China UNESCO world heritage sites

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China UNESCO world heritage sites north + south

Danxia in Taining at N27 0 37.00 E117 13 7.00 + N26 51 56.00E117 2 22.00
Taining's Danxia features red cliffs, towering peaks, and dramatic caves.

Maritime emporium during the Song and Yuan periods in Quanzhou see detail
The site encompasses religious buildings, including the 11th century AD Qingjing Mosque, one of the earliest Islamic edifices in China, Islamic tombs, and a wide range of archaeological remains: administrative buildings, stone docks that were important for commerce and defence, sites of ceramic and iron production, elements of the city’s transportation network, ancient bridges, pagodas, and inscriptions.

Historic International Settlement in Gulangyu @
There is a mixture of different architectural styles including Traditional Southern Fujian Style, Western Classical Revival Style and Veranda Colonial Style. The most exceptional testimony of the fusion of various stylistic influences is a new architectural movement, the Amoy Deco Style, which is a synthesis of the Modernist style of the early 20th century and Art Deco.

Dadi Earth Buildings in Xiandu at 344 County Road
Dadi Tulou Cluster, the most famous cluster in Hua'an earth buildings is mainly consist of Eryilou, Nanyanglou and Dongyanglou. The three earthen buildings all have their features. The Eryilou is known as the "King of Tulou", which is the best example and was included in the list of the World Heritage, the Nanyanglou is the "Fujian Tulou Museum", and Dongyanglou is the most livable place here.

Fujian Tulou buildings in Zhangzhou area see detail
They were built for defence purposes around a central open courtyard with only one entrance and windows to the outside only above the first floor. Housing a whole clan, the houses functioned as village units and were known as a little kingdom for the family or bustling small city. They feature tall fortified mud walls capped by tiled roofs with wide over-hanging eaves. The most elaborate structures date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The buildings were divided vertically between families with each disposing of two or three rooms on each floor.

Gansu province [capital = Lanzhou]

Great Wall in Jiayu Guan @
The wall was built as a fortress to protect the one remaining vulnerable entry point in a desert valley otherwise surrounded by mountains. Between the Great Wall and the harsh rocky mountains, this area of Jiayuguan was considered impenetrable, earning it the name of “The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven”.

Mogao Caves in Dunhuang on Mogaozhen
492 caves are presently preserved, housing about 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures.

Guangdong province [capital = Guangzhou]

Danxiashan in Shaoguan at N24 57 55.00 E113 42 12.00
The Danxia area is formed from a reddish sandstone which has been eroded over time into a series of outcrops surrounded by spectacular cliffs and many unusual rock formations known as Danxia landform. There are a number of temples located on the mountains and many scenic walks can be undertaken. There is also a river winding through the mountains on which boat trips can be taken.

Historic Centre of Macao see detail
With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. The site also contains a fortress and a lighthouse, the oldest in China.

Diaolou buildings in Kaiping see detail
These buildings take three forms: communal towers built by several families and used as temporary refuge, residential towers built by individual rich families and used as fortified residences, and watch towers. Built of stone, pise, brick or concrete, these buildings represent a complex and confident fusion between Chinese and Western architectural styles.

Guangxi province [capital = Nanning]

Karst Sections in Yangshuo + Guilin + Hechi
It contains the most significant types of karst landforms, including tower karst, pinnacle karst and cone karst formations, along with other spectacular characteristics such as natural bridges, gorges and large cave systems.

Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape in Qujiuzhen + Xiangshuizhen + Ningming
In a surrounding landscape of karst, rivers and plateaux, they depict ceremonies that have been interpreted as portraying the bronze drum culture once prevalent across southern China.

Guizhou province [capital = Guiyang]

Fanjingshan mountain in Tongren Shi at 508 County Road, Jiangkou Xian
It is an island of metamorphic rock in a sea of karst, home to many plant and animal species that originated in the Tertiary period, between 65 million and 2 million years ago.

Karst Section in Shibing at Wuyanghe National Park
The Shibing Karst component in Guizhou province includes dolomitic karst formations and is located within Wuyanghe National Park.

Hailongtun Tusi Fortress in Zunyi at Huichuan
The castle's architecture reflects its strategic importance. The city gates were flanked by archer’s towers.

Danxia in Chishui at N28 22 11.00 E105 47 39.00 + N28 25 19.00 E106 2 33.00
Because favorable natural conditions and few human activities, Chishui Danxia have developed and well preserved Cyathea National Nature Reserve, Zhuhai National Forest Park, Swallow Rock State Forest Park, Subtropical Evergreen Broadleaf Forest Nature Reserve. There are complete ecosystems with high rate coverage of forest and rich species. Chishui Danxia is mainly featured by high terrain, deep narrow valleys, red cliffs and flying waterfalls.

Hebei province [capital = Shijiazhuang]

Mountain in Wutai at Foguang Temple + Wutai Mountain
The cultural landscape is home to forty-one monasteries and includes the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, the highest surviving timber building of the Tang dynasty, with life-size clay sculptures. It also features the Ming dynasty Shuxiang Temple with a huge complex of 500 statues representing Buddhist stories woven into three-dimensional pictures of mountains and water.

Qing Tombs in Lianggezhuangzhen + Zunhua @
They are the largest, most complete, and best preserved extant mausoleum complex in China. Altogether, five emperors (Shunzhi, Kangxi, Qianlong, Xianfeng, and Tongzhi), 15 empresses, 136 imperial concubines, three princes, and two princesses of the Qing dynasty are buried here.

Mountain Resort in Chengde at Lizhengmen Street, Shuangqiao Qu
As an outstanding example of Chinese natural landscape gardens and palaces, it inherits and carries forward China's imperial gardening tradition. By integrating elements of Han, Mongolian and Tibetan architectural art and culture the Outlying Temples crystallize the achievements of cultural exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups in the course of development of Chinese architecture.

Shanhaiguan Great Wall near Qinhuangdao from Laolongtou to Jiaoshan
It is a major pass of the Great Wall, with strategic importance at its east coast beginning. 'Old Dragon's Head' is where the wall itself meets “the Pacific Ocean” at the Bohai Gulf.

Henan province [capital = Zhengzhou]

Archaeological Site of Yin Xu in Anyang on Yinxu Road, Yindu Qu
A number of royal tombs and palaces, prototypes of later Chinese architecture, have been unearthed on the site, including the Palace and Royal Ancestral Shrines Area, with more than 80 house foundations, and the only tomb of a member of the royal family of the Shang Dynasty to have remained intact, the Tomb of Fu Hao. The large number and superb craftsmanship of the burial accessories found there bear testimony to the advanced level of Shang crafts industry.

Historic Monuments in Dengfeng on Shaolin Avenue
At the foot of the 1500 metre high Songshang mountain, close to the city of Dengfeng in Henan province and spread over a 40 square-kilometre circle, stand eight clusters of buildings and sites, including three Han Que gates - remains of the oldest religious edifices in China -, temples, the Zhougong Sundial Platform and the Dengfeng Observatory.

Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang at 13 Long Men Zhong Jie, Luolong Qu
These contain almost 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles.

Hubei province [capital = Wuhan]

Xianling Imperial Tombs in Zhongxiang at N31 1 0.00 E112 39 0.00
It is the largest of the 18 Ming imperial tombs. Built in 1520 and completed 20 years later, the mausoleum belonged to Zhu Youyuan, the father of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and his mother, surnamed Jiang.

Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains in Danjiangkou at N32 28 0.012 E111 0 0
53 ancient buildings and 9 architectural sites survive, including the Golden Shrine and the Ancient Bronze Shrine, which are prefabricated buildings in bronze made in 1307; the stone-walled Forbidden City of 1419; Purple Heaven Palace built originally in the 12th century, rebuilt in the 15th century and extended in the 19th century; the Nanyang Palace of the 12th and 13thcenturies; the Fuzhen Temple of the 15th and 17th centuries and the stone Zhishi-Xuanyue Gateway built to mark the entrance to the Wudang Mountains in 1522.

Shennongjia geopark in Shennongjialin at Laojunshan + Shennongding
It protects the largest primary forests remaining in Central China and provides habitat for many rare animal species, such as the Chinese Giant Salamander, the Golden or Sichuan Snub-nosed Monkey, the Clouded Leopard, Common Leopard and the Asian Black Bear.

Tangya Tusi Domain in Enshi at Xianfeng Xian
Cultural landscapes can be found all over Tangya Tusi Ancient City, with dozens of scenic spots such as large stone carvings like stone human statues, horses and memorial archways, Tuwang Tombs, ancient burial complex, Husband and Wife Trees and Queen Spring.

Hunan province [capital = Changsha]

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area in Zhangjiajie @
A spectacular area stretching over more than 26,000 ha in China's Hunan Province, the site is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 m high. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, some 40 caves, and two large natural bridges.

Tusi Domain in Laosicheng at Yongshun
The relics unearthed included the Hall of Patriarch, Patriarch Temple of the Peng clan, the tombs of Tusi chieftains, ancient streets, ancient city walls, memorial arches, bronze bells and stone horses.

Langshan Mountain Scenic Attractions Area in Shaoyang at Xinning Xian
Langshan Mountain is covered by dense vegetation, with clear streams flowing through, which have attracted a great number of animals. The whole area is divided into five parts called Purple Glow Land, Fuyi River, Camel Peak, Ox Nose Castle and Octagonal Castle, respectively.

Inner Mongolia province [capital = Hohhot]

Xanadu in Zhenglanqi at N42 21 28.8 E116 11 6.46
It features the remains of the city, including temples, palaces, tombs, nomadic encampments and the Tiefan'gang Canal, along with other waterworks.

Jiangsu province [capital = Nanjing]

Yancheng National Nature Reserve in Yancheng Shi at 331 y Sheyang
These mudflats, as well as marshes and shoals, are exceptionally productive and serve as growth areas for many species of fish and crustaceans. The intertidal areas of the Yellow Sea/Gulf of Bohai are of global importance for the gathering of many migratory bird species that use the East Asian-Australasian flyway.

Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in Yancheng Shi at Dafeng Qu
See above.

Tombs in Nanjing see detail
The harmonious integration of remarkable architectural groups in a natural environment chosen to meet the criteria of geomancy (Fengshui) makes the Ming and Qing Imperial Tombs masterpieces of human creative genius.

Jiangnan canal in Changzhou at Guan He Dong Lu Shang Quan, Tianning Qu
Since two thousand years ago, the ancient canal has formed the specific features and cultural characteristics of Changzhou, which is a city owning pink wall and black tile, a small bridge over the flowing stream, plowing people and people living along the river.

Classical Gardens in Suzhou see detail
These garden ensembles of buildings, rock formations, calligraphy, furniture, and decorative artistic pieces serve as showcases of the paramount artistic achievements of the East Yangtze Delta region; they are in essence the embodiment of the connotations of traditional Chinese culture.

Jiangxi province [capital = Nanchang]

Mountains in Jinggangshan + Longushan + Guifeng
It is characterised by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls.

Mount Sanqingshan National Park in Yushan on Shanqingshan avenue
Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a 22,950 ha property located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province (in the east of central China) has been inscribed for its exceptional scenic quality, marked by the concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks: 48 granite peaks and 89 granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes.

Lushan National Park in Jiujang at Lushan Qu
More than 200 historic buildings are located in the Lushan National Park; complexes of prayer halls that have been rebuilt and extended many times to create an ongoing centre for study and religion. These include the Buddhist East Grove Temple complex begun by Huiyuan in 386 CE; the West Grove Pagoda begun around 730 CE; the Temple of Simplicity and Tranquility built during the Tang dynasty as the repository of Taoist scriptures, and the White Deer Cave Academy originally established in 940 CE and revived in the late 12th century during the Song dynasty when Zhu Xi instigated the spread of Confucius' political and ethical teaching. This complex continued to be extended up to the 19th century to include many temples, study halls and libraries. Other important features include the stone single-span Guan Ying Bridge of 1,015 CE and more than 900 inscriptions on cliffs and stone tablets.

Jilin province [capital = Changchun]

Ancient Koguryo Kingdom in Ji'an at Wandu Mountain + 3333 Shancheng Road + Manpo + Changchuancun
Hwando (Korean) or Wandu (Chinese), was a mountain fortress of the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo, built to protect Goguryeo's second capital, Gungnae, in the present-day province of Jilin, China.

Liaoning province [capital = Shenyang]

Mountain City of Wunv Mountain in Benxi at Wunvshan Road, Huanren Manzuzizhixian
Wunu Shan has all the elements of a defensive city wall: temple, palace, barn, barracks, water source, and a city wall of more than 200 metres above sea level. Therefore, the Goguryeo kingdom could quarter at the mountain for extended periods in the cold weapon era.

Imperial Palace in Shenyang at 171 Shenyang Road
The Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty in Shenyang while following the traditions of palace construction in China retains typical features of traditional folk residences of the Manchu people, and has integrated the architectural arts of Han, Manchu and Mongolian ethnic cultures.

Zhaoling Tomb in Shenyang at Huanggu Qu
Zhaoling Tomb, together with Fuling Tomb in Shenyang and Yongling Tomb in Xinbin are called the Three Mausoleums of the strategic pass (referring to the area between the east of Shanhaiguan Pass and the west of Jiayuguan Pass). Zhaoling is the largest and most magnificent.

Fuling Tomb in Shenyang at 210 Dongling Road
The mausoleum is an extensive architectural complex that consist of stone archway, main red gate, sacred way, cloud pillars, stone animals, a 108-step stone staircase, the Shengong Shengde Stele Pavilion, the washing room, the fruit room, the tea room, the waiting room, Long'en Gate, Long'en Hall, eastern and western side-halls, silk burning pavilion, Lingxing Gate, the five stone sacrifice utensils, Ming pavilion, and Treasure City.

Yongling Tomb in Xinbinzen at Yongling Tomb Toll Gate
There are four monuments erected in a row behind the entrance, with each housing one of the four memorial stone tablets of the four ancestors of the Qing Dynasty, namely the "Yuan Emperor of Zhaozu", "Zhi Emperor of Xingzu", "Yi Emperor of Jingzu" and "Xuan Emperor of Xianzu".

Qinghai province [capital = Xining]

Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve in Golmud at Jianxing Alley
This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 m above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round. The site's geographical and climatic conditions have nurtured a unique biodiversity. More than one third of the plant species, and all the herbivorous mammals are endemic to the plateau.

Shaanxi province [capital = Xi'an]

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum in Xi'an at Lintong Qu
Nearly 200 accompanying pits containing thousands of life-size terra cotta soldiers, terra cotta horses and bronze chariots and weapons - a world-renowned discovery - together with burial tombs and architectural remains total over 600 sites within the property area of 56.25 square kilometers.

Weiyang Palace in Xi'an at Weiyang Qu
This was the largest palace ever built on Earth, covering 4.8 km² (1,200 acres), which is 6.7 times the size of the current Forbidden City, or 11 times the size of the Vatican City.

Shandong province [capital = Jinan]

Museum of Grand Canal in Liaocheng at Dongchang Lake Scenic Area, Liaotang Road
Liaocheng was influenced by the canal culture long ago and the museum shows the historical function and culture of the Grand Canal. China is one of first countries to use canals and has one of the greatest projects in the world - the Grand Canal.

Taishan Mountain in Tai'an at N36 16 0.012 E117 5 60
On the mountain there are 12 historically recorded imperial ceremonies in homage to Heaven and Earth, about 1,800 stone tablets and inscriptions, and 22 temples, which together make Mount Taishan the most important monument in China, a world-renowned treasure house of history and culture.

Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family in Qufu at N35 36 42.012 E116 58 30
Since 1994, the Temple of Confucius has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two other parts of the site are the nearby Kong Family Mansion, where the main-line descendants of Confucius lived, and the Cemetery of Confucius a couple kilometers to the north, where Confucius and many of his descendants have been buried. Those three sites are collectively known in Qufu as San Kong, i.e. "The Three Confucian sites".

Shanxi province [capital = Taiyuan]

Yungang Grottoes in Datong at Nanjiao Qu
Comprising 252 caves and niches and 51,000 statues within a carved area of 18,000 square meters, the Yungang Grottoes represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China.

Ancient City of Pingyao at Zhen Guo Temple + walled city + Shuang Lin Temple
Located in Ping Yao County, central Shanxi Province, the property includes three parts: the entire area within the walls of Ping Yao, Shuanglin Temple 6 kilometers southwest of the county seat, and Zhenguo Temple 12 kilometers northeast of the county seat.

Sichuan province [capital = Chengdu]

Emei Mountain in Emeishan + Shizhong @
The first Buddhist temple in China was built on the summit of Mount Emei in the 1st century CE. It became the Guangxiang Temple, receiving its present royal name of Huazang in 1614. The addition of more than 30 other temples including the Wannian Temple founded in the 4th century containing the 7.85m high Puxian bronze Buddha of the 10th century, and garden temples including the Qingyin Pavilion complex of pavilions, towers and platforms dating from the early 6th century; the early 17th century Baoguo Temple and the Ligou Garden (Fuhu Temple) turned the mountain into one of Buddhism's holiest sites. The most remarkable manifestation of this is the 71 meter tall Giant Buddha of Leshan. Carved in the 8th century CE on the hillside of Xijuo Peak overlooking the confluence of three rivers, it is the largest Buddhist sculpture in the world. A contemporary account of the creation of the Giant Buddha is preserved in the form of an inscribed tablet. Associated monuments include the 9th century Lingbao Pagoda and the Dafo (Giant Buddha) Temple dating from the early Qing Dynasty. The Wuyu Temple contains two important statues: the 9th century Dashi bronze Buddha and the 11th century Amithabha statue group, cast in iron and gilded. Over five hundred Han Dynasty tombs of the 1st to 4th centuries, notable for their fine carvings and calligraphic inscriptions are located on Mahao Crag.

Giant Panda Sanctuaries in Dujiangyan at Wolong National Nature Reserve
The sanctuaries constitute the largest remaining contiguous habitat of the giant panda, a relict from the paleo-tropic forests of the Tertiary Era. It is also the species' most important site for captive breeding. The sanctuaries are home to other globally endangered animals such as the red panda, the snow leopard and clouded leopard.

Mount Qingcheng in Dujiangyan @
The eleven important Taoist temples on the mountain reflect the traditional architecture of western Sichuan and include the Erwang Temple, the Fulong Temple, the Changdao Temple built over the place where Zhang Ling preached his doctrines, and the Jianfu Palace (formerly the Zhangren Temple)

Irrigation System in Dujiangyan @
Three key components of the Weir Works control the water from the upper valley of the Minjiang River: the Yuzui Bypass Dike, the Feishayan Floodgate, and the Baopingkou Diversion Passage. Together with ancillary embankments and watercourses including the Baizhang Dike, the Erwang Temple Watercourse and the V-Shaped Dike, these structures ensure a regular supply of water to the Chengdu plains.

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area in Songpan at Pingsong Road
Situated in the north-west of Sichuan Province, the Huanglong valley with its series of travertine lakes, waterfalls, forests and mountain scenery is a superlative natural property. Topped by permanently snow-capped peaks rising from a base of 1,700 m up to 5,588 m, these include the easternmost glacier in China. Covering 60,000 ha, this area located within the Minshan Mountains also includes spectacular limestone formations and hot springs.

Scenic and Historic Interest Area in Jiuzhaigou Valley at Jiuzhaigou Xian
Its superb landscapes are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst land forms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species also inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda and the Sichuan takin.

Tibet province [capital = Lhasa]

Historic Ensemble in Lhasa at Norbulingka Palace + Potala Palace + Jokhang Temple Monastery
The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of 3,700m. Also founded in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Tibetan art.

Xinjiang province [capital = Urumqi]

Tianshan in Bogda + Kalajun + Bayinbukuke + Tomur
Xinjiang Tianshan presents unique physical geographic features and scenically beautiful areas including spectacular snow and snowy mountains glacier-capped peaks, undisturbed forests and meadows, clear rivers and lakes and red bed canyons. These landscapes contrast with the vast adjacent desert landscapes, creating a striking visual contrast between hot and cold environments, dry and wet, desolate and luxuriant.

Yunnan province [capital = Kunming]

Three Parallel Rivers National Park in Lijlang on S223
The 1.7 million hectare site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of Asia: the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong and Salween which run approximately parallel, north to south, through steep gorges which, in places, are 3,000 m deep and are bordered by glaciated peaks more than 6,000 m high.

Old Town of Lijiang at Baisha Village + Shuhe Town + Dayan Town (+ Heilongtan Park)
The Old Town of Lijiang comprises three component parts: Dayan Old Town (including the Black Dragon Pond), Baisha and Shuhe housing clusters.

Fossil Site in Chengjiang at East Coast of Fuxian Lake
The rocks and fossils of the Chengjiang Fossil Site present an outstanding and extraordinarily preserved record that testifies to the rapid diversification of life on Earth during the early Cambrian period, 530 million years before present. In this geologically short interval, almost all major groups of animals had their origins.

Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang at Bada + Duoyishu + Laohuzui
Red rice is produced on the basis of a complex and integrated farming and breeding system involving buffalos, cattle, ducks, fish and eels. This system is under pinned by long-standing traditional social and religious structures, based on symbiotic relationships between plants and animals that reinforce communal obligations and the sacredness of nature and reflect a duality of approach between the individual and the community, and between people and gods, one reinforcing the other.

Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er at N22 11 3 E100 0 27
Located on Jingmai Mountain in southwestern China, this cultural landscape was developed over a thousand years by the Blang and Dai peoples following practices that began in the 10th century. The property is a tea production area comprised of traditional villages within old tea groves surrounded by forests and tea plantations.

Zhejiang province [capital = Hangzhou]

West Lake Cultural Landscape in Hangzhou at Sudi
It comprises numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens and ornamental trees, as well as causeways and artificial islands.

Grand Canal in Hangzhou at Dayunhe Gongchen Bridge, Bannong Street
Starting at Beijing in the north, it passes through Tianjin and other four present-day provinces to the city of Hangzhou in the south, linking five of China’s major rivers, including the Yellow River and Yangtze River.

Archaeological Ruins in Liangzhu at 1 Meilizhou Road
The property is composed of four areas – the Area of Yaoshan Site, the Area of High-dam at the Mouth of the Valley, the Area of Low-dam on the Plain and the Area of City Site. These ruins are an outstanding example of early urban civilization expressed in earthen monuments, urban planning, a water conservation system and a social hierarchy expressed in differentiated burials in cemeteries within the property.