21 Photos of China’s Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites

MOUNTAIN RESORT IN CHENGDE, CHINA

                 Temples of distinct architectural styles and imperial gardens blend perfectly into a landscape of lakes,

                 pastureland, and forests in Hebei Province.

CHINA DANXIA

Spectacular red cliffs and towering natural pillars in this region were formed by layers of different colored

 sandstone and minerals, pressed together over millions of years.

MONUMENTS OF DENGFENG

Considered sacred, Mount Songshang is home to prominent structures, including three Han Que gates

—remains of the oldest religious edifices in China

—plus temples, the Zhougong Sundial Platform, and the Dengfeng Observatory.

MOUNT QINGCHENG AND THE DUJIANGYAN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The birthplace of Taoism, Mount Qingcheng hosts a series of temples and an irrigation system

—an epic engineering feat originally constructed around 256 BC that's still active today.

THE GREAT WALL

Stretching more than 5,000 miles, the Great Wall of China was built by first emperor, Qin, 

who began construction in the 3rd century B.C.

HONGCUN VILLAGE

The ancient village of Hongcun brings visitors back in time, with well-preserved buildings dating back hundreds of years.

HONGHE HANI RICE TERRACES

Along the Ailao Mountains on the Hong River, visitors discover elaborate, reflective rice terraces, designed by 

the Hani people with support from buffalos, ducks, and eel.

IMPERIAL PALACES OF THE MING AND QING DYNASTIES

Located in central Beijing, the imposing Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace for centuries, 

from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty.

KAIPING DIAOLOU AND VILLAGES

These village houses integrate Chinese and Western influences in their unique forms, including communal towers,

 residential towers, and watchtowers.

LIJIANG

The old town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province sits high in the mountains with a complex ancient water system 

feeding canals and channels still in use today.

LONGMEN GROTTOES

The Longmen Grottoes, located on the Yi River, encompass more than 2,300 caves and 

niches carved into the steep limestone cliffs

—holding almost 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions carved on stele.

HISTORIC CENTER OF MACAO

After centuries under Portuguese administration, this port town uniquely blends Chinese and Portuguese architecture.

MAUSOLEUM OF THE FIRST QIN EMPEROR

Although thousands of life-sized terra-cotta soldiers, horses, and bronze chariots famously were discovered in 1974,

 there's no doubt that many more treasures are still to be unearthed in the archeological site of Emperor Qinshihuang's tomb.

MOUNT WUTAI

Home to 41 monasteries, this sacred Buddhist mountain boasts the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, 

the highest surviving timber building of the Tang dynasty with incredible life-size clay sculptures.

PING YAO

The well-preserved city of Ping Yao lets visitors explore a traditional Han Chinese city, with nearly 4,000 shops

 and traditional houses on meandering lanes.

POTALA PALACE

Perched on Red Mountain in Lhasa Valley, the Potala Palace was the winter retreat of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, 

symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism, and plays a central role in the traditional administration of Tibet.

GARDENS OF SUZHOU

Classical Chinese garden design, which aims to recreate natural landscapes in miniature, is seen nowhere better than 

in the nine gardens of the historic city of Suzhou.

THE TULOU HOUSES OF FUJIAN

Southeastern China hosts more than 40 tulous—circular housing complexes, also called "earthen houses"

—that sit among rice, tea, and tobacco fields.

SICHUAN GIANT PANDA SANCTUARIES

Home to more than 30% of the world's pandas, these sanctuaries include seven nature reserves and 

nine scenic parks in the Qionglai and Jiajin Mountains.

ANCIENT BUILDING COMPLEX IN THE WUDANG MOUNTAINS

The temples, palaces, and monasteries on the scenic slopes of the Wudang Mountains hold 1,000 years of 

Chinese art and architecture.

WULINGYUAN

This dramatic area in China's Hunan Province is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and

 peaks towering over streams, and waterfalls, plus around 40 caves and two large natural bridges.