East Asia

A view of some Kulangsu buildings on the island's edge.

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement

An 18-century commercial port where foreign and Chinese influences mixed and intertwined, especially evident in the unique range of architecture.

A river straight ahead, with dense mangrove forest on both sides.

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island

Four islands with subtropical rainforests that support a range of endemic species.

A view along a section of the wall from one watchtower toward another along a row of mountain peaks.

The Great Wall

An ancient and audacious architectural marvel over 12,000 miles long.

The entrance to a mine at Iwami GInzan Silver MInes.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape

Remains of a silver mining community that operated for centuries, important in international trade.

A bridge over a pond or river, with a square tower at each end, all of it lit up in bright colors at night.

Gyeongju Historic Areas

Ruins of the capital of the ancient Silla dynasty, rich in Buddhist artworks and architecture.

A pagoda with 6 roof levels on the right and a large temple hall on the left, with 3 roof levels.

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area

Two early temple complexes that include the oldest wooden structures in the world.

A path between green rice fields leads to a group of houses with peaked thatched roofs.

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Mountain villages with unique traditional farmhouses where silkworms were cultivated.

View of one of the shrine buildings at Jongmyo: a low structure with a grey tiled roof but otherwise all painted dark red. PIllars along the building support the eaves of the roof.

Jongmyo Shrine

A Confucian shrine housing the spirit tablets of Korean royal ancestors.

On a hill above the lake, a palace and a pagoda.

Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing

A summer retreat for China’s emperors, with extensive classical gardens, an artificial lake, and a collection of palace buildings.

A large round pagoda with three roofs and concentric walls around it, each higher than the one outside it.

Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing

A religious complex used by Ming and Qing dynasty emperors that is significant both symbolically and architecturally.

Several travertine ponds in shades of blue.

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area

A beautiful high-elevation natural area known for its colorful ponds and waterfalls.

A street in Lijiang: shop houses along the right, with red lanterns hanging from the eaves. Motorbikes parked, a child walks in the street, willow trees overhang the street on the left.

Old Town of Lijiang

A charming traditional Chinese town that combines Naxi, Han, Bai and Tibetan influences.

A bonsai evergreen tree in a small pot against a whitewashed wall.

Classical Gardens of Suzhou

Nine traditional Chinese gardens that artfully mirror the natural world in very limited spaces.

A view of snow-capped Mount Fuji across Lake Kawaguchiko, with a small plane above the lake.

Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration

Mount Fuji and numerous natural and religious sites related to its spiritual importance.

Entranceway into a shrine, with detailed carvings over the doorway, mostly painted gold, with a white carved dragon right in the center.

Shrines and Temples of Nikko

A complex of ornate and colorful religious buildings in a lovely forest setting.

Paper cranes made of bright paper, strung in long garlands.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

A UNESCO site for its symbolism and the hope it represents.

View from above of several tulou against a backdrop of mountains.

Fujian Tulou

Multi-family inward-facing houses built by the Hakka minority and still used to this day.

People at the bottom of the photo look up at the large waterfall behind them which fills the rest of the picture.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area

A spectacular landscape of karst landforms, lakes and waterfalls, home to a range of endangered species.

The Torii gate stands on two massive poles, each with two smaller poles flanking it. A lower, straight crosspiece near the top, and along the very top, a crosspiece that is slightly curved upward at each end. The whole thing is painted reddish-orange. It stands in a flat field, with a wooded hill behind.

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

A well-preserved shrine dating to the 12th century and harmonizing beautifully with the surrounding landscape.

A bright yellow temple with curving roofs on each story, standing on the shore of a lake.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Uji and Otsu

A set of 17 sites comprising culturally-significant religious architecture and landscaped gardens.

A row of low white buildings with occasional archways in the wall in front of them sit on the edge of a lake. The lake water is absolutely still, so the houses are mirrored perfectly in the water.

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun

Picture-perfect traditional rural villages, unchanged since the feudal period.

An ornate gate (without doors): red roof with curved roof lines, supported by 4 red pillars, with decorative painting under the roof. Beyond that, a neat grass-covered mound.

Complex of Koguryo Tombs

Underground burial chambers, some with bright wall paintings, that offer insight into Korea’s Korguryo kingdom.

A large ceremonial hall at Changdeokgung Palace: 2 levels of curved roofs, typical of traditional Korean buildings. The walls and window frames below the lower roof and between it and the top roof are painted in bright colors. Stone steps lead up to the ground floor.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex

An exceptional example of Korean palace architecture and design in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Looking up at the white castle with curved roof lines at every story, not just the top.

Himeji-Jo

A magnificent bright white castle dating to the 17th century.

A large building with typical curved roof and festooned with colorful banners.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

A collection of ancient Buddhist and Shinto shrines in the old capital of the Japanese empire.