An Outline of Traditional An Outline of Traditional Chinese CultureChinese Culture

World Cultural and Natural World Cultural and Natural HeritagesHeritages

World Cultural and Natural World Cultural and Natural Heritages in ChinaHeritages in China

China has a vast territories, abundant China has a vast territories, abundant natural resources, with many wonderful natural resources, with many wonderful landscapes and treasured historic landscapes and treasured historic sites. A number of these form part of sites. A number of these form part of the World Heritage List, a source of the World Heritage List, a source of great national pride to the Chinese great national pride to the Chinese people.people.

China started to submit to the World China started to submit to the World Heritage List in 1987. Up to June 2007, Heritage List in 1987. Up to June 2007, among the over 800 World Heritage among the over 800 World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO, China has 35 Sites listed by UNESCO, China has 35 listed, ranking the third, trailing Spain listed, ranking the third, trailing Spain and Italy. and Italy.

World Cultural and Natural HeritageWorld Cultural and Natural Heritage—Mountains—Mountains

Mount Taishan was listed in 1987 by Mount Taishan was listed in 1987 by UNESCO as a Dual Cultural and Natural UNESCO as a Dual Cultural and Natural Heritage.Heritage.

China’s spectacular mountain China’s spectacular mountain landscapes attract many tourists home landscapes attract many tourists home and abroad. and abroad.

Among them, Mount Taishan, Mount Among them, Mount Taishan, Mount Huangshan, Mount Lushan and Mount Huangshan, Mount Lushan and Mount Wuyi are most worth visiting.Wuyi are most worth visiting.

Mount TaishanMount Taishan

There are five sacred There are five sacred mountains in China:mountains in China:

Mount Taishan (Mount Taishan ( 泰山泰山 ), ), Mount Huashan (Mount Huashan ( 华山华山 ), ), Mount Hengshan (Mount Hengshan ( 恒山恒山 ), ), Mount Hengshan (Mount Hengshan ( 衡山衡山 ))，， and Mount Songshan and Mount Songshan ((嵩山嵩山 ).).

In Mount Taishan, In Mount Taishan, nature and culture nature and culture penetrate into penetrate into each other. each other.

It is the symbol of It is the symbol of spiritual culture of spiritual culture of China.China.

the Sunrise in the East

Mount TaishanMount Taishan’’s four s four spectacular viewsspectacular views

the Sunset in the West

the Yonder Yellow River Resembling a Golden Belt

the Sea of Clouds like Jade Plates

Mount HuangshanMount Huangshan

Mount Huangshan was listed in 1990 by Mount Huangshan was listed in 1990 by UNESCO as a Dual Cultural and Natural UNESCO as a Dual Cultural and Natural Heritage. Heritage.

The three main peaks, the Lotus Peak, The three main peaks, the Lotus Peak, the Tiandu Peak and the Guangming the Tiandu Peak and the Guangming peak, are about 1,800 metres above sea peak, are about 1,800 metres above sea level.level.

Three Main PeaksThree Main Peaks

the Lotus Peak

the Tiandu Peak

the Guangming peak

Mount LushanMount Lushan

Mount Lushan was added to the list of Mount Lushan was added to the list of World Cultural Heritage in 1996 by World Cultural Heritage in 1996 by UNESCO WHC. UNESCO WHC.

The mountain is a well-known scenic The mountain is a well-known scenic area, summer resort and place for area, summer resort and place for convalescent (convalescent ( 恢复期的恢复期的 ) patients. ) patients.

Three Water Falls Three Water Falls

Hanpo PassHanpo Pass

Su Dongpo, a brilliant poet of the Song Su Dongpo, a brilliant poet of the Song Dynasty, queried in one of his poems: Dynasty, queried in one of his poems:

“ “How could one tell what Mount How could one tell what Mount Lushan really looks like when one is in Lushan really looks like when one is in the midst of the mountain all along?” the midst of the mountain all along?”

Mount EmeiMount Emei

Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area were listed in 1996 Buddha Scenic Area were listed in 1996 by UNESCO WHC as a Dual Cultural by UNESCO WHC as a Dual Cultural and Natural Heritage.and Natural Heritage.

The mountain stretches more than 200 The mountain stretches more than 200 km from south to north. km from south to north.

Its main peak, Its main peak, Wanfo Top (Wanfo Top ( 万佛万佛顶顶 : the summit of : the summit of Ten Thousand Ten Thousand Buddhas), is Buddhas), is about 3,099 about 3,099 metres above sea metres above sea level. level.

At the summit of At the summit of the Mount Emei is the Mount Emei is the monastery the monastery known as the known as the Golden Summit. Golden Summit.

Mount Emei is a well-known natural Mount Emei is a well-known natural museum with more than 3,000 species museum with more than 3,000 species of plants and 2,000 types of animals of plants and 2,000 types of animals including groups of monkeys that including groups of monkeys that appear on the mountain roads.appear on the mountain roads.

The Giant Buddha The Giant Buddha of Leshan 30 km of Leshan 30 km west of Mount west of Mount Emei is the largest Emei is the largest Buddha in the Buddha in the world. world.

Mount WuyiMount Wuyi

Mount Wuyi was listed in 1999 by Mount Wuyi was listed in 1999 by UNESCO WHC as a Dual Cultural and UNESCO WHC as a Dual Cultural and Natural Heritage. Natural Heritage.

Located south of Wuyishan City, Fujian Located south of Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, Mount Wuyi has what is Province, Mount Wuyi has what is probably the largest, most typical and probably the largest, most typical and best-preserved subtropical virgin forests best-preserved subtropical virgin forests in the world. It is a typical rosy cloud in the world. It is a typical rosy cloud landform (landform (丹霞地貌丹霞地貌 ). ).

This scenic area includes one stream, This scenic area includes one stream, seven shoals (seven shoals ( 滩滩 ), nine ponds, 11 ), nine ponds, 11 ravines (ravines ( 涧涧 ), 13 springs, 36 peaks, 61 ), 13 springs, 36 peaks, 61 rocks, 72 caves, 99 cliffs, and 108 scenic rocks, 72 caves, 99 cliffs, and 108 scenic spots.spots.

World Natural Heritage—Scenic World Natural Heritage—Scenic SpotsSpots

Since the nineties of the last century, Since the nineties of the last century, there have been four natural sites listed there have been four natural sites listed as world natural heritage: Wulingyuan as world natural heritage: Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Huang Long scenic and Interest Area, Huang Long scenic and Historic Interest Area and Sichuan Historic Interest Area and Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.Giant Panda Sanctuaries.

Wulingyuan (Wulingyuan ( 武陵源武陵源 ))

The Wulingyuan Natural Resort of The Wulingyuan Natural Resort of Zhangjiajie city in the northwest of Zhangjiajie city in the northwest of Hunan Province was listed as a world Hunan Province was listed as a world natural Heritage in 1992 by UNESCO.natural Heritage in 1992 by UNESCO.

The area consists of three parts: The area consists of three parts: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve and Natural Resource Reserve and Tianzishan Natural Resource Reserve.Tianzishan Natural Resource Reserve.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest AreaInterest Area

The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic InterestHistoric Interest Area was put on the Area was put on the World Natural Heritages list in 1992 by World Natural Heritages list in 1992 by UNESCO.UNESCO.

The Jiuzhaigou Valley is a narrow strip of The Jiuzhaigou Valley is a narrow strip of lowland, 400 km long, in the Minshan (lowland, 400 km long, in the Minshan ( 岷岷山山 ) Mountain Range in Nanping County ) Mountain Range in Nanping County in northeast Sichuan Province. It got its in northeast Sichuan Province. It got its name because there are nine Tibetan name because there are nine Tibetan villages in the valley. villages in the valley.

Its six main scenic sites are Long Sea, Its six main scenic sites are Long Sea, Sword Rock, Cataract (Sword Rock, Cataract ( 诺日朗瀑布诺日朗瀑布 ), Shu ), Shu Zheng Lakes, Zha Ru Lakes and Black Sea. Zheng Lakes, Zha Ru Lakes and Black Sea.

Its wonderful scenes of green lakes, Its wonderful scenes of green lakes, overlapping falls, colorful forests, snowy overlapping falls, colorful forests, snowy peaks and its Tibetan life are of peaks and its Tibetan life are of worldwide renown.worldwide renown.

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest AreaArea

The Huanglong Scenic and Historic The Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area in Songpan county of Interest Area in Songpan county of Sichuan Province was put on the World Sichuan Province was put on the World Natural Heritage list in 1992 by UNESCO.Natural Heritage list in 1992 by UNESCO.

Huanglong is famed for its colorful Huanglong is famed for its colorful pools, snow-capped mountains, deep pools, snow-capped mountains, deep forests, waterfalls and diversified forests, waterfalls and diversified cultures.cultures.

Huanglong wins its fame for its magic Huanglong wins its fame for its magic landscape of lime formations, made up of landscape of lime formations, made up of 3,400 multi-coloured ponds, interlaced 3,400 multi-coloured ponds, interlaced along the valley. along the valley.

Sichuan Giant Panda SanctuariesSichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries

The Sichuan Giant Panda The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries was listed to be the Sanctuaries was listed to be the world natural heritage in 2006 by world natural heritage in 2006 by UNESCO. UNESCO.

The panda habitat in Sichuan covers The panda habitat in Sichuan covers 9,245 sq km including Lying-Dragon, 9,245 sq km including Lying-Dragon, Mountain Four Sisters, gold mountain Mountain Four Sisters, gold mountain ranges as well as 12 cities and counties.ranges as well as 12 cities and counties.

Thirty percent of the wild pandas in the Thirty percent of the wild pandas in the world are living there, which makes it the world are living there, which makes it the largest and most intact wild panda largest and most intact wild panda habitat in the world.habitat in the world.

World Cultural HeritagesWorld Cultural Heritages

Famous GrottosFamous Grottos Famous Ancient CitiesFamous Ancient Cities Yin Xu (Anyang)Yin Xu (Anyang)

Famous GrottosFamous Grottos

With the wide spread of Buddhism in China in With the wide spread of Buddhism in China in the second century, grotto arts were the second century, grotto arts were introduced to China from India, and developed introduced to China from India, and developed rapidly between the second and fourth rapidly between the second and fourth centuries.centuries.

Grottos were carved in cliff faces in various Grottos were carved in cliff faces in various places, particularly in Northern China. places, particularly in Northern China.

The Yungang Grottos in Shanxi Province, the The Yungang Grottos in Shanxi Province, the Dunhuang Caves in Gansu Province and the Dunhuang Caves in Gansu Province and the Longmen Grottos in Henan Province are called Longmen Grottos in Henan Province are called the three most important grottos in China. the three most important grottos in China.

Mogao CavesMogao Caves

The Mogao Caves in The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang were put Dunhuang were put on the list of the on the list of the World Cultural World Cultural Heritage in 1987 by Heritage in 1987 by UNESCO.UNESCO.

It is the greatest and It is the greatest and most consummate (most consummate ( 完完整的整的 ) gallery of ) gallery of Buddhist art in the Buddhist art in the world.world.

The Caves each measures 1,600 meters The Caves each measures 1,600 meters long and 50 meters high, and is close-long and 50 meters high, and is close-packed like a beehive (packed like a beehive ( 蜂窝蜂窝 ). There are ). There are 492 caves with the 1,000 year old murals 492 caves with the 1,000 year old murals and coloured statues which were and coloured statues which were completed in different periods such as completed in different periods such as the South and the North Dynasties, Sui, the South and the North Dynasties, Sui, Tang, the Five Dynasties, Song, West Xia Tang, the Five Dynasties, Song, West Xia and Yuan Dynasty. and Yuan Dynasty.

Longmen GrottosLongmen Grottos

The Longmen Grottos was put on the list of the The Longmen Grottos was put on the list of the World Cultural Heritage in 2000 by UNESCO.World Cultural Heritage in 2000 by UNESCO.

The Longmen Grottos are situated on the bank The Longmen Grottos are situated on the bank of the Yi River in Luoyang City, Henan of the Yi River in Luoyang City, Henan Province. Province.

They were carved from the Northern Wei to the They were carved from the Northern Wei to the Song Dynasty, spanning more than 400 years. Song Dynasty, spanning more than 400 years. There are all together more than 97,000 statues There are all together more than 97,000 statues of Buddha, more than 1,300 caves, over 3,600 of Buddha, more than 1,300 caves, over 3,600 inscriptions and titled tablets in the site.inscriptions and titled tablets in the site.

The Longmen Grottos is an outdoor art The Longmen Grottos is an outdoor art museum of stone carvings and has the museum of stone carvings and has the highest number of inscribed stone highest number of inscribed stone tablets among China’s grottos. tablets among China’s grottos.

Lushena Buddha (Lushena Buddha ( 卢舍那佛卢舍那佛 ), the largest of ), the largest of the statues, is 17.14 meters high, and the the statues, is 17.14 meters high, and the smallest one is a mere-2-cm-high. Two caves, smallest one is a mere-2-cm-high. Two caves, the Guyang Cave (the Guyang Cave ( 古阳洞古阳洞 ) and the Binyang ) and the Binyang Cave (Cave ( 宾阳洞宾阳洞 ), contain the most ), contain the most representative statues.representative statues.

Yungang GrottosYungang Grottos

The Yungang Grottos were put on the list The Yungang Grottos were put on the list of the World Cultural Heritage in 2001 by of the World Cultural Heritage in 2001 by UNESCO WHC.UNESCO WHC.

Located 16 km west of Datong City with Located 16 km west of Datong City with the northern cliff faces Wuzhou Hills, the the northern cliff faces Wuzhou Hills, the Yungang grottos were hewn (Yungang grottos were hewn ( 凿凿 ) out of ) out of cliff-sides in a honeycomb pattern, cliff-sides in a honeycomb pattern, stretching for one km from East to West.stretching for one km from East to West.

They contain China’s largest and earliest They contain China’s largest and earliest stone sculpture. The sculptural works at stone sculpture. The sculptural works at Yungang are noted for their fleshy, Yungang are noted for their fleshy, vigorous features and rich variety. vigorous features and rich variety.

The biggest one in the grottos is 17 The biggest one in the grottos is 17 metres high, while the smallest is only metres high, while the smallest is only several cm. The statues of all kinds are several cm. The statues of all kinds are vivid and lifelike. vivid and lifelike.

Famous Ancient CitiesFamous Ancient Cities

Old town of LijiangOld town of Lijiang Old Town of Lijiang was put on the World Old Town of Lijiang was put on the World

Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO in 1997.Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO in 1997. Also called Dayan Town, the Old Town of Also called Dayan Town, the Old Town of

Lijiang is founded in a large Naxi (Lijiang is founded in a large Naxi ( 纳西纳西 ) ) settlement first built during the Southern settlement first built during the Southern Song Dynasty some eight centuries ago in Song Dynasty some eight centuries ago in Yunnan Province. Yunnan Province.

Lijiang’s fame comes from the Dongba Lijiang’s fame comes from the Dongba ((东巴东巴 ) culture of Naxi ethnic group and ) culture of Naxi ethnic group and the Mosuo (the Mosuo (摩挲摩挲 ) matrilineal family. It is ) matrilineal family. It is an intact ancient city with a long history, an intact ancient city with a long history, inhabited chiefly by the Naxi ethnic inhabited chiefly by the Naxi ethnic group. It is nicknamed the “Oriental group. It is nicknamed the “Oriental Venice”. Most of the buildings in the Venice”. Most of the buildings in the town were made of wood and tiles, town were made of wood and tiles, extremely elegant and comfortable.extremely elegant and comfortable.

City of PingyaoCity of Pingyao

Ancient City of Pingyao was put on the World Ancient City of Pingyao was put on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO WHC in 1997.Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO WHC in 1997.

Ping Yao is a small town in central Shanxi Ping Yao is a small town in central Shanxi Province. It was built in the Zhou Dynasty. Province. It was built in the Zhou Dynasty. There is the most well-preserved ancient city There is the most well-preserved ancient city wall which surrounds the town. Pingyao has wall which surrounds the town. Pingyao has attracted more and more attention throughout attracted more and more attention throughout the world. It is the mirror of cities in the Ming the world. It is the mirror of cities in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.and Qing Dynasties.

Hongcun and Xidi (Hongcun and Xidi ( 宏村与西递宏村与西递 ))

Ancient villages in southern Anhui—Hongcun Ancient villages in southern Anhui—Hongcun and Xidi were put on the World Cultural and Xidi were put on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO WHC in 2000, 2003 Heritage list by UNESCO WHC in 2000, 2003 and 2004.and 2004.

Located 10 km northeast of Yixian County, Located 10 km northeast of Yixian County, Anhui Province, Xidi and Hongcun have about Anhui Province, Xidi and Hongcun have about 400—500 years of history. The original 400—500 years of history. The original residential style and features of the Ming and residential style and features of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were preserved perfectly, Qing Dynasties were preserved perfectly, reputed as “A Living Ancient Residential reputed as “A Living Ancient Residential Museum” by experts and tourists at home and Museum” by experts and tourists at home and from abroad.from abroad.

Xidi and Hongcun are typical Xidi and Hongcun are typical representation of the culture of feudal representation of the culture of feudal society in the later stage of China—the society in the later stage of China—the carrier of Huizhou culture. It has well carrier of Huizhou culture. It has well preserved its dialects, costume, and preserved its dialects, costume, and some local food and drinks.some local food and drinks.

Yin Xu (Anyang)Yin Xu (Anyang)

The 3,300-year-old Yin Xu were put on The 3,300-year-old Yin Xu were put on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2006. It UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2006. It is the key cultural heritage site under the is the key cultural heritage site under the government’s protection. It is located at government’s protection. It is located at Anyang, Henan Province. After 60 years Anyang, Henan Province. After 60 years of archaeological (of archaeological (考古的考古的 ) excavations ) excavations from 1928, the ruins of palaces, temples, from 1928, the ruins of palaces, temples, workshops, tombs and sacrificial pits workshops, tombs and sacrificial pits have been found there.have been found there.

With a total area of about 24 sq km, Yin Xu With a total area of about 24 sq km, Yin Xu is the capital city’s ruins of the late Shang is the capital city’s ruins of the late Shang Dynasty. The excavation of the ruins has Dynasty. The excavation of the ruins has provided rich and crucial materials for the provided rich and crucial materials for the study of history of that period.study of history of that period.

The unearthed relics include: a large The unearthed relics include: a large number of oracle bone inscriptions (number of oracle bone inscriptions ( 甲骨甲骨文文 ), delicate bronze ware, jade and ivory ), delicate bronze ware, jade and ivory articles, production tools and articles for articles, production tools and articles for daily use.daily use.

The most famous among The most famous among them is the Simuwu them is the Simuwu Tripod (Tripod (司母戊方鼎司母戊方鼎 ), the ), the largest piece of bronze largest piece of bronze ware relic of that time ever ware relic of that time ever found in the world. It found in the world. It shows the high level of shows the high level of craftsmanship and craftsmanship and economic and cultural economic and cultural development of the late development of the late Shang Dynasty. Shang Dynasty.

The Preservation of World HeritageThe Preservation of World Heritage

The World Heritage Committee, under The World Heritage Committee, under UNESCO, considers each year UNESCO, considers each year suggestions for listing as World Heritage suggestions for listing as World Heritage sites. All sites on the World Heritage List sites. All sites on the World Heritage List receive financial and technical aid. In the receive financial and technical aid. In the meantime, they become better known meantime, they become better known worldwide and are protected by pressure worldwide and are protected by pressure from the international community. from the international community.

Two major criteria are vital when Two major criteria are vital when seeking a World Heritage designation—seeking a World Heritage designation—the site’s value and the state of its the site’s value and the state of its preservation. preservation.

Nomination and inclusion of natural Nomination and inclusion of natural and cultural properties on the World and cultural properties on the World Heritage List is the final goal of world Heritage List is the final goal of world heritage work. World Heritage heritage work. World Heritage conservation is a continuous process. conservation is a continuous process.

Listing a site does little good if it subsequently Listing a site does little good if it subsequently falls into a state of disrepair or if any falls into a state of disrepair or if any development project causes the destruction of development project causes the destruction of the qualities that made the site suitable for the qualities that made the site suitable for World Heritage status in the first place. World Heritage status in the first place.

Cultural and natural heritage is the identity of a Cultural and natural heritage is the identity of a nation and the value of a society. Therefore, nation and the value of a society. Therefore, we must preserve it for future generations.we must preserve it for future generations.

DiscussionDiscussion

China has had 35 sites added to the China has had 35 sites added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO. While World Heritage List by UNESCO. While being proud of our ancient civilization, being proud of our ancient civilization, we still worry about the overexploitation we still worry about the overexploitation of some heritage sites. Please discuss of some heritage sites. Please discuss and give some good suggestions to deal and give some good suggestions to deal with possible problems.with possible problems.