52 stunning heritage sites — two of the world's top countries for UNESCO listings

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Jun(e), compiled and reported

The wonders of the world are diverse and abundant. Beyond the marvels crafted by nature, human cultural heritage is equally breathtaking. At the recent UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting held in Kraków, Poland, China successfully had two nominees inscribed on the World Heritage List: "Gulangyu: a Historic International Settlement" and "Hoh Xil." With this addition, the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in mainland China has risen to 52, tying with Italy’s 53, making both countries the nations with the most World Heritage Sites globally.

Located in Xiamen, Fujian, Gulangyu has become a popular emerging tourist destination in recent years. It boasts over 900 historical buildings and cultural relics. The International Council on Monuments and Sites noted that Gulangyu’s architectural styles blend Chinese, Southeast Asian, and European influences, along with local traditional cultural elements, resulting in a unique new style known as the "Amoy Deco Style."

Hoh Xil is located in the northeastern corner of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is known as the “Third Pole” of the world. The nominated area includes vast mountain and grassland systems at elevations above 4,500 meters. Hoh Xil contains the highest density of lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, as well as an extremely diverse range of lake basins and high-altitude inland lake landforms.