In recent years, heritage sites have found a place on everyone’s bucket list when it comes to travel. These places are seeing a tourism boost as more and more people are flocking to these places to witness rich and distinctive culture and heritage.
The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous heritage sites in world. (Photo credit: Unsplash)
New Delhi: Each country has its own set of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that showcase the history and culture of a particular region. The heritage sites can range from breathtaking national parks to waterbodies and of course, the monuments. In recent years, heritage sites have found a place on everyone’s bucket list when it comes to travel. These places are seeing a tourism boost as more and more people are flocking to these places to witness rich and distinctive culture and heritage. In this article, we will take a look at five heritage sites which you must visit at least once.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites you should visit once
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum which Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Notably, the Taj Maha also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Located in Agra, it is one of the most popular heritage sites in the world. The Taj Mahal complex has a mosque and a guest house and has formal gardens.
Hạ Long Bay
Located in northeast Vietnam, Hạ Long Bay is famous for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands which have rainforests on top. There are boat tours and sea kayak expeditions which would take the tourists past islands named for their shapes, including Teapot islets and Stone Dog. Also, the place is popular for rock climbing, hiking and scuba diving.
Yosemite National Park
Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is famous all over the world for its breathtaking natural beauty. It has giant, ancient sequoia trees, and Tunnel View, along with attractions like Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome. There are shops, restaurants, and lodging in Yosemite and there is also a Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery.
Great Wall of China
There was a popular hoax even a few years back that the Great Wall of China could be seen from space. The famous heritage site is a series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China. It was done to thwart the Eurasian Steppe’s nomadic groups. Its construction began from as early as the 7th century BC and was later expanded by many successive dynasties. The Ming dynasty is known for constructing the most popular sections of the wall.
Stonehenge
At first sight, the Stonehenge may look like just a block of stones. But in reality, it is a heritage site and a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in England’s Wiltshire. It has an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, topped by connecting horizontal lintel stones. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the United Kingdom and is a British cultural icon. In 1986, the site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. It is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage.
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