The selected locations must meet strict criteria and have important cultural, historical and geographical significance to humanity.
Currently, China and Italy are the two countries with the most heritage sites in the world.
Now, let’s take a look at some outstanding places on the list with ELLE.
Babylon (Iraq)
Photo: Unusual Traveler
This is one of the places that preserves the ancient culture of Neo-Babylon, an influential empire in history.
Currently, this site has been partially destroyed, with only the walls, gates, palaces, and temples of the ancient city remaining, and is classified by UNESCO as `in extremely vulnerable conditions`.
Jaipur city (India)
Photo: Chaput Adrien
Jaipur city is also known as the Pink City.
It must be said that this place has a wonderful architecture because of the harmonious interweaving of Eastern and Western traces of the late Middle Ages.
Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland)
Photo: CNN
The volcanic area in this national park covers an area of 1.4 million hectares, accounting for nearly 14% of Iceland’s territory.
Thanks to the unique geographical structure and interaction between volcanoes, this area has extremely special terrain.
Hyrcanian Forest System (Iran)
Photo: iGoPersia
This broadleaf forest stretches 850 km, has an area of more than 55,000 km2, located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
Currently, the Hyrcanian is a habitat for 180 species of birds, 58 species of mammals, including the Persian leopard, and rare plants.
Migratory bird sanctuary (China)
Photo: Xinhua/Li Bo)
The marshy area on the Yellow Sea coast, Bohai Bay is recognized as a world heritage site with the flight path of migratory birds.
Archaeological relics in Liangzhu city (China)
Photo: De Gruyter
The Liangzhu site was discovered in 1936 in Liangzhu town, Yu county, Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, and is a Late Neolithic archaeological culture that existed from 3300 to 2200 BC.
This is home to the largest and oldest irrigation system in the world, with an estimated age of up to 5,400 years.
Prosecco vineyard (Italy)
Photo: CNN
The northeastern region of the boot-shaped country has become known for its wonderful vineyards.
Plain of Jars (Laos)
Photo: CNN
Located in Xiengkhuang province in Central Laos, until now, this place is still a mystery to researchers.
According to UNESCO, the field has 2,100 stone jars, many stone plates and tombstones dating from 500 BC to 500 AD.
Ancient capital Bagan (Myanmar)
Photo: CNN
The ancient capital of Myanmar is an ideal tourist destination for those who want to make a pilgrimage to ancient temples.
Although the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016 damaged more than 200 temples, this place still retains its distinct spiritual values.
Seowon ancient library system (Korea)
Photo: The Asian
In Korean, Seowon is understood as study room.
Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary (Portugal)
Photo: Pinterest
This ancient chapel, more than 600 years old, was built in Baroque style.
Sheki Historical Center with Khan’s Palace (Azerbaijan)
Photo: Pulika
This world monument, rebuilt in 1797, is located at the foot of the Greater Caucasus mountain, Sheki and is characterized by traditional architecture including houses with high gabled roofs.
Mounds at Dilmun (Bahrain)
Photo: The National
The burial mounds of the dead stretch across 21 archaeological sites with 11,000 mounds, including 17 two-story mounds for the Royal Family.
UNESCO also added: “These tombs show unique features, not only in terms of number, density and scale, but also in details such as burial chambers equipped with wall niches.”
List of 29 places recognized by UNESCO as new world heritage sites:
Australia: Budj Bim Aboriginal Cultural Site
Azerbaijan: Sheki historical center with Khan palace
Bahrain: Dilmun burial mounds
Brazil: Paraty and Ilha Grande Cultural and Biodiversity Site
Burkina Faso: Ancient metallurgical site in Burkina Faso
Canada: Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai’pi Park
China: Archaeological relics in Liangzhu city and migratory bird route in Bohai Bay, Yellow Sea
Czech Republic: Ceremonial Carriage Horses breeding and training facility in Kladruby nad Labem
Czech Republic/Germany: Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mine
France: French Southern and Antarctic lands
Germany: Water management system in Augsburg
Iceland: Vatnajökull National Park
India: City Jaipur
Indonesia: Ombilin coal mine ruins near Sawahlunto
Iran: Hyrcanian Forest
Iraq: Babylon
Italy: Vine hills of Prosecco di Conegliano a Valdobbiadene
Japan: Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Ancient Japanese Tombs
Korea: Seowon ancient library system
Laos: Plain of Jars
Myanmar: The ancient capital of Bagan
Poland: Ancient mining site Krzemionki
Portugal: Mafra Palace with hunting garden and Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary
Russian Federation: Churches of Pskov School of Architecture
Spain: Risco Kaido and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Site
UK: Jodrell Bank Observatory
USA: Frank Lloyde Wright’s twentieth-century structures
