buddhist culture with natural beauty. Mount Emei is celebrated for its Buddhist architectural and artistic heritage.
The Leshan Giant Buddha, the world’s largest stone Buddha at 71 meters, features an innovative drainage system to protect it from erosion.
Conclusion
China’s dynasty history demonstrates the durability and flexibility of its culture. Each dynasty, with its contributions and problems, played an important part in developing China into the country it is today.
From the oldest stories of the Xia to the imperial splendour of the Qing, China’s dynasty eras provide a glimpse into the rich complexity of human history, reflecting the centuries-long interaction of power, culture, and invention.
Related Links
List of World Heritage Sites in China- FAQs
How many World Heritage Sites are in China?
There total of 57 World Heritage Sites in China
What are the 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Beijing?
The Ming Tombs, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Grand Canal, and the “Peking Man”.
How many historical sites are there in China?
There are 116 Indian monuments that can be visited, across 19 states.
Which country has 36 World Heritage Sites?
India has 36 world heritage sites.
What is the most populous city in China?
Shanghai is the most populous city in China, with a population exceeding 24 million people.
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