UNESCO World Heritage sites of China

The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City became the 55th UNESCO World Heritage site of China to be listed as a cultural site on 9th July 2019.  Adding an important landmark to the rich 5,000 years of Chinese civilization history.

The site is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province and date back 5,300 years. The core area of the ruins cover 14.3 square kilometers in northwest Hangzhou, is considered an important representation of early urban civilization, with rice-cultivating agriculture as the economic foundation.

The heritage site includes city ruins with palace and altar remains, 11 early-stage dams, and high-level cemetery sites. The Neolithic civilization was thought to last about 1,000 years until 4,300 years ago, according to archaeologists’ research.

The site is also known for its abundance of ceremonial jade, which shows a complex ritual system indicating a realm with a combined authority of deity and kingship.

A ceremonial artifact known as “cong” which is a jade quadrangle tube with a circular inner section is the most typical type of artifact being unearthed in Liangzhu. In 1986, the biggest known “cong” weighing 6.5 kilograms nicknamed the “King of Cong”, was found in Fanshan Cemetery in the city ruins.

Walls of the ruins were found in 2007, and its surrounding water conservancy system was discovered in 2015. They combined to unveil a massive infrastructure base, construction of which archaeologists estimate took 4,000 people working for a decade to build.

The top cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites of China include : Imperial Palaces of the Forbidden City Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang, The Great Wall in Beijing, Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Terracota Army Masoleum of the first Qin Emperor in Xian, Mt Emei & Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area in Chengdu,  Mount Wutai in Shanxi, Longmen Grottos in Luoyang and the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

In the scenic and natural heritage UNESCO World Heritage are :  Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries – Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains, Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in Yunnan, Danxia Landforms in Guizhou, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic in Sichuan, Mount Sanqingshan National Park in Jiangxi province, South China Karst area is about 550,000 square kilometers in size spreading over the provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan and Chongqing.

Choose a tour to the ancient archaeological UNESCO protected sites of China!