| Mount Taishan | | Shandong | 1987 | 437; i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii (mixed) | Mount Tai is the most important of the five Sacred Mountains of China. It is a giant rock mass covered with dense vegetation, towering over a surrounding plateau. Its natural beauty has inspired people for millennia. It was a site of the imperial cult for over 2,000 years, with emperors themselves performing Feng Shan sacrifices. There are numerous temples, stelae, and stone inscriptions on the mountain slopes, both Buddhist and Taoist. The mountain is connected with a series of historical events of China, including the emergence of Confucianism, the unification of the country under the Qin dynasty, and the emergence of writing and literature. |
| The Great Wall | | Beijing, Hebei, Gansu | 1987 | 438; i, ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | The Great Wall is a series of fortifications in northern China with a total length of over 20,000 km (12,000 mi). Construction of the Wall, intended as a defense against the invaders from the north, begun in the 3rd century BCE under the Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who connected earlier existing sections. Work on the Great Wall continued until the 17th century under the Ming dynasty. The Wall comprises fortresses, watchtowers, passes, and shelters along the way. It has featured prominently in literature for centuries. Three sections of the wall are listed: the terminuses at Jiayuguan City and Shanhai Pass, and the Badaling section (pictured) near Beijing. |
Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang | Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang | | Beijing, Liaoning | 1987 | 439bis; i, ii, iii, iv (cultural) | The Forbidden City in Beijing (the Hall of Supreme Harmony pictured) was the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1416 to 1911. The palaces in Beijing and Shenyang, where the Mukden Palace was added to the site in 2004, represent the development of palatial architecture in China and the fusion of Han, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultures and influences, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries. The palace complexes are filled with works of art and also demonstrate the traditions of shamanism practiced by the Manchu. |
| Mogao Caves | | Gansu | 1987 | 440; i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi (cultural) | The caves in the Dunhuang oasis contain an outstanding collection of Buddhist art spanning from the 4th to 14th centuries. They reflect cultural exchanges between China, India, and Central Asia, as well as the art of various ethnic minorities of China. They also provide insight into the life and culture of the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. From the end of the 19th century until 1930, the caves were occupied by Buddhist monks. The Dunhuang manuscripts, one of the most famous finds, were discovered in one of the caves in 1900. |
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor | Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor | | Shaanxi | 1987 | 441; i, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | The mausoleum was constructed for Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty, the first Emperor of China and unifier of the country, who died in 210 BCE. The massive mausoleum comprises the grave mound with a height above 50 m (160 ft) and numerous accompanying pits with funerary objects. Of these, the most famous is the Terracotta Army (pictured), thousands of life-sized and realistic terracotta statues of warriors, as well as horses and chariots. The site was discovered in 1974. |
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian | Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian | | Beijing | 1987 | 449; iii, vi (cultural) | Zhoukoudian (entrance pictured) is an archaeological site with limestone caves that preserved remains of ancient humans, tools, and animals from the Pleistocene. Excavations have been going on since the early 20th century. The finds include the so-called Peking Man, a subspecies of Homo erectus who lived 700,000 to 200,000 years ago, archaic Homo sapiens from about 200,000 to 100,000 years ago, and modern humans dating back to 30,000 years ago. They provide an important insight into the human evolution and the life of human communities in Asia. |
| Mount Huangshan | | Anhui | 1990 | 547bis; ii, vii, x (mixed) | Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, is a granite mountain range with numerous peaks, boulders, caves, waterfalls, and rock formations. It has ancient pine trees and is home to rich assemblies of bryophytes and ferns. There are several endemic plant species. The scenic landscape of the mountain has been inspiring the Chinese imagination since at least the time of the Tang dynasty of the 8th century. It has featured in poems and paintings, having a school of painting named after it. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2012. |
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area | Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area | | Sichuan | 1992 | 637; vii (natural) | The valley is surrounded by jagged mountain peaks reaching up to 4,800 m (15,700 ft) high. There are numerous karst features, including caves, limestone terraces, as well as pools and waterfalls, resulting in a scenic beauty. The valley has a series of diverse forest ecosystems that are home to some 140 bird species, the giant panda, and Sichuan takin. |
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area | Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area | | Sichuan | 1992 | 638; vii (natural) | The mountain landscape has glaciers, diverse forest ecosystems, waterfalls, and karst formations. A special feature is a series of travertine terraces and lakes (pictured). The area is home to the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey. |
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area | Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area | | Hunan | 1992 | 640; vii (natural) | The defining feature of the landscape is a collection of more than 3,000 quartz sandstone pillars and peaks, some of which are more than 200 m (660 ft) tall. Other interesting landforms include karst caves with calcite deposits, gorges, ravines, pools, waterfalls, and two large natural stone bridges. The area is home to the Asian black bear, dhole, and water deer. |
Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde | Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde | | Hebei | 1994 | 703; ii, iv (cultural) | The resort was built in the 18th century as the summer palace for the Qing dynasty emperors. At the same time it functioned as a base to strengthen administration in the border regions. The palaces, temples, and gardens are designed to be integrated harmoniously with the natural environment, following the principles of feng shui. Several temples are in the styles of ethnic minorities of the empire. The Putuo Zongcheng Temple in the Tibetan style is pictured. |
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu | Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu | | Shandong | 1994 | 704; i, iv, vi (cultural) | Qufu was the birthplace of Confucius, a great Chinese philosopher, educator, and politician, who died in the 5th century BCE. His teachings, known as Confucianism, were greatly influential in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, as well as in the 18th century Europe during the Age of Enlightenment. The temple was originally built in 478 BCE and was rebuilt and expanded over centuries. The continuous support of the emperors meant that the finest artisans worked on the complex which includes the Temple of Confucius (pictured), the Kong Family Mansion, and the Cemetery of Confucius where he and more than 100,000 of his descendants are buried. |
Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains | Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains | | Hubei | 1994 | 705; i, ii, vi (cultural) | The religious complex in the Wudang Mountains was established as a centre for Taoism under the Tang dynasty in the 7th century. It reached its peak under the Ming dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries. Today, the complex preserves 53 palaces, temples, and shrines in nine different architectural styles, including those from the Yuan and Qing dynasties. The buildings represent the highest architectural and artistic standards of China through centuries and were influential in the development of public and religious architecture in the country. The Purple Cloud Temple is pictured. |
Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa | Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa | | Tibet | 1994 | 707ter; i, iv, vi (cultural) | The palace (pictured) in Lhasa served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas from the 7th century. It represents the role that Tibetan Buddhism had in the administration and governance of the Tibetan society. The vast palace is filled with works of art, including murals, painted scrolls, sculptures, and porcelain, and has a collection of important historic documents. In 2000 and 2001, respectively, the site was expanded to include the Jokhang temple monastery from the 7th century and Norbulingka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas from the 18th century. |
| Lushan National Park | | Jiangxi | 1996 | 778; ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | The cultural landscape around Mount Lu and Poyang Lake has been inspiring philosophers and artists for more than two millennia and was the cultural centre of southern China. There are more than 200 historic buildings in the national park, including Buddhist and Taoist temples and sites of Confucianist teachings, in particular the White Deer Grotto Academy. The stone arch Guanyin Bridge from the Song dynasty is important in the history of Chinese civil engineering. |
Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area | Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area | | Sichuan | 1996 | 779; iv, vi, x (mixed) | Mount Emei is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. It is the site of the first Buddhist temple in China, constructed when the religion was introduced from India via the Silk Road in the 1st century CE. Today, there are over 30 temples from different periods on the mountain, as well as several important monuments. The best known is the Leshan Giant Buddha (pictured), a 71 m (233 ft) tall statue carved in stone in the 8th century. The mountain is also important for its animal and plant biodiversity, with forest types spanning from subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest at the bottom to subalpine conifer forest at the highest elevations. |
| Old Town of Lijiang | | Yunnan | 1997 | 811bis; ii, iv, v (cultural) | Located on the meeting point between the Silk Road and the ancient Tea Horse Road, Lijiang was an important trade centre between Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet from the 12th century onward. It was a meeting point of Han, Nakhi, Bai, and Tibetan people and other communities, which is reflected in particular local architecture, urban planning, and traditions. The city also demonstrates a harmonious coexistence of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. A prominent feature of the city is its traditional water supply system, with waters from the mountains being collected in the Black Dragon Pool. They are then distributed through a series of canals and channels. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2012. |
| Ancient City of Ping Yao | | Shanxi | 1997 | 812; ii, iii, iv (cultural) | The city of Pingyao was founded under the Ming dynasty in the 14th century. The city centre (market tower pictured) is a well-preserved example of a Han Chinese traditional city and it demonstrates the evolution of architectural styles under the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was the major banking centre of the country. In addition to the old city centre, two temples are listed as well, the Zhenguo Temple and the Shuanglin Temple. Both are important due to their architecture and art collections. |
Classical Gardens of Suzhou | Classical Gardens of Suzhou | | Jiangsu | 1997 | 813bis i, ii, iii, iv, v (cultural) | The design of Chinese gardens has been developing for more than two millennia. The gardens in the city of Suzhou demonstrate some of the finest examples of the form, including water features, rock formations, pavilions, bridges, and meticulously arranged plants, designed to create harmonious and miniature landscapes that reflect the natural world. Out of more than fifty such gardens in the city, four were listed in 1997, and a further five were added in 2000. They date between the 11th and 19th centuries. The Humble Administrator's Garden is pictured. |
Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing | Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing | | Beijing | 1998 | 880; i, ii, iii (cultural) | The palace was conceived next to the Kunming Lake in Beijing in the mid-18th century under the Qing Qianlong Emperor. It is a prominent example of a Chinese garden, with water features, pavilions, temples, and bridges. It had an important influence on subsequent garden designs. It was destroyed during the Second Opium War in 1860, restored in 1888, again damaged during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, restored, and has been a public park since 1924. |
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing | Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing | | Beijing | 1998 | 881; i, ii, iii (cultural) | The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is the most representative of the sacrificial buildings in China. Its design and symbolic layout had an important influence on subsequent buildings. The original temple was constructed in 1420 under the Ming dynasty, together with the Forbidden City. The current layout dates to 1749, following a renovation under the Qing dynasty. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, where the emperors offered sacrifice to Heaven for abundant harvests, is pictured. |
| Mount Wuyi | | Fujian | 1999 | 911bis; ii, vi, vii, x (mixed) | The area of Mount Wuyi preserves the largest mainly intact examples of subtropical and rainforests in China. The forests are rich in biodiversity and home to several relict species. Along the Nine Bend River (pictured), there are high cliffs and sandstone rock formations. There is an archaeological site of a Han dynasty administrative capital from the 1st century BCE. There are also several temples and Confucianist learning centres that were associated with the development of the Neo-Confucianist philosophy in the 11th century. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2017. |
| Dazu Rock Carvings | | Chongqing | 1999 | 912: i, ii, iii (cultural) | This site comprises five clusters with rock reliefs near the city of Chongqing. They date from the 9th to the 13th centuries and depict Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist motifs, side by side. This demonstrates the harmonious coexistence of these three religions in China. There are also secular motifs. The carvings represent the pinnacle of Chinese rock art. The group at Mount Baoding is pictured. |
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System | Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System | | Sichuan | 2000 | 1001; ii, iv, vi (cultural) | Mount Qingcheng is the site where the philosopher Zhang Daoling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism in the 2nd century BCE. There are 11 important Taoist temples (entrance to one of the temples pictured) on the mountain slopes, dating to different periods. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System was originally constructed in the 3rd century BCE to control flooding and to irrigate farmland, without the use of dams. It demonstrates the advanced technological stage of ancient China. The system was modified and enlarged in the following centuries. |
Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun | Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun | | Anhui | 2000 | 1002; iii, iv, v (cultural) | These two villages (Hongcun pictured) represent typical villages of Anhui as they were between the 14th and 20th centuries, a type of settlement that has largely disappeared. The villages were developed by successful officials or merchants returning home after assignments. The layout and the buildings reflect the social structure of feudal China and its values based on Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism. |
| Longmen Grottoes | | Henan | 2000 | 1003; i, ii, iii (cultural) | The grottoes carved into the sandstone cliffs along the Yi River near the ancient capital of Luoyang contain a vast collection of Buddhist rock carvings and statues. Most date to the late Northern Wei and early Tang dynasties, between the 5th and mid-8th centuries. They represent a high point of Chinese rock art and were influential in the development of sculptural art in the wider region. |
Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties | Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties | | Beijing, Liaoning, Jiangsu | 2000 | 1004ter; i, ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | This site comprises 14 tombs or tomb clusters belonging to the emperors of the last two Chinese dynasties, the Ming and Qing, who ruled between the 14th and 20th centuries. The basic design of the tombs, in line with the feng shui principles, was established with the Xiao Mausoleum (pictured), the tomb of the first Ming emperor. The Qing rulers kept the Ming design and added new elements from the Manchurian culture. The tombs have a sacred way lined with stone sculptures and monuments, where the ceremonies were held. Three properties were listed in 2000, with further tombs added in 2003 and 2004. |
| Yungang Grottoes | | Shanxi | 2001 | 1039; i, ii, iii, iv (cultural) | The grottoes with Buddhist sculptures are an outstanding example of Chinese rock-cut architecture. They date to the mid-5th and early 6th centuries during the Northern Wei dynasty. There are 252 caves with over 50,000 statues. They show influences of South and Central Asian art but with Chinese traditions. The grottoes were important in the development of Buddhist art in China. |
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas | Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas | | Yunnan | 2003 | 1083bis; vii, viii, ix, x (natural) | In the mountains of Yunnan, the upper streams of three major Asian rivers, the Yangtze, Mekong, and Salween, run roughly parallel through steep gorges. The mountainous area was created in the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate in the last 50 million years. There are mountains reaching above 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in height, glaciers, alpine karst, and danxia landforms. Located at the meeting point of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Tibetan Plateau, and with habitats at various elevations, the area is a biodiversity hotspot and one of the most species-rich area in the temperate zone. The Tiger Leaping Gorge along the Yangtze River is pictured. A minor boundary modification of the site took place in 2010. |
Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom | Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom | | Jilin | 2004 | 1135; i, ii, iii, iv, v (cultural) | The Koguryo or Goguryeo kingdom ruled over parts of northern China and the northern half of the Korean Peninsula from 277 BCE to 668 CE. This site comprises three archaeological sites, the Wunü Mountain City, Gungnae, and Hwando, which served as capitals during the early and middle periods of the kingdom, until the capital was moved to Pyongyang in 427 CE. There are several tombs of royals and nobles (the Tomb of the General pictured). The paintings and inscriptions in the burial chambers indicate the influence of the Chinese culture on the Koguryo, who did not develop independent writing. The scenes depict daily life, sports, hunting, and mythological motifs. |
| Historic Centre of Macao | | Macau | 2005 | 1110; ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | Macau was founded as a Portuguese port in the 16th century and returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. The city played an important role in trade and cultural exchange between China and the West. There are numerous historic buildings in the city, with European and Chinese ones standing side by side. Macau saw the introduction of some of the first western-style buildings to China, such as a theatre, churches, fortresses, a university, and a hospital. The Ruins of Saint Paul's, the remains of a Baroque church, are pictured. |
| Yin Xu | | Henan | 2006 | 1114; ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | The archaeological site of Yinxu, near modern Anyang, was the capital city of the late Shang dynasty, from the 14th to the 11th centuries BCE. Excavations uncovered remains of a palace and of numerous houses, as well as royal and other tombs. The artifacts found include ritual bronzes (a replica pictured) which illustrate the high sophistication of the Shang culture, and large collections of oracle bones, the earliest evidence of systematic written Chinese. |
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains | Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains | | Sichuan | 2006 | 1213; x (natural) | This site comprises seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks that cover most of the last remaining contiguous habitat of the giant panda (a cub pictured). In view of biodiversity, the area is one of the richest in the world in the temperate zone, and is home to threatened species such as the red panda, snow leopard, and clouded leopard. From the botanical perspective, there is a high diversity of magnolia, bamboo, rhododendron, and orchid species. |
Kaiping Diaolou and Villages | Kaiping Diaolou and Villages | | Guangdong | 2007 | 1112; ii, iii, iv (cultural) | Diaolou are multi-storey watchtowers, some of which were also residential, characteristic of the Kaiping area. They originate in the time of the Ming dynasty, when they served as fortifications against local bandits. Most of the current diaolou date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are associated with the Overseas Chinese returning home and bringing back architectural styles especially from North America, South Asia, and Australasia. They are made of rammed earth, bricks, stone, and concrete. Four diaolou clusters and villages are listed, Zili Village is pictured. |
| South China Karst | | Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Guangxi | 2007 | 1248bis; vii, viii (natural) | This site comprises some of the most prominent examples of humid tropical to subtropical karst landforms, including tower karst, giant sinkholes, natural bridges, gorges, and caves with speleothems. They demonstrate the natural beauty of karst landscapes and are important in view of scientific studies of natural processes that shape them. The clusters around Shilin, Libo, and Wulong were listed in 2007. Four additional clusters, including the one around Guilin (pictured), were added in 2014. |
| Fujian Tulou | | Fujian | 2008 | 1113; iii, iv, v (cultural) | A tolou is a type of large earthen buildings, circular or with a square plan, and several stories high. They are inward-looking and could house up to 800 people each. They are characteristic of south-eastern China, where they were constructed between the 13th and 20th centuries, with the most elaborate examples dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. While the exterior is plain and in a defensive function, the interior is typically highly decorated. The World Heritage Site lists 46 tolou in 14 clusters (Tianluokeng tulou cluster pictured). |
Mount Sanqingshan National Park | Mount Sanqingshan National Park | | Jiangxi | 2008 | 1292; vii (natural) | The natural park is listed for its natural beauty. The characteristic features are numerous granite rock formations, such as pillars, that are partially overgrown with vegetation. Some of the formations have shapes that resemble human figures and animals. There are also springs, lakes, and waterfalls. |
| Mount Wutai | | Shanxi | 2009 | 1279; ii, iii, iv, vi (cultural) | Mount Wutai is a sacred Buddhist mountain. The cultural landscape has been shaped by the imperial patronage of the site for over a millennium. There are numerous monasteries, statues, inscriptions, and stelae. Some of the timber buildings date back to the Tang dynasty. The mountain was influential in the development of Buddhism in China. |
Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in "The Centre of Heaven and Earth" | Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in "The Centre of Heaven and Earth" | | Henan | 2010 | 1305rev; iii, vi (cultural) | Dengfeng, located at the foot of the sacred Mount Song, was traditionally seen as "the centre of heaven and earth" by the Chinese, as the only place where astronomical observations were considered to be accurate. Due to its status, Dengfeng enjoyed the patronage of the emperors, who commissioned several buildings. Important monuments include the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Shaolin Monastery (pictured), and the Songyue Pagoda. |
| China Danxia | | Hunan, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Guizhou | 2010 | 1335; vii, viii (natural) | China Danxia is a type of karst landform characterized by red conglomerate and sandstone cliffs with a range of weathered and eroded landscapes, including natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys, and waterfalls, resulting in great natural beauty. This site comprises nine components in six clusters, representing the most typical formations of different ages and with different levels of weathering. Mount Danxia is pictured. |