UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China
- The Great Wall (长城 Chángchéng): Located in Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Shanxi. An ancient fortification stretching across China's northern border, built to protect against invasions.
- Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang (北京和沈阳的明清皇宫 Běijīng hé Shěnyáng de Míng Qīng Huánggōng): Located in Beijing and Liaoning. Magnificent palace complexes representing China's imperial history and architecture.
- Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (秦始皇陵 Qín Shǐ Huáng Líng): Located in Shaanxi. The burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, known for the Terracotta Army.
- Mogao Caves (莫高窟 Mògāo Kū): Located in Gansu. A complex of Buddhist cave temples containing exquisite murals and sculptures along the Silk Road.
- Mount Taishan (泰山 Tàishān): Located in Shandong. A sacred mountain with cultural and historical significance, known for its temples, stone inscriptions, and natural beauty.
- Mount Huangshan (黄山 Huángshān): Located in Anhui. A stunning mountain range known for its granite peaks, pine trees, hot springs, and mystical atmosphere.
- Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (峨眉山风景名胜区,包括乐山大佛风景名胜区 Éméishān Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū, Bāokuò Lèshān Dàfó Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Sichuan. A sacred Buddhist mountain with monasteries, temples, and the world's largest Buddha statue.
- Old Town of Lijiang (丽江古城 Lìjiāng Gǔchéng): Located in Yunnan. A well-preserved ancient town with traditional Naxi architecture, cobblestone streets, and canals.
- Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (周口店北京人遗址 Zhōukǒudiàn Běijīngrén Yízhǐ): Located in Beijing. A significant archaeological site containing fossils and artifacts related to Peking Man.
- The Classical Gardens of Suzhou (苏州古典园林 Sūzhōu Gǔdiǎn Yuánlín): Located in Jiangsu. A collection of exquisite gardens dating back to the Song Dynasty, known for their harmony between natural landscapes and human creations.
- Mount Wuyi (武夷山 Wǔyíshān): Located in Fujian. A scenic area with dramatic cliffs, gorges, rivers, and ancient cultural sites, recognized for its biodiversity and tea cultivation.
- Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (武当山古建筑群 Wǔdāngshān Gǔjiànzhù Qún): Located in Hubei. A complex of Taoist temples and monasteries nestled in the Wudang Mountains, renowned for their architecture and martial arts heritage.
- Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (布达拉宫历史建筑群 Bùdálā Gōng Lìshǐ Jiànzhù Qún): Located in Tibet. A symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, the Potala Palace is an architectural masterpiece and former residence of the Dalai Lama.
- Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde (承德避暑山庄及其周围寺庙 Chéngdé Bìshǔ Shānzhuāng jí Qí Zhōuwéi Sìmiào): Located in Hebei. A vast imperial garden and palace complex featuring traditional Chinese architecture and landscaped gardens.
- Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (曲阜孔庙、孔府及孔林 Qūfù Kǒngmiào, Kǒngfǔ jí Kǒng Lín): Located in Shandong. A sacred site dedicated to Confucius, including his temple, family mansion, and forest of tablets.
- Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (颐和园 Yíhé Yuán): Located in Beijing. A masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, the Summer Palace features pavilions, temples, and the famous Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake.
- Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (北京天坛:天坛地区的祭坛 Běijīng Tiāntán: Tiāntán Dìqū de Jìtán): Located in Beijing. A complex of religious buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed sacrificial rituals for good harvests.
- Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (青城山-都江堰 Qīngchéng Shān - Dūjiāngyàn): Located in Sichuan. A Taoist mountain and ancient irrigation system recognized for their cultural, historical, and technological significance.
- Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻 Dàzú Shíkè): Located in Chongqing. A series of Buddhist rock carvings dating back to the 9th century, depicting Buddhist scriptures, deities, and scenes of daily life.
- Mount Lushan National Park (庐山 Lúshān): Located in Jiangxi. A scenic area known for its natural beauty, cultural sites, and historic role in Chinese literature and art.
- Lushan National Park (庐山国家公园 Lúshān Guójiā Gōngyuán): Located in Jiangxi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, unique geological formations, and cultural landmarks.
- Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟 Yúngāng Shíkū): Located in Shanxi. A complex of ancient Buddhist cave temples containing thousands of statues and intricate carvings, dating back to the 5th century.
- Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (云南三江并流地区 Yúnnán Sānjiāng Bìngliú Dìqū): Located in Yunnan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and unique geographical features.
- Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (古高丽国都及陵墓 Gǔ Gāolí Guó Dū jí Língmù): Located in Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Containing archaeological remains of the ancient Koguryo Kingdom.
- Historic Centre of Macao (澳门历史城区 Àomén Lìshǐ Chéngqū): Located in Macau. Known for its historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and fusion of Chinese and Portuguese influences.
- Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains (四川大熊猫栖息地:卧龙、四姑娘山和夹金山 Sìchuān Dàxióngmāo Qīxīdì: Wòlóng, Sìgūniáng Shān hé Jiājīn Shān): Located in Sichuan. Protecting habitats of the giant panda and other rare species.
- Yin Xu (殷墟 Yīnxū): Located in Henan. The ruins of the ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty, known for its oracle bone inscriptions and archaeological significance.
- Tu Fu's Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂 Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng): Located in Sichuan. The former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, now a museum dedicated to his life and works.
- Mount Sanqingshan National Park (三清山 Sānqīngshān): Located in Jiangxi. Known for its dramatic granite peaks, lush forests, and unique rock formations.
- Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源风景名胜区 Wǔlíngyuán Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Hunan. Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and lush vegetation.
- Historic Villages of China - Xidi and Hongcun (中国古村落-西递、宏村 Zhōngguó Gǔ Cūnluò - Xīdì, Hóng Cūn): Located in Anhui. Featuring well-preserved traditional villages with ancient architecture and cultural heritage.
- Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟 Lóngmén Shíkū): Located in Henan. Containing thousands of Buddhist statues and carvings carved into limestone cliffs.
- Mount Wutai (五台山 Wǔtáishān): Located in Shanxi. A sacred Buddhist mountain known for its monasteries, temples, and cultural significance.
- China Danxia (中国丹霞 Zhōngguó Dānxiá): Located in various provinces. A series of unique landscapes characterized by red sandstone formations, known for their natural beauty and geological significance.
- Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in "The Centre of Heaven and Earth" (登封历史建筑群 Dēngfēng Lìshǐ Jiànzhù Qún): Located in Henan. Containing ancient religious sites and martial arts traditions.
- Site of Xanadu (元上都城址 Yuán Shàngdū Chéngzhǐ): Located in Inner Mongolia. The ruins of Kublai Khan's summer capital, known for its historical and cultural significance.
- Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (峨眉山风景名胜区,包括乐山大佛风景名胜区 Éméishān Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū, Bāokuò Lèshān Dàfó Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Sichuan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its sacred Buddhist mountain and giant Buddha statue.
- Qin and Han Dynasties: Mausoleums and Goguryeo Ancient Tombs (秦汉与高句丽古墓群 Qín Hàn yǔ Gāojǔlí Gǔ Mù Qún): Located in Liaoning and Jilin. Containing ancient mausoleums and tombs.