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Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
26 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2025
From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, UNESCO 's list of World Heritage Sites protects some of humanity's most treasured historical monuments. Now, 26 new sites have been added to this prestigious list. This year's additions include the original Disney Castle, a Diamond Mountain in North Korea, and the Killing Fields of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. UNESCO has also included Port Royal - a mysterious sunken 'Pirate City' in Jamaica. Of the 32 candidates nominated this year, those accepted include 21 cultural sites, four natural wonders, and one mixed location. Pictured: Linderhof Castle near Oberammergau, southern Germany. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany When Walt Disney needed inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty, he turned to the stunning palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Built between 1864 and 1886, the spires of Neuschwanstein Castle tower over the Bavarian Alps. King Ludwig II, who would be declared mad shortly after the castle's completion, drew inspiration for the castle's design from fairy tales and the operas of Wagner. The castle features grand murals of forests and cherubs alongside a hidden grotto built to connect the King's living space and offices. Between 1975 and 1979, Cambodia's Khmer Rouge party killed between two and three million people. Inspired by radical Maoist ideology, the party led by Pol Pot killed ethnic, educated, urban, or professionally trained individuals. Perceived opponents of the regime were taken to sites which became known as the killing fields, where they were murdered and dumped in mass graves. These graves were so shallow that bones of the dead can still be seen sticking out of the ground to this day. One of these sites, formally an orchard located 6 miles (10km) south of the capital Phnom Penh, was made into a memorial site for the atrocity named the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. The centre includes a large Buddhist stupa, or tower, made out of hundreds of unidentified skulls from those killed at the site. The Killing Fields and the notorious S-21 and M-13 prison, where thousands were tortured, have all been made part of the UNESCO world heritage list. Mount Kumgang, North Korea Known as the Diamond Mountain from the Sea, Mount Kumang is now one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites in North Korea. UNESCO has added the area as a mixed site, meaning it has outstanding natural and cultural value. This area is renowned for its valleys, waterfalls, incredible biodiversity, and peaks rising to nearly 5,250 ft (1,600m). Due to the local climate, these mountains are constantly shrouded by a changing pattern of mists, rain, and clouds. Additionally, the area has been considered sacred by Korean Buddhists for hundreds of years. The site is home to ancient stone carvings and temples dating back as far as the 5th century, including three which are still active today. Until January last year, the site was also one of the very few locations open to South Korean tourists as part of the so-called 'Sunshine Policy'. Gola-Tiwai Complex, Sierra Leone The Gola-Tiwai Complex is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Sierra Leone and has been added following decades of conservation work in the region. The complex will include the 700 square kilometre Gola-Tiwai National Park as well as the nearby Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Once considered at threat by logging and civil war, this rainforest is home to a bewildering array of rare and endangered species. The area hosts more than 1,000 plant species, 55 mammals, up to 448 birds, and 600 species of butterfly. It is also the last remaining home of the forest elephant and pygmy hippopotamus in Sierra Leone. Pygmy hippos, made famous by Khao Kheow Open Zoo's Moo Deng , are now found in only a handful of waterways in West Africa and are considered endangered. The forest is also key to the survival of some species we would recognise here in the UK, such as migratory swifts which stop to rest in Gola-Tiwai on their way to Europe. Port Royal, Jamaica In the 17th century, the town of Port Royal was a major hub of English trade in the Caribbean and a notorious pirate haven nicknamed 'the wickedest city of Earth'. The city was home to English and Dutch 'Privateers', gangs of marauding pirates encouraged to attack the Spanish fleets. On shore, these wealthy criminals would spend their ill-gotten cash in the city's many taverns and gambling dens. However, a major earthquake in 1692 and an accompanying tsunami sank most of the port into the ocean. What remained of the town was then destroyed by a fire and a hurricane in the following years, all but wiping Port Royal off the map. Today, the remains of the pirate town are still found beneath the waves where they have been converted into a major archaeological site. This area, known as the Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal, has now been officially recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage site. The 26 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites 1. Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (Cambodia) 2. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago, Omatí Minhô (Guinea-Bissau) 3. Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan) 4. Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (Cameroon) 5. Faya Palaeolandscape (United Arab Emirates) 6. Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (Malaysia) 7. Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia, The domus de janas (Italy) 8. Gola-Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone) 9. Maratha Military Landscapes of India (India) 10. Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan (France) 11. Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece) 12. Mount Kumgang, Diamond Mountain from the Sea (North Korea) 13. Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi). 14. Møns Klint (Denmark) 15. Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia) 16. Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil) 17. Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream (South Korea) 18. Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley (Iran) 19. Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave (Russia) 20. Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Turkey) 21. The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal (Jamaica) 22. The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá (Panama) 23. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee (Germany) 24. Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé, Mexico) 25. Xixia Imperial Tombs (China) 26. Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes (Vietnam).
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The 26 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2025 – from a sunken 'Pirate City' to the original Disney Castle
From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, UNESCO 's list of World Heritage Sites protects some of humanity's most treasured historical monuments. Now, 26 new sites have been added to this prestigious list. This year's additions include the original Disney Castle, a Diamond Mountain in North Korea, and the Killing Fields of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. UNESCO has also included Port Royal - a mysterious sunken 'Pirate City' in Jamaica. Of the 32 candidates nominated this year, those accepted include 21 cultural sites, four natural wonders, and one mixed location. Following 10 days of deliberations in Paris, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has expanded its list to 1,248 sites across 170 countries. That includes two countries, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, which have now claimed their first UNESCO world heritage sites. Countries with sites added to the list must commit to preserving them and could receive funding from the UN to help with that conservation. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany When Walt Disney needed inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty, he turned to the stunning palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Built between 1864 and 1886, the spires of Neuschwanstein Castle tower over the Bavarian Alps. King Ludwig II, who would be declared mad shortly after the castle's completion, drew inspiration for the castle's design from fairy tales and the operas of Wagner. The castle features grand murals of forests and cherubs alongside a hidden grotto built to connect the King's living space and offices. Despite its medieval appearance, Neuschwanstein was actually constructed with the height of 19th-century technology. There is running water and automatically flushing toilets, hot air central heating, and even a system of electric bells used to summon servants. Alongside Neuschwanstein, the King's other homes -Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, and the Royal House at Schachen - are now all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Cambodian Memorial Sites, Cambodia Between 1975 and 1979, Cambodia's Khmer Rouge party killed between two and three million people. Inspired by radical Maoist ideology, the party led by Pol Pot killed ethnic, educated, urban, or professionally trained individuals. Perceived opponents of the regime were taken to sites which became known as the killing fields, where they were murdered and dumped in mass graves. These graves were so shallow that bones of the dead can still be seen sticking out of the ground to this day. One of these sites, formally an orchard located 6 miles (10km) south of the capital Phnom Penh, was made into a memorial site for the atrocity named the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. The centre includes a large Buddhist stupa, or tower, made out of hundreds of unidentified skulls from those killed at the site. The Killing Fields and the notorious S-21 and M-13 prison, where thousands were tortured, have all been made part of the UNESCO world heritage list. Mount Kumgang, North Korea Known as the Diamond Mountain from the Sea, Mount Kumang is now one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites in North Korea. UNESCO has added the area as a mixed site, meaning it has outstanding natural and cultural value. This area is renowned for its valleys, waterfalls, incredible biodiversity, and peaks rising to nearly 5,250 ft (1,600m). Due to the local climate, these mountains are constantly shrouded by a changing pattern of mists, rain, and clouds. Additionally, the area has been considered sacred by Korean Buddhists for hundreds of years. The site is home to ancient stone carvings and temples dating back as far as the 5th century, including three which are still active today. Until January last year, the site was also one of the very few locations open to South Korean tourists as part of the so-called 'Sunshine Policy'. Gola-Tiwai Complex, Sierra Leone The Gola-Tiwai Complex is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Sierra Leone and has been added following decades of conservation work in the region. The complex will include the 700 square kilometre Gola-Tiwai National Park as well as the nearby Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Once considered at threat by logging and civil war, this rainforest is home to a bewildering array of rare and endangered species. The area hosts more than 1,000 plant species, 55 mammals, up to 448 birds, and 600 species of butterfly. It is also the last remaining home of the forest elephant and pygmy hippopotamus in Sierra Leone. Pygmy hippos, made famous by Khao Kheow Open Zoo's Moo Deng, are now found in only a handful of waterways in West Africa and are considered endangered. The forest is also key to the survival of some species we would recognise here in the UK, such as migratory swifts which stop to rest in Gola-Tiwai on their way to Europe. Port Royal, Jamaica In the 17th century, the town of Port Royal was a major hub of English trade in the Caribbean and a notorious pirate haven nicknamed 'the wickedest city of Earth'. The city was home to English and Dutch 'Privateers', gangs of marauding pirates encouraged to attack the Spanish fleets. On shore, these wealthy criminals would spend their ill-gotten cash in the city's many taverns, gambling dens, and brothels. However, a major earthquake in 1692 and an accompanying tsunami sank most of the port into the ocean. What remained of the town was then destroyed by a fire and a hurricane in the following years, all but wiping Port Royal off the map. Today, the remains of the pirate town are still found beneath the waves where they have been converted into a major archaeological site. This area, known as the Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal, has now been officially recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage site. The 26 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (Cambodia) Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago, Omatí Minhô (Guinea-Bissau) Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan) Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (Cameroon) Faya Palaeolandscape (United Arab Emirates) Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (Malaysia) Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia, The domus de janas (Italy) Gola-Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone) Maratha Military Landscapes of India (India) Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan (France) Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece) Mount Kumgang, Diamond Mountain from the Sea (North Korea) Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi) Møns Klint (Denmark) Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia) Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil) Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream (South Korea) Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley (Iran) Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave (Russia) Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Turkey) The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal (Jamaica) The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá (Panama) The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee (Germany) Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé) (Mexico) Xixia Imperial Tombs (China)
The Sun
17-07-2025
- The Sun
Incredible European castle that was the inspiration for Disney to become even more popular
THE castle in Bavaria that was the inspiration behind Cinderella's palace has just been given a brand-new status. Found on a hilltop in Germany, the sprawling castle has been awarded a title given to places that are deemed to be of 'great importance to all of humanity'. 4 4 Neuschwanstein Castle, or Schloss Neuschwanstein, is a 19th-century palace at the foot of the Alps in the south of Germany, near the Austrian border. Inside the castle there are over 200 rooms, however only 14 are open to the public. The highest tower reaches a height of 213 feet, but the palace appears much taller as it is on top of a hill. The castle was built in 1869 after being commissioned by King Ludwig II, who was nicknamed the 'Mad King Ludwig', and was known for his love of extravagant palaces. Sadly, King Ludwig II never saw the final Neuschwanstein, according to the Bavarian Castle Administration he died in 1886 and the final towers weren't completed until 1892. One man who did see the castle in all its glory was Walt Disney. He saw it on a trip to Europe while travelling with his wife, and Walt used it as inspiration for his very own Disneyland. Elements of it are used in the Sleeping Beauty castle, which is the most recognisable building and logo of Disney. Now, the site has officially been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. As of July 2025, there are 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across across 168 countries. Inside Ireland's 'magical' Disney castle with fairytale tower on sale for €7.5MILLION and it's minutes from the beach 4 The sites are chosen as cultural or natural locations around the world that are recognised for their "Outstanding Universal Value". UNESCO sites are deemed to be of 'great importance to all of humanity'. The decision was made to add the castle to the list in July 2025. You can visit Neuschwanstein Castle by booking tickets online. Prices for adults start at €23.50 (£23.32). Tickets for children up to 17 are just €2.50 (£2.16). On the website, it is detailed that visiting the castle is only possible as part of a guided tour. Outside of the castle walls, there's another must-see which is Marienbrücke. The bridge found in the castle grounds is suspended over a waterfall, making it a great viewpoint. If you want to visit the castle, the closest airport is Memmingen. Ryanair offers direct flights which are just one hour 45 minutes long. Flights from London Stansted to Memmingen start at £21.99. From there, it's an hour's drive south to the castle. Walt Disney also visited this pretty English village which was later almost bought by America. Here are seven beautiful castles you can stay in for under £90 to feel like you're on The Traitors filming location. 4
Condé Nast Traveler
16-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
These 26 Sites Were Just Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List
The inscription of new UNESCO World Heritage Sites is always a momentous occasion—especially for travelers who plan trips to experience the rich culture and natural beauty of these special places first hand. The running list spotlights more than a thousand significant sites around the globe, ranging from natural wonders to ancient ruins and stunningly preserved historical buildings. Once a year, The World Heritage Committee—a panel of 21 elected representatives from different member nations—meets to assess new proposals for inscription on the World Heritage List. On July 12, the committee inscribed 26 new sites across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Notably, Sierra Leone has gained its first-ever World Heritage Site. All of the new places added to the list this year have 'outstanding universal value' and meet at least one out of 10 additional selection criteria, such as being a 'masterpiece of human creative genius' or being an area of 'exceptional natural beauty.' Here's a closer look at four of the newest World Heritage Sites. Neuschwanstein, pictured above, is one of four Bavarian castles built by King Ludwig II that were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2025. Arterra/Getty Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria Four storybook-worthy castles in the German region of Bavaria were just enshrined on the World Heritage list for 2025. The castles, Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen, and Herrenchiemsee, were built by King Ludwig II between 1864 and 1886 and served as his personal homes and retreats. The palaces' ornate designs were inspired by German fairytales, as well as Versailles and Wagner's operas, and each one reflects 'the romantic and eclectic spirit of the era,' according to the UNESCO committee. The palaces were each designed to harmoniously blend into the region's stunning landscapes, the most famous example being Neuschwanstein, which is majestically elevated among the rugged foothills of the Alps. Get there: The palaces have been opened to the public since King Ludwig died in 1886, and today visitors can still tour all four palaces and marvel at their lavish interiors.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
UNESCO names 26 new World Heritage Sites including Maratha Military Landscapes from India
Source: UNESCO From ancient forts to breathtaking canyons, UNESCO has added 26 new properties to the World Heritage List during its session in Paris. These include 21 cultural sites, four natural landscapes, and one mixed site. Notably, India's own Maratha Military Landscapes—a network of 12 historical forts—have earned UNESCO recognition, marking India's 44th World Heritage site. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or travel junkie, this global update highlights the diversity and significance of our shared heritage. Here is a list of all the important World Heritage Sites added by UNESCO in their official list. List of 26 new sites added in UNESCO World Heritage list S NO. Site Name Country / Region Type 1 Cambodian Memorial Sites Cambodia (3 locations) Cultural 2 Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal Tajikistan Cultural 3 Diy‑Gid‑Biy Cultural Landscape Cameroon Cultural 4 Faya Palaeolandscape UAE Cultural 5 Forest Research Institute Park Malaysia Cultural 6 Funerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia Italy Cultural 7 Maratha Military Landscapes India Cultural 8 Megaliths of Carnac France Cultural 9 Minoan Palatial Centres Greece Cultural 10 Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape Malawi Cultural 11 Murujuga Cultural Landscape Australia Cultural 12 Petroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream South Korea Cultural 13 Rock Paintings of Shulgan‑Tash Cave Russia Cultural 14 Sardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe Türkiye Cultural 15 17th‑Century Port Royal Jamaica Cultural 16 Colonial Transisthmian Route Panama Cultural 17 Palaces of King Ludwig II Germany Cultural 18 Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley Iran Cultural 19 Wixarika Route to Wirikuta Mexico Cultural 20 Xixia Imperial Tombs China Cultural 21 Yen Tu‑Vinh Nghiem‑Con Son Complex Vietnam Cultural 22 Cavernas do Peruacu National Park Brazil Natural 23 Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós Guinea‑Bissau Natural 24 Gola‑Tiwai Complex Sierra Leone Natural 25 Peruaçu River Canyon Brazil Natural 26 Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs Denmark Natural New UNESCO World Heritage sites 2025 Cambodian Memorial Sites (Cambodia) Source: UNESCO Three powerful memorials—Tuol Sleng prison, Choeung Ek killing fields, and M-13 detention centre—stand as stark reminders of Khmer Rouge atrocities. UNESCO honours these as essential testaments to historical memory, trauma education, and healing, ensuring global awareness of genocide's lessons. Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan) Source: UNESCO The Khuttal site preserves medieval Central Asian culture through mosques, mausoleums, caravanserais, and ancient water systems. Dating from the 9th–12th centuries, it reveals intricate Islamic architecture, vibrant trade networks, and regional heritage in Tajik history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo Diy‑Gid‑Biy Cultural Landscape (Cameroon) Source: UNESCO In North-West Cameroon, this landscape blends terraced farmland, sacred forests, and communal villages. It embodies Bamileke spiritual customs, showcasing how cultural identity and ecological harmony co‑exist through ancestral agricultural practices and social tradition. Faya Palaeolandscape (UAE) Source: UNESCO This prehistoric site houses 100,000‑year‑old archaeological evidence, including stone tools and remains of ancient settlements. UNESCO highlighted how it offers insight into early human migration patterns and environmental adaptation in the Arabian desert. Forest Research Institute Park (Malaysia) Source: UNESCO As per UNESCO official reports, FRIM, founded in 1929, is a botanical research haven near Kuala Lumpur. It combines colonial‑era architecture with lush tropical forests and early conservation efforts—making it a model of urban biodiversity and environmental education. Funerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia (Italy) Source: UNESCO Sardinia's rock‑cut tombs—Giants' Tombs and domus de janas—date to the Bronze Age. Carved into limestone cliffs, they reflect ancient burial traditions, illustrating early Sardinian ritual culture and impressive prehistoric craftsmanship. Maratha Military Landscapes (India) Source: UNESCO A network of twelve forts—including Raigad, Shivneri, and Gingee—spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Built between the 17th–19th centuries,they showcase Maratha military strategy, adaptive architecture, and regional defence innovations, marking a crucial period in Indian history. Megaliths of Carnac (France) Source: UNESCO Home to over 3,000 Neolithic standing stones, dolmens, and burial mounds from 4500–3300 BCE. Carnac is one of the world's largest prehistoric megalith complexes, offering archaeological and astronomical insights into ancient European society. Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece) Source: UNESCO Including Knossos and Phaistos, these Bronze‑Age palaces feature advanced architecture, frescoed walls, drainage systems, and ceremonial spaces. They epitomize the cultural sophistication of the Minoan civilization on Crete between 2000–1400 BCE. Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi) Source: UNESCO As per UNESCO reports, Mount Mulanje combines sacred peaks over 3,000 m with ritual forests and sacred water sources. Local communities regard it as spiritually significant, blending biodiversity conservation with ancestral cultural traditions. Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia) Source: UNESCO Located on Burrup Peninsula, this site preserves over a million Aboriginal rock engravings depicting marine life and ancestral stories. It's the world's largest petroglyph collection and a living testament to Indigenous heritage. Petroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream (South Korea) Source: UNESCO Riverside rock carvings from the Bronze Age depicting deer, humans, and geometric motifs. These engravings provide rare insights into ritual symbolism and prehistoric social life in the Korean Peninsula. Rock Paintings of Shulgan‑Tash Cave (Russia) Source: UNESCO These Ice‑Age cave paintings in the southern Urals feature ancient depictions of animals and abstract symbols, dating back 14,000 years. They offer an invaluable window into early human art and spirituality. Sardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Türkiye) Source: UNESCO Near ancient Sardis, this site includes monumental burial tumuli and urban underlines how it reflects royal Lydian funerary traditions and highlights the region's significance in Iron Age Anatolian history. 17th‑Century Port Royal (Jamaica) Source: UNESCO Once a notorious pirate haven, Port Royal was rich in colonial architecture and seafaring culture. Devastated by the 1692 earthquake, its submerged ruins preserve a dramatic chapter of Caribbean colonial life. Colonial Transisthmian Route (Panama) Source: UNESCO Stretching across the Isthmus of Panama, this historic route includes colonial roads, mule trails, and ports. It served early global transit between the Caribbean and Pacific, symbolising early trade and conquest. Palaces of King Ludwig II (Germany) Source: UNESCO Three 19th‑century Bavarian palaces—Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrenchiemsee—blend romantic aesthetics, technological daring, and fairy‑tale grandeur. They embody King Ludwig II's artistic vision and architectural extravagance. Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley (Iran) Source: UNESCO According to UNESCO reports,this valley holds Bronze‑to‑Iron Age forts, necropolises, and rock‑cut tombs in western Iran. It reveals early fortified settlements and fortified architecture from ancient highland communities. Wixarika Route to Wirikuta (Mexico) Source: UNESCO A sacred pilgrimage path for the Wixarika (Huichol) people, leading to the desert site of Wirikuta. This route supports peyote rituals, spiritual journeying, and Indigenous cultural continuity. Xixia Imperial Tombs (China) Source: UNESCO Near Yinchuan, these 11th–13th century mausoleums of the Tangut-led Xixia dynasty reveal sophisticated funerary architecture and a fusion of Buddhist rituals and regional power expressions. Yen Tu‑Vinh Nghiem‑Con Son Complex (Vietnam) Source: UNESCO A revered Buddhist landscape on Yen Tu Mountain, featuring temples, pagodas, and pilgrimage trails built between the 14th–18th centuries. UNESCO highlighted how it's central to Vietnam's spiritual heritage and medieval religious architecture. Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park (Brazil) Source: UNESCO This natural site combines vast limestone caves with prehistoric rock art and biodiversity-rich forests. Its geological formations and rare artworks represent both ecological and archaeological value. Coastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós (Guinea‑Bissau) Source: UNESCO An unspoiled archipelago of mangroves, sandbanks, and coastal wetlands. UNESCO reports that it supports endangered species such as manatees and serves as a key migratory bird habitat, revered for its ecological significance. Gola‑Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone) Source: UNESCO A rainforest corridor linking Gola Forest and Tiwai Island. This biodiversity hotspot shelters endangered species like chimpanzees and pygmy hippos and highlights community-led conservation efforts. Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil) Source: UNESCO Known for its rugged canyons, waterfalls, and endemic biodiversity. Its unique riverine landscape sustains diverse cerrado ecosystems and preserves both scenic and ecological importance. Møns Klint Chalk Cliffs (Denmark) Source: UNESCO Dramatic white chalk cliffs along the Baltic Sea, rich in Cretaceous‑era fossils. Their steep escarpments and delicate flora make them a geological marvel and scenic coastal treasure. Also read| Germany's iconic and most-visited fairytale castle is now officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site
