New Inscriptions in 2014

The 2014 WHC Session added 26 Sites bringing the total to 1006.

Battir

Battir
Photo by Solivagant.

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines - Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir comprises a series of agricultural valleys with stone terraces.

The villagers of Battir use a traditional method of agriculture, focused on olives, vines and fruit. Their ancestors built an unique irrigation system that utilizes man-made terraces with dry-stone walls. Battir's eight main clans take turns each day to water the village's crops.

Community Perspective: the site is easy to access as it lies close to Bethlehem; expect to spend 30-60 minutes walking around the area of what essentially is an ordinary village.

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Bolgar

Bolgar
Photo by Stanimir Morfov.

The Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex is an important historical and religious site for the Islamic Volga Tatars.

Within the confinement of an earthen wall and a moat are various monuments, including mosques, mausoleums, bathhouses, a palace and an orthodox church. Under the buildings lie the remains of medieval Bolgar, which was an important trading city on the route between Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It was the settlement of the Volga Bolgars, which existed between the 7th and the 15th centuries.

Community Perspective: It has a stunning location on the Volga river banks. The remains are quite spread out, so a visit should take 2-3 hours. You can get there by fast ferry (Thomas) or bus (Wojciech) (both these options may sell out quickly), a bus tour organized by Hotel Tatarstan (Els) or rental car (Alexander). The BlaBlaCar-option mentioned by Michael isn't valid anymore.

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Bursa and Cumalikizik

Bursa and Cumalikizik
Photo by Els Slots.

Bursa and Cumalikizik: The Birth of the Ottoman Empire comprises the empire's first capital and its emerging functions.

The reign of the Ottomans started here in 1326 and it remained important to them as a spiritual capital and burial location. They created an urban plan for Bursa which was shaped by kulliyes, building complexes centered around a mosque and managed by a waqf (charitable foundation). Nearby Cumalikizik shows the Ottoman impact on rural land schemes.

Community Perspective: Overall, Bursa is an enjoyable city. Among the inscribed highlights are the Ulu Cami, the Green Mosque complex and the Koza Han bazaar. It can be visited as a (long) day trip from Istanbul on public transport, see Nan’s review. The village of Cumalikizik is an odd addition but has some charm despite being overrun by tourists.

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Caves of Maresha and Bet Guvrin

Caves of Maresha and Bet Guvrin
Photo by Solivagant.

The Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the Caves consist of man-made subterranean complexes up to 2,000 years old.

In a layer of soft chalk some 475 cave complexes have been carved out during different periods and for different purposes such as quarries, storage places and tombs. The area was in use from the Iron Age to Persian, Judaic, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine antiquity.

Community Perspective: The site covers a large area and needs a car to get around. Highlights include the Columbarium Cave where doves were raised, the burial caves with paintings and inscriptions and the huge caverns of the Bell Caves.

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Corvey

Corvey
Photo by Els Slots.

The Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey comprise an early medieval Christian monastic complex.

The monastery has the oldest surviving example of a Westwerk, a massive, tower-like western front typical of Carolingian churches. It holds a rare cycle of mural paintings depicting classic mythological subjects applied to a religious building.

Community Perspective: Be aware that only the Westwerk is inscribed – this is just part of the current monastic complex; you may see all other visitors heading for the ‘Schloss’ but as a WH Traveller you need to go around the corner. The interior is only accessible from April – October and joining a tour is recommended. Els has elaborated somewhat on what a 'Westwerk' actually is.

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Decorated cave of Pont d'Arc

Decorated cave of Pont d'Arc
Photo by Luis Filipe Gaspar.

The Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche is an underground cave covered with the oldest known pictorial drawings in the world.

They date back to as early as the Aurignacian period (30,000 to 32,000 BP). Over 1,000 drawings have been found in a pristine state, which often are of high artistic and aesthetic quality. They display anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs, featuring many predatory animals. Other human evidence, fossilized remains, prints, and markings from a variety of animals, some of which are now extinct, were discovered in the cave as well.

Community Perspective: There’s a replica cave (the original has never been open to the general public), which most find well done although it’s not an exact replica. It’s also possible to walk up to the original cave entrance (see instructions in the reviews by Solivagant and Kbecq).

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Erbil Citadel

Erbil Citadel
Photo by Els Slots.

The Erbil Citadel comprises an Ottoman settlement built on top of a high, multi-layered 'tell'.

Erbil has a long settlement history, dating back to at least the Chalcolithic period and gaining prominence as Arbela during the Assyrian period. Most of the remaining structures within the citadel date from the 19th and 20th centuries, arranged along the Ottoman street plan.

Community Perspective: more impressive from the street level looking up, than when you enter. Els visited in 2014 and noticed that it has suffered from a long period of decay.

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Grand Canal

Grand Canal
Photo by Luis Filipe Gaspar.

The Grand Canal is the longest and oldest artificial waterway system in the world.

The canal runs along a north-south axis originating in Beijing, passing through eight provinces, and ending at the seaport of Ningbo. Successive dynasties used it for the unified administration of its territory. It was used for the transport of raw materials, grain, which was an imperial monopoly, and rice to feed the people and troops.

Community Perspective: There doesn’t seem to be a ‘best’ place to see the Grand Canal. Tongzhou (reviewed by Ian) lies conveniently close to Beijing, while Suzhou (Michael, GabLabCebu) also has very easy-to-access parts. Solivagant did a boat trip from Suzhou to Hangzhou in 1989, while Frederik zoomed in on the water towns and Juha focused on the inscribed granaries.

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Great Himalayan National Park

Great Himalayan National Park
Photo by Jarek Pokrzywnicki.

The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area is an undisturbed habitat in the ecologically distinct Western Himalayas.

The conservation area covers Great Himalayan National Park plus the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries. Its high-altitude forests and alpine meadows hold diverse flora with the greatest concentration of medicinal plants known for all of the Himalayas. It is the habitat of globally threatened mammals such as Snow Leopard and Himalayan Brown Bear, and globally threatened birds including the Western Tragopan pheasant.

Community Perspective: Jarek is the only reviewer so far, having reached the core zone and providing practical information.

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Historic Jeddah

Historic Jeddah
Photo by Michael Novins.

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah, has been a major port for both tradesmen and pilgrims.

Located at the Red Sea shore, it was in a favourable position for Indian Ocean trade routes, especially since the construction of the Suez Canal. Also, over 100,000 pilgrims arrive here yearly for their pilgrimage to Mecca. In the historic town, most of the remaining old buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable are the typical Roshan Tower houses and Ribats, fortified lodges for merchants and pilgrims.

Community Perspective: The “tower houses” are the main attraction here and of those the Al-Naseef House can be visited as it is a museum. Solivagant and Martina visited 20 years apart but have similar things to say about the site's overall condition and position within the sprawling city.

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Mount Hamiguitan

Mount Hamiguitan
Photo by Boj Capati.

The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is a diverse mountain ecosystem with a high number of endemic plant and animal species.

The mountain range is home to a number of globally threatened and endemic species, such as the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and the tropical pitcher plant Nepenthes hamiguitanensis. It lies in a semi-isolated area in the south of Mindanao Island, which has led to a high level of endemicity.

Community Perspective: Hamiguitan’s visitor center can be visited as a day trip from Davao, the park itself is a strict reserve that only sparsely allows scientists and climbers.

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Namhansanseong

Namhansanseong
Photo by Kyle Magnuson.

Namhansanseong is a mountain fortress that shows a synthesis of the new defensive military engineering concepts of the period.

The fortress was designed as an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty in the early 17th century. Its architecture is a fusion of Korean, Chinese, Japanese and European military fortification concepts, designed for the use for the first time of Western firearms. Within the walls were military, civil and religious buildings, and it was manned by Buddhist monk-soldiers.

Community Perspective: it’s an easy day trip from Seoul by metro and bus, and you probably will meet “hundreds of fully equipped local hikers from all ages”. The lovely surroundings and views are the main reason to visit. Kyle hiked the entirety of the wall and visited the outer portions, Clyde visited the serene Buddhist temples of Mangwolsa and Janggyeongsa, and GabLabCebu the Yeonjubong Outwork, culminating in the watchtower at Yeonjubong Peak. The second location (“two Sinnam advanced defensive posts”) so far is unreviewed.

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Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta
Photo by Els Slots.

The Okavango Delta is a vast area of swamps and seasonally flooded grasslands that attract large numbers of wildlife.

This inland delta has no outlet to the sea, being formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough in the dry Kalahari desert. The annual flood peaks between June and August, when the delta swells to three times its permanent size and attracts animals from afar. The area is home to some 130 mammal species, such as white and black rhinoceros, elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard and lechwe antelope. The population sizes are especially noteworthy, including the world’s largest population of elephants. It is also an Important Bird Area.

Community Perspective: generally considered an expensive site when you want to have the full experience and visit for multiple days: “it is going to involve a safari company, probably a flight in and out on a small plane and a stay at a “Luxury lodge” and/or the rental of a 4x4”, but Solivagant managed to do it somewhat budget-friendly. Els enjoyed the helicopter flight and the walking safaris, and Svein describes visiting from the Okavango Panhandle.

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Pergamon

Pergamon
Photo by Els Slots.

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape shows remains of the Hellenistic Attalid, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

Pergamon was built into the slopes of Kale Hill and developed into a full acropolis during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Anatolian Kybele Sanctuary represents the continual use of the site. The city eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Asia known for its Asclepieion healing centre.

Community Perspective: The site in and around the modern city of Bergama comprises 9 locations. Jarek has covered them all, and zooms in on the tumuli and the (inaccessible?) Kybele sanctuary. Others like Solivagant, Juha and Clyde have focused their review on the main component, the Acropolis. Nan has described getting there on public transport.

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Poverty Point

Poverty Point
Photo by Els Slots.

The Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point comprise a pre-Columbian archeological landscape created by a population of hunter-fisher-gatherers.

The earthen mound complex consists of five mounds and six concentric earthen ridges. Set at a natural elevation, it was used for ceremonial and residential purposes by the vanished Poverty Point culture, which centered in the Lower Mississippi Valley between 3,700 and 3,100 BP. Mound A is the tallest of the constructions at 22m, and its size was only surpassed by the 2,000 years younger Cahokia Mounds.

Community Perspective: “extremely out of the way and not near anything”, you’ll find a small museum and a trail along the mounds. Visits generally take 2 hours, but if you aim to be there on an “archaeological day” you can have a try at Atlatl (spear-throwing) as well. The best way to appreciate the mounds is to look at an aerial view - either on the site's website or Google Maps.  

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Pyu Ancient Cities

Pyu Ancient Cities
Photo by Clyde.

The Pyu Ancient Cities comprise the archaeological remains of a group of city-states, founded as part of the southward migration by the Tibeto-Burman-speaking Pyu people.

Their cities of Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra are stretched out alongside the River Ayeyarwady. The settlements were fortified and central palace citadels were constructed. The Pyu culture was heavily influenced by trade with India, importing Buddhism as well as other cultural, architectural and political concepts. Each of the cities had imposing brick memorial stupas and extensive monastic quarters.

Community Perspective: Clyde describes Sri Ksetra (with one stupa "having the shape of a woman's breast"), while Alexander (he found “the site staff in 'UNESCO preparation mode”) and Els (“low heaps of brick in farmland will get few people excited”) visited Halin.

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Qhapaq Ñan

Qhapaq Ñan
Photo by Els Slots.

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System, is the communication and trade network developed by the Inca Empire.

The infrastructure needed exceptional technological and engineering skills in a difficult geographical setting in rural and remote parts of the Andes. The network supported the Inca Empire’s integration and was a symbol of its strength.

Community Perspective: As a serial transnational site comprising over 720km of road and 273 archaeological sites, it is hard to determine whether you have 'seen' it. Even more so as it is unclear whether the so-called Associated sites are inscribed as well. The latter include sites that are also WHS in their own right (Cusco, Tiwanaku). The main approach chosen is checking out a few locations near Lima or Cuzco and looking for traces of infrastructure (described well in Clyde’s review). Additionally, Allan has visited locations in Chile, and Els Ingapirca in Ecuador.

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Rani-ki-Vav

Rani-ki-Vav
Photo by Carlo Sarion.

Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat is the most developed and ornate example of this type of subterranean water architecture in India.

Stepwells are wells or ponds in which the water may be reached by descending a set of steps. These were sites for collecting water and socialising, but also simultaneously hold great spiritual significance. Rani-ki-Vav was built in the 11th century. It has more than 500 figurative sculptures with mostly religious and mythical themes, divided across seven galleries.

Community Perspective: “A fantastic, hidden gem”. Best visited on a combined day trip with the Sun Temple in Modhera by taxi from Ahmedabad.

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Shahr-i Sokhta

Shahr-i Sokhta
Photo by Jarek Pokrzywnicki.

Shahr-i Sokhta is the archaeological site of a Bronze Age urban settlement.

This mud brick city was one of the first complex societies in the region and an example of early urban planning. The remains of a monumental area, residential areas, metal workshops and a graveyard have been preserved due to the dry desert climate. The city appeared around 3200 BCE, was burnt down a number of times and finally was abandoned in 1800 BCE after changes in water courses.

Community Perspective: Located in the far east of Iran, near the Pakistani border, this site isn’t often visited. Jarek did so in 2010 and gives tips for visiting on public transport. Wojciech drove there very swiftly in 2018 and found it a pretty drive through the Lut Desert. They agree on “take plenty of water as there is no shadow at all”.

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Silk Roads Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor

Silk Roads Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor
Photo by Els Slots.

Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor comprises a heritage route of some 5,000 km linking Chang'an in central China with the heartland of Central Asia.

The network facilitated extensive cultural and economic exchange, resulting in the development of towns, forts, water management systems, caravanserai, and Buddhist and other religious buildings. It functioned between the 2nd century BCE and the 16th century CE.

Community Perspective: as a serial site with 35 locations spread wide across 3 countries, the main ‘problem’ is which one to choose. The easiest are in Xi’an, as well as the double-inscribed sites Longmen Grottoes and Mogao Caves. Alternative locations covered by reviewers are Yumen Pass, Burana, Talgar and Suyab - Ak Beshim, and Yar City.

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Stevns Klint

Stevns Klint
Photo by Els Slots.

Stevns Klint illustrates the impact of an asteroid that created the global mass extinction of species some 67 million years ago, known as the Chicxulub event.

These cliffs show high-quality exposure of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary section: the border is visible as a reddish layer in the strata. Scientists here developed a new theory that the mass extinction that ended the Age of Dinosaurs wasn’t caused by extensive volcanism in India, but was due to the impact of a giant asteroid. The cliffs of Stevns Klint are also rich in fossils from before and after the K/T boundary layer.

Community Perspective: Only die-hard WHS collectors come here for anything else than the coastal panoramas and ice cream: it is to look at that one narrow sediment layer. The Kalklandet app is needed to help ‘see’ it. Ian and Clyde managed to find some fossils too. Claire reports that the small onsite museum now has been closed (2019) and it seems that “whoever is in charge of managing this site has lost interest in it”.

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Stone Spheres of the Diquís

Stone Spheres of the Diquís
Photo by Esteban Cervantes Jimenez.

The Precolumbian chiefdom settlements with stone spheres of the Diquís are four archaeological sites containing mysterious ball-shaped stone objects.

The settlements date from the Chiriqui Period (800-1500 CE), during which a hierarchical society developed in southern Costa Rica. The area contains artificial mounds, paved areas and burial sites. The man-made stone spheres are rare in their perfection and large size (up to 2.57m diameter). The sites were rediscovered, and often damaged in the process, in the 1930s as the United Fruit Company was clearing the jungle for banana plantations

Community Perspective: Finca 6 is the main location of the four (it also has a small museum), located at an active banana plantation, and the only one really visited and reviewed so far.

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Tomioka Silk Mill

Tomioka Silk Mill
Photo by Carlo Sarion.

The Tomioka Silk Mill is an early industrial complex that represents the spreading of Western technologies during Japan's Meiji period and Japan’s entry into the modern industrialised world.

The mill was dedicated to the mass production of raw silk and – due to the import of French machinery and industrial expertise – played an important role in the renewal of sericulture and the Japanese silk industry. Its industrial architectural ensemble combines both foreign and local elements.

Community Perspective: this former factory is well-geared to receive visitors, most of the original equipment was preserved and the machines are even covered by plastic. It’s an easy day trip from Tokyo, but be aware that the railway line from Takasaki to Tomioka is private and thus not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

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Trang An

Trang An
Photo by Els Slots.

The Trang An Landscape Complex is a visually spectacular mountainous karst area with numerous caves that have provided shelter to humans for over 30,000 years.

The site shows a large variety of karst features, with a high-quality landscape of karst towers. They are covered in rainforests and surrounded by rivers, caves, enclosed depressions (with subterranean waterways) and sacred places for the local population.

Community Perspective: It’s a beautiful area. The standard thing to do is a boat tour which will take you through small waterways, into caves, and to temples. You can also cycle between several of the shrines.

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Van Nellefabriek

Van Nellefabriek
Photo by Els Slots.

The Van Nellefabriek is an industrial complex that has become an icon of Modernism and symbolizes the commercial history of the international trade port of Rotterdam.

Designed in the late 1920s as an 'Ideal Factory', its main components are steel and glass to create an environment of light, air, and space. The complex lies on the banks of a canal. The former factory was used for the processing, packaging, and dispatching of transported goods coming from all over the world. There are three main buildings at the site: the tobacco factory, tea factory, and coffee factory, plus a series of smaller functional buildings.

Community Perspective: best viewed from the outside to take in its architectural value, and the architect-guides do a good job explaining the history. The interior is practically empty and has lost its factory feel   - nothing reminds us of the actual tea, coffee, and tobacco production, the smells, the working conditions. If you have not managed to secure a guided tour, you may be able to sneak in to have a closer look at the exterior.

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Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont

Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont
Photo by Els Slots.

The Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato is a harmonious landscape of cultivated hillsides, hilltop villages and other built elements.

It is one of the most ancient wine-producing regions in the world and the winemaking tradition has slowly evolved over time. Since the 19th century, it has become one of the main centers of the international wine trade, producing well-known wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Asti Spumante and Canelli Spumante.

Community Perspective: Clyde has written the ultimate review of this site, having visited all 6 locations in quite some detail. Other reviewers don’t appreciate these vineyards that much. Don’t bother only going to the town of Nizza Monferrato, as Els and Nan discovered.

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Extended Sites in 2014

Białowieża Forest

Białowieża Forest
Photo by Els Slots.

Białowieża Forest is an ancient woodland, the only remaining part of the immense forest which once spread across the European Plain.

Pine, beech, oak, alder and spruce are found in the (partly) old-growth forests, and the many dead trees make it important for the conservation of fungi. These little disturbed forests are home to viable populations of large mammals such as wolf and lynx, and the European Bison was reintroduced here in 1929 and now forms the species’ largest free-roaming population.

Community Perspective: the site straddles the Polish-Belarusian border and crossing it here was relatively easy before the current crisis in diplomatic relations. The Polish side is covered by Solivagant, who clarifies which elements are part of the core zone and which aren’t, by Nan who describes a visit to the museum area and the Bison Reserve, and by Els and Clyde who entered the Strict Reserve with a guide. Tips for the Belarusian side are provided by Jakob, who cycled there from Poland, and Tamas who ended up at a “dodgy Sovjet era museum, with grey and brown displays of the local flora and fauna, and a gloomy zoo”.

Szucs Tamas Hungary - 25-Mar-11

Białowieża Forest

Belovezhskaya Pushcha was the greatest disappointment ever as a WH site. We have visited Belorussia as a part of a Baltic trip in August 2007, the first stop was Brest, the ideal jump off point to visit the national park. But the problems begun much earlier. Normally every trip begins with scrutinizing all the possible on-line (and some off-line) resources on the designated topic. Obviously the quality and quantity of resources vary. A WH site in Europe can have an elaborate website with all the necessary information , and there are a lot of reviews on different touristic and scientific sites that help the wishful traveler where to go and what to do. Belovezhskaya Pushcha was a black hole

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Calakmul

Calakmul
Photo by Els Slots.

The Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche comprises Mayan sites from the Late Classic period, located at the core of the second-largest expanse of tropical forests in America.

Calakmul was the seat of one of the most powerful Maya dynasties and developed over the period from ca. 500 BCE to 1000 CE. It was surrounded by numerous other settlements, roads, water management features and agricultural terraces. Monumental architecture was built in two different traditions. Many objects like stelae, murals and burial tombs are still in situ and show hieroglyphic inscriptions. The forests are abundant in wildlife and are part of the ecological corridor of the Selva Maya.

Community Perspective: Long before it was extended to include natural criteria as well, our reviewers were taken by the site’s jungle setting and the abundance of monkeys. Climbing on some of the pyramids is still allowed here, and the carved stelae are a highlight. Read Jarek’s warning if you plan on arriving without your own (rental) car.

anthony Sun USA - 12-Dec-09

Two years ago in December of 2007, my family and I took a driving tour of the Yucatan in Mexico. Calakmul is certainly the highlight. We spent an evening in the town of Campeche and drove to Calakmul the next morning. The drive goes through pristine forests and after you turn off the highway, you are entering the Calakmul Biosphere. You can definitely notice the bird sounds and we even had to stop to let a family of wild turkeys cross the road.

The Mayan city of Calakmul is less restored than Chichen or Uxmal and so much more in its natural setting. There are no crowds of tourists unlike Chichen (thousands of tourist come to Chichen from Cancun by the bus loads just for the day) and we only saw a couple of other families there that day.

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South China Karst

South China Karst
Photo by Els Slots.

South China Karst comprises one of the two great karst regions of the world.

This huge karst area represents the variety of karst landforms in the humid (sub)tropics. Shilin is regarded as the world’s best example of pinnacle karst (stone forests), while Libo Karst is renowned for its cone karst and Guilin Karst for its tower karst landscape.

Community Perspective: The 12 components are spread across 4 provinces. Reviews so far have focused on Shilin, the Stone Forest (Solivagant, Els, Frederik) and Guilin Karst with its spectacular scenery along the Li River (Kyle, Nan).

Solivagant UK - 01-May-05

South China Karst

With the inscription of “S China Karst” in 2007 the WHS list contained at least 12 (??) examples of Karst scenery (eroded limestone/dolorite). Since around 12% of continental land worldwide is Karst that might not be so surprising, especially as such landscapes can be extremely interesting and attractive. Enormous areas of Southern China are Karst and, in my mind at least, such scenery is also very “Chinese” in atmosphere because of its use in Chinese painting and garden design. So perhaps it is not unreasonable for yet another Karst site to be inscribed - but which of the many possible examples should China have chosen?

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Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea
Photo by Els Slots.

The Wadden Sea is a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands, rich in biological diversity

The area is typified by extensive tidal mud flats, deeper tidal creeks and the transitional zones between the sea, the freshwater environment and the surrounding (is)lands. Its coastal wetlands are considered one of the most important areas for migratory birds in the world, with an average of 10-12 million passing through it each year. 

Community Perspective: the site comprises 7 components and different national parks (the bigger islands mostly aren’t included). Reviews are available for places in the Netherlands (John, Clyde, Chris, Els), Germany (John, Ian, Michael, Nan) and Denmark (John). The ‘proper’ way of exploring the Wadden is via a mud hike like the ones Kbecq, Assif and Nan reported on.

John booth New Zealand - 16-Oct-10

Wadden Sea

This site covers almost 10,000 square kilometers, and stretches for 400km along the north coast of Europe from the Netherlands to the Danish border. To get an appreciation of this site I visited it at several diverse locations in the Netherlands and Germany:

Texel Island - reached by ferry from Den Helder, then by bus to Oudeschild, a small port facing the Wadden Sea. From here there are excursions by boat to see the wildlife on the sandbanks.

Terschelling Island - reached by ferry from Harlingen. From the port on the island I walked to Green Beach to see the bird life there, but saw more from the deck of the slow ferry on the way back to Harlingen.

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