Khangchendzonga National Park
Khangchendzonga National Park is a mixed site known for its glacial mountains and sacred cultural landscape. This Himalayan site includes the 8586m high peak of Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest in the world.
The landscape features glaciers and glacial lakes, and is the habitat of species such as the snow leopard, red panda and Asian black bear.
For the local Sikkimese population, the area has important sacred significance. Both shamanic and Tibetan Buddhist traditions are kept alive in this cultural landscape.
Map of Khangchendzonga National Park
Legend
- ●● Mixed
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Site Info
Full name: Khangchendzonga National Park
Unesco ID: 1513
- Country:
- India
Inscribed: 2016
Type: Mixed
Criteria: 3 6 7 10
- Categories:
- Natural landscape - Mountain
- Religious structure - Buddhist
Site History
- 2016 - Inscribed
Site Links
Unesco Website
Official Website
In the News
- Sikkim intends to start 15 days trekking trails to World Heritage 'Kanchendzonga National Park' (10.10.16)
Connections
The site has 18 connections. Show all
Ecology
- Snow leopard
- Bears: Asian black bear
Geography
- Himalaya
- Territorial Highest points: The 8586m peak Khangchendzonga is the highest in India
- Glaciers: Several, including the 26 km long Zemu Glacier
- On National Border: KNP shares approximately 45 kms of international border with Nepal and a shorter one with China
- Highest cultural WHS: 8586m
- Highest (over 5000m): 8586m high peak of Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest in the world
- World's most prominant mountains: Kangchenjunga 29th most prominent (3922 m)
Religion and Belief
- Tibetan Buddhism
- Sacred Mountains: sacred geography of the nominated property include: lakes, caves, sacred rocks, and sacred peaks (AB ev)
- Living indigenous religions: several Sikkimese ethnic groups and a multilayered syncretic religious tradition (AB ev)
Timeline
- Built in the 8th century: The sacred Buddhist importance of the place begins in the 8th century with Guru Rinpoche’s initiation of the Buddhist sanctity of the region (AB ev)
Trivia
- Minority communities: Lepcha (probably indigenous) and Bhutias (from Tibet)
- Greatest Altitude Variations: elevational range of 1,220m to 8,586m above sea level (asl) within a relatively small area (AB ev)
WHS on Other Lists
- Biodiversity hotspot: Eastern Himalaya, Nepal
World Heritage Process
- Cultural landscape not recognized: AB eval states "ICOMOS recommends that Khangchedzonga National Park, India, be inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural landscape on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (vi)."
Visitors
8 community members have visited Khangchendzonga National Park.