My 11 Favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites

In accordance with the Britannica definition, a World Heritage Web site is “any of assorted areas or objects inscribed on the United Nations Academic, Scientific and Cultural Group (UNESCO) World Heritage Record. The websites are designated as having ‘excellent common worth.’”

The UNESCO World Heritage websites will be something from complete cities or elements of cities to particular monuments, pure landscapes, and extra. As of July 2021, there have been a complete of 1,154 World Heritage Websites, with 897 of them cultural, 218 pure, and 39 combined properties.

The selection is as diversified as it’s huge. Whereas attempting my finest to decide on a few of my favorites for this record, I have to admit giving up on attempting to determine and depend what number of I’ve seen up to now. And there are such a lot of I’d completely like to see similar to Machu Picchu and the Grand Canyon, which I’ve longed to see ceaselessly however haven’t but managed. Then there are some that are so fashionable, similar to the complete metropolis of Rome and sights such because the Tower of London, Westminster Palace, and the Statue of Liberty, that I left them off my private record regardless of their distinct worth.

The result’s an eclectic hop across the globe, which spans monuments and cities, small and huge websites. I’ve picked these as my favorites for numerous causes which I’ll share with you.

What number of of my private favorites have you ever seen? And do you agree with me?

1. The Nice Wall

Beijing, China

This one really blew my thoughts, in case you pardon the expression. Perched on a mountain high an hour outdoors of the hyper-modern metropolis of Beijing, standing on stones assembled lots of and 1000’s of years in the past, the sight of the continual construction undulating alongside steep mountain ridges at unimaginable angles all the best way to the horizon on each side of me is one thing I’ll always remember.

No, it’s not true which you can see the Great Wall of China from area with the naked eye, however this man-made construction, all official 13,000+ miles of it, is such a tremendous architectural feat that you could be as nicely imagine it.

2. Forbidden Metropolis

Beijing, China

The Forbidden Metropolis has this magical attract, most likely partially due to the phrase “forbidden,” which makes you are feeling like you might be actually privileged to have the ability to have a more in-depth take a look at this huge, roughly 9,000-room complicated that housed 24 emperors — and also you actually are privileged. This historic complicated provides one other perspective to the often mind-boggling city of Beijing, and it is among the sights I need to return to probably the most, as there may be a lot to see that even on a prolonged guided tour, you are feeling you miss out on a lot. Subsequent time, I’ll forgo the guides and simply take a whole day to discover, get misplaced, and snoop round.

3. Taj Mahal

Agra, India

I used to be touring on the Palace on Wheels, one of many world’s greatest train journeys, which allowed its passengers early entry into the grounds of the Taj Mahal. At 6 within the morning, I’m not often at my finest, however coming into the quiet grounds with this stunningly stunning, delicate, and shimmering constructing on the finish of the walkway is a sight I’ll always remember. It was chilly in early December, and coming into the mausoleum was actually chilly underfoot — however what a deal with. Leaving the hustle and bustle of India outdoors, this can be a sanctuary that feels 1,000,000 miles away from in all places.

4. The Nice Pyramids Of Giza

Giza, Egypt

I have to admit that the primary time I visited the Pyramids of Giza I used to be lower than impressed. It may need been my information, who talked incessantly and drove me nuts, it may need been the shock of seeing the Cairo suburbs so surprisingly near the large monuments, or might have been the belief that I couldn’t climb to the highest — even when I had been allowed to — as a result of every step was taller than me. 

The following time I got here although, I stayed within the beautiful Mena House Hotel with views throughout to the big triangle shapes on the backside of the backyard, and visited with out a information. As an alternative, I explored, stood, gazed up, petted the camels, and soaked up the ambiance. And what? The pyramids are actually wonderful.

5. The Banks Of The Seine

Paris, France

That is reportedly probably the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Web site on this planet, however I ponder simply what number of of its guests know that the Banks of the Seine they’re strolling alongside, crêpe in hand, are UNESCO-listed. I lived in Paris for six years and walked alongside the Seine numerous occasions and solely came upon that the stunning quays and the banks dotted with small café vehicles and benches have been deemed worthy of inclusion on the illustrious record after I wrote concerning the Seine and its many worthwhile stops.

6. The Metropolis Of Bathtub

Bathtub Spa, England

I lived within the spa city of Bathtub after ending college and even received married there, and I’ve cherished it ever since. I learn my manner via the Jane Austen novels (the creator was a former resident of Bathtub) and explored town’s historic locations. Even now, so a few years later, I all the time pop in every time I can, as town isn’t solely nice for purchasing and has excellent eating places. Strolling alongside the Royal Crescent, via the Circus, or inside Sydney Gardens looks like stepping again in historical past, one thing which has been confirmed when the historic romp Bridgerton was filmed right here. Merely trade the automobiles with carriages, et voila, the historic setting is genuine.

7. The Metropolis Of Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is one in all my favourite cities on this planet; it’s bustling, has a lot historical past round each nook, and has such an environment that isn’t discovered anyplace else. There are 4 UNESCO websites inside Istanbul, however these are complete areas, such because the Sultanahmet Archaeological Park, which incorporates the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome of Constantine, Hagia Irene, and Little Hagia Sophia, and all the things in between them, so usually the complete metropolis is deemed a UNESCO website. Fashionable life goes hand in hand with historic historical past right here, and it really works so nicely.

8. The Venice Lagoon

Venice, Italy

Venice and its lagoon are a type of uncommon locations on this planet the place your entire idea of what a metropolis and life in and round it needs to be like will get turned the other way up. Canals as an alternative of streets? Boats as an alternative of automobiles? A floating metropolis and islands which might be so uncommon, be they coated in vibrant, colourful homes, devoted to the commerce of glass manufacture, and even merely a cemetery, make for a really magical destination. I so needed to dislike Venice after I first visited, just because all people raves about it, however I failed miserably. What’s to not love, particularly now that the ugly cruise ships have been banned?

9. Stonehenge

Wiltshire, England

Having lived for years close to Stonehenge, for some cause, I by no means went to see it. It barely registered with me. It took a number of worldwide strikes and a go to again to England to make me lastly determine to go and be part of the queue. Like with Venice, I needed to dislike it as a result of it’s such a touristy place, however arriving throughout the first slot of the day, the sunshine nonetheless brightening, I used to be enchanted at first sight. I’m not a druid, nor does the summer solstice imply that a lot to me, however I swear I breathed in far more deeply than ever earlier than and was drawn into the sheer historical past and age of this monument — a lot in order that I instantly visited Avebury too.

10. Saint-Sophia Cathedral

Kyiv, Ukraine

This was probably the most enchanting moments in my lengthy historical past of world journey. It was a Sunday morning in winter, Kyiv was nestled below a blanket of freshly fallen and nonetheless pristine-white snow, and I used to be about to rush previous Saint-Sophia Cathedral however stopped for a fast image of the attractive blue and gold façade when the bells began ringing. I stood entranced as I watched as folks got here and entered to attend the Sunday morning service. The wonderful tune of the bells, the snow, the sunshine, and the trustworthy strolling previous me, all on this gorgeous setting earlier than the beautiful church, made this a worthy contender for probably the most stunning UNESCO websites.

11. Sydney Opera Home

Sydney, Australia

And right here is probably the most fashionable of the lot, the comparatively younger Sydney Opera Home. Constructed between the late Nineteen Fifties and the Nineteen Seventies, this iconic music venue deserves inclusion in my private record as a result of I believe it’s not solely an awesome piece of structure, however it’s a shining instance of artificial working nicely with nature. The opera home wouldn’t have been half as spectacular if it wasn’t set towards the gorgeous pure harbor of Sydney, leading to a symbiosis of gorgeous sights.

For extra on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, additionally examine some of the newest sites and sites along the Danube.