World
Heritage Sites in China
The World Heritage List was established to protection of the World Cultural
and Natural Heritage in November 1972 at the 17th General Conference of
UNESCO.
China started to submit to The World Heritage List in 1987. As of July
2004, among the 788 World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO in 134 state
parties, China has 30, ranking the third in the world. These Heritage sites
include the most key regions of China's precious and opulent tourism assets.
Some of the sights are mention down here--
The Great Wall
Located in northern China, the Great Wall is a colossal wall well extended
up to 2000 miles from Jiuquan in the West towards the sea near Shanhaiguan
in the East. The wall was completed in 204 BC with a height of 15 to 20 feet
and thickness of 15 to 25 feet. One of the unique masterpieces of the world
and is also included in the Seven Wonders of the World.
Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Located in the center of Beijing, the Imperial Palace is also known as the
Forbidden City and is included in the World Heritage Site. It is extended
over and area of 150,000 square miles and is embellished with more then 9000
rooms. It is the biggest palace structure in the world.
Mount Taishan
More then 112 peaks bedeck Mount Taishan. The most leading among them is
Jade Emperor's Peak, in addition the peak also houses 22 temples, 97 ruins,
819 stone tablets, and over 1000 stone inscriptions. This mountain is
considered as a symbol of heaven for over 3000 years and the personal
pilgrimages of the emperors for over 2000 years.
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emporer
Qin Shi Huang was the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty who ruled during 259
to 210 BC. He is famous for his mausoleum of terracotta figures whose
construction was begun when he was 13 years old and took about 700,000
laborers and 36 years in its completion.
Mogao Caves
Mogao Grottoes is a cluster of Buddhist cave temples near Dunhuang with
well preserved frescoes from the 4th to 8th centuries AD.
One of the more famous caves is Cave 17, a small cave inside of Cave 16
where the famous stash of manuscripts were sealed up and unveiled by a monk.
He sold off much of the collection to Sir Aurel Stein including the oldest
dated printed book in existence -The Diamond Sutra, 868 AD.
Mount Huangshan
The Lotus Flower Peak is the most famous of the many peaks on Mount
Huangshan. Gratifying rock development, resembling different types of
animals and mythical figures combined with swinging clouds, definitely is
one of the mot captivating sight.
Potala Palace, Lhasa
Potala Palace is 3,700m above the sea level crowning over a hilltop of
Hongshan Mountain in Lhasa- the capital city of the ‘Tibet Autonomous
Region’. It is one of the greatest specimens of Tibetan architecture.
Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family
Mansion in Qufu
This complex located at Qufu in Shandong Province contains the temple,
cemetery and family mansion of Confucius, philosopher, politician and
educator, of the 6th & 5th centuries BC. The cemetery contains
Confucius' tomb and the remains of more than 100,000 of his descendants.
Mt. Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
Leshan Grand Buddha (Da Fo) is the largest Buddha in the world. It was
built by a monk called Haitong in 713. The statue has been damaged and had
gone under tremendous weathering over the years. The continuos repair work
has been done over the statue to keep it in its present form, still there is
a great deal of destruction by weather taking place and officials are
worried about its likely breakdown.
