12 World Natural Heritage sites in China

How many world heritages are there in China for the time being?

中国目前有多少世界遗产？

Up to July of 2017, there are 52 world heritages totally in China being listed in the World Heritage List , ranking the second in the world, of which include 12 items of world heritages, 36 items of cultural heritages, 4 items of natural and cultural heritages.

截至2017年7月，中国被列入《世界遗产名录》的世界遗产总数为52项，位居世界第二。其中，世界文化遗产36项，世界自然遗产12项，世界自然与文化双重遗产4项。

A World Heritage Site is a landmark that is recognized by the United Nations, specifically by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). For a landmark to be considered a world heritage site, it needs to be unique in some respect geographically and historically. It also needs to have a cultural or physical significance.

So while we are living here, it’s time to make a bucket list, pack the backpacks and start exploring. In this series, here is a list of the 12 World Natural Heritage sites in China:

World Natural Heritage

世界自然遗产 

For the purposes of this Convention, the following shall be considered as "natural heritage":

在本公约中,以下各项为“自然遗产”：.

- natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of Outstanding Universal Value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view;

－从审美或科学角度看具有突出的普遍价值的由物理和生物结构或这类结构群组成的自然面貌;

- geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of Outstanding Universal Value from the point of view of science or conservation;

－从科学或保护角度看具有突出的普遍价值的地质和自然地理结构以及明确划为受威胁的动物和植物栖息地;

- natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of Outstanding Universal Value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.

－从科学、保护或自然美角度看具有突出的普遍价值的天然名胜或明确划分的自然区域。

promo film of Qinghai Hoh Xil 

可可西里申遗官方宣传片

At the 41st session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Poland on July 7, 2017, Hoh Xil was recognized as a new world natural heritage site and became the largest one in China with a vast area of 45,000 square kilometres.

Hoh Xil, which means "beautiful girl" in Mongolian, is located in the north eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and listed as the largest and highest plateau in the world. With an average elevation of 4,600 meters above sea level on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is one of the major headwater sources of the Yangtze River. The rest of the region is endorheic, with drainage to numerous isolated lakes.

Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve is China's largest and the world's third largest uninhabited area. Because of the high altitude and fierce weather, it is impossible for people to live there. Therefore, it is the paradise for wildlife and home to more than 230 species of wild animals including endangered species such as the Tibetan antelope, and it comprises several migration routes of the species.

【青海可可西里】2017年7月7日，在波兰举行的第41届世界遗产大会，审议通过将“青海可可西里”列入世界自然遗产名录。可可西里，蒙古语“青色的山梁”之意，位于中国青藏高原东北部，青海省西北角。青海可可西里世界遗产提名地位于玉树藏族自治州治多县、曲麻莱县境内。提名地面积约为370万公顷，缓冲面积为230万公顷，总面积约600万公顷。地域面积涵盖可可西里国家级自然保护区全部、三江源国家级自然保护区索加-曲麻河保护分区一部分。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

With magnificent peaks and grand valleys, Shennongjia, in the western part of Hubei province, has long been known for its pristine environment, diverse landscapes and wildlife. It not only has magnificent peaks that stand more than 3,000 meters above sea level, but also grand and quiet valleys. At the same time, waterfalls, rivers and lakes have created an impressive cave system underground.

【湖北神农架】 2016年7月，通过世界遗产委员会审议表决，湖北神农架正式列入世界遗产名录，为世界自然遗产。世界遗产委员会认为，湖北神农架在生物多样性、地带性植被类型、垂直自然带谱、生态和生物过程等方面在全球具有独特性，拥有世界上最完整的垂直自然带谱。独特的地理过渡带区位塑造了其丰富的生物多样性、特殊的生态系统和生物演化过程，其生物多样性弥补了世界遗产名录中的空白。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

China Danxia is the name given to a unique type of Chinese landscape formed from red sandstone and characterized by spectacular steep cliffs and a range of erosion landforms. Mmost of them are several hundred meters high, and multicolored ridges of weathered strata, sometimes stretching to the horizon. These formations, sometimes smooth sometimes sharp, stand out against the greens or grays of the plains , looking grand and magnificent, vigorous and virile.These are caused by endogenous and exogenous forces like uplift, weathering, etc. 

Across the Danxia landscape zone, a kaleidoscope of numerous red rocky outcrops resemble weird and wonderful shapes like castles, cones, towers ; as well as humans, creatures, birds and beasts. Their peaks peeping through the mist and clouds, produce mirage-like scenery of fantastic mountains and pavilions.

【中国丹霞】2010年8月1日傍晚，在巴西利亚举行的第34届世界遗产大会，审议通过将“中国丹霞”列入世界自然遗产名录。中国丹霞是一个世界自然遗产“系列提名”，提名地由湖南崀山、宁夏西吉火石寨、广东丹霞山[、福建泰宁、江西龙虎山、贵州赤水、浙江江郎山等中国西南、西北地区7个著名的丹霞地貌景区组成。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Located to the northeast of Shangrao City, near Yushan county and the city of Dexing, Jiangxi Province, Mt. Sanqingshan was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008. The park, which covers more than 200 square kilometers, is famous for its exceptional scenic quality and fantastically shaped granite pillars and peaks,peculiar-looking peaks and strange-looking stone outcrops, beautiful trees and flowers, changing cloud patterns and mists, and smooth-flowing waterfalls.

Representing the Taoist trinity, Mount Sanqing comprises three main peaks: Yujing, Yushui, and Yuhua, with the highest hill 1817m above sea level. A famous Chinese phrase “三峰峻拔、如三清列坐其巅” (“Three steep peaks, like the Three Pure Ones sit the summits”) explains why it was named San Qing, which literally means the "Three Pure Ones". 

【江西三清山】2008年，在加拿大魁北克城举行的第32届世界遗产大会上，决定将三清山正式列入《世界遗产名录》。三清山又名少华山、丫山，位于中国江西省上饶市玉山县与德兴市交界处。因玉京、玉虚、玉华三峰宛如道教玉清、上清、太清三位尊神列坐山巅而得名。其中玉京峰为最高，海拔1819.9米，是江西第五高峰和怀玉山脉的最高峰，也是信江的源头。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

As a part of the Tianshan mountain system of Central Asia, one of the world’s largest mountain ranges, Xinjiang Taishan covers an area of over 606,833 hectares and presents unique physical geographic features and beautiful scenic areas including spectacular snow and snowy mountains with glacier-capped peaks, undisturbed forests and meadows, clear rivers and lakes and red bed canyons. These landscapes contrast with the vast adjacent desert landscapes, creating a striking visual contrast between hot and cold environments, dry and wet, desolate and luxuriant.

【新疆天山】2013年，在柬埔寨金边举行的第３７届世界遗产大会上，新疆天山的托木尔峰（阿克苏地区）、喀拉峻-库尔德宁（伊犁哈萨克自治州）、巴音布鲁克（巴音郭楞蒙古自治州）、博格达（昌吉回族自治州）4个片区以“新疆天山”名称成功申请成为世界自然遗产。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Chengjiang’s fossils present the most complete record of an early Cambrian marine community with exceptionally preserved biota, displaying the anatomy of hard and soft tissues in a very wide variety of organisms, invertebrate and vertebrate.

The site documents at least sixteen phyla and a variety of enigmatic groups as well as about 196 species, presenting exceptional testimony to the rapid diversification of life on Earth 530 million years ago, when almost all of today’s major animal groups emerged.

It was added into the list on July 1, 2012.

【云南澄江化石地】 2012年，第36届世界遗产大会，审议通过将“澄江化石地”列入世界自然遗产名录。标准：位于中国云南省的澄江化石地保存了具有独特重要意义的化石遗迹。澄江化石地的岩石和化石展示了杰出的、保存非凡的记录，是距今5.3亿年前寒武纪早期地球上生命的快速多样化的见证。在这一短暂的地质间隙时段中产生了几乎所有主要动物类群的起源。澄江化石地多样化的地质证据代表了化石遗迹保存的最高质量，传承了早寒武纪海洋生物群落完整的记录。它是一个复杂的海洋生态系统最早的记录之一，也是一个进一步认知早寒武纪群落结构的独特窗口。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

According to Unesco, the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, home to more than 30% of the world's pandas, which are classed as highly endangered, covers 924,500 ha with seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks in the Qionglai and Jiajin Mountains. The sanctuaries constitute the largest remaining contiguous habitat of the giant panda, a relict from the paleo-tropic forests of the Tertiary Era. It is also the species' most important site for captive breeding.

The forests in the Sichuan Mountains of China offer also outstanding habitat for a wide range of wildlife and contain populations of animals such as red panda, clouded leopard, the Sichuan takin, the golden snub-nosed monkey, the black-necked crane and many threatened birds and other wildlife that live only in this region. 

【四川大熊猫栖息地】2006年7月12日,在立陶宛首都维尔纽斯举行的联合国教科文组织第30届世界遗产大会一致决定，将中国四川大熊猫栖息地作为世界自然遗产列入《世界遗产名录》。标准：四川大熊猫栖息地生活着全世界30％以上的野生大熊猫，是全球最大最完整的大熊猫栖息地。它也是人工培育大熊猫的重要来源。栖息地也是全球除热带雨林以外植物种类最丰富的区域之一。突出价值在于，它可以保护各种地形，地质，植物和动物物种。栖息地还有保护生物多样性非凡的价值，并能证明跨国家和省级保护区边的生态系统管理系统。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Spanning the provinces of Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou, the site of the South East China Karst is noted for its karts clusters (Libo Karst, Shilin Karst and Wulong Karst), as well as sublime scenery and rich biodiversity. Incidentally, each area is reportedly regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular examples of humid tropical and subtropical karst landscapes.

【中国南方喀斯特】云南石林、贵州荔波、重庆武隆组成第一期的“中国南方喀斯特”，于2007年6月27日在第31届世界遗产大会中，全票入选世界自然遗产；广西桂林、贵州施秉、重庆金佛山和广西环江组成“中国南方喀斯特二期”项目，于2014年6月23日在第38届世界遗产大会中通过审议入选世界自然遗产，作为对“中国南方喀斯特”的拓展。中国南方喀斯特现由云南石林、贵州荔波、重庆武隆、广西桂林、贵州施秉、重庆金佛山和广西环江七地的喀斯特地貌组成。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Lijiang Prefecture, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

The Three Parallel Rivers National Park is one of the richest regions in the world in terms of diversity. Covering an area of over 1.7 hectares, the site contains the upper sections of the three great rivers in Asia: the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween. They run parallel to each other here and make their way through steep gorges and peaks with a hight of more than 6,000m. 

【三江并流】2003年联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会批准三江并流为世界自然遗产。“三江并流”是指金沙江、澜沧江和怒江，三条“江水并流而不交汇”的奇特自然地理景观。其间澜沧江与金沙江最短直线距离为66公里， 澜沧江与怒江的最短直线距离不到19公里。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Where: The Wulingyuan District of Dayong City, Hunan Province.

Lying to the north of Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan Scenic Area consists of four main parts: Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve and Yangjiajie Scenic Area. Boasting forests, hidden valleys, waterfalls, strangely-shaped mountain peaks and limestone caves, Wulingyuan has become one of the most famous tourist spots in China in recent times. So make sure you aren't going there on the national holidays. 

【湖南武陵源】1992年联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会批准武陵源风景名胜区为世界自然遗产。武陵源是一个人口密集的农业区内的自然岛，位于中国中部湖南省西北部，总面积26400公顷，由张家界市的张家界国家森林公园、慈利县的索溪峪自然保护区和桑植县的天子山自然保护区组合而成，后又发现了杨家界新景区。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Covering 72,000 ha in the northern part of Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou preserves a series of important forest ecosystems including old-growth forests which provide important habitat for numerous threatened species of plants and animals, including the giant panda and takin. Attaining heights of 4,752 m in the southern Minshan Mountains, Jiuzhaigou also contains an important number of well-preserved quaternary glacial remnants with great scenic value. 

【四川九寨沟】1992年联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会批准九寨沟风景名胜区为世界自然遗产。九寨沟风景名胜区位于四川省阿坝藏族羌族自治州九寨沟县境内，是中国第一个以保护自然风景为主要目的的自然保护区。地处青藏高原向四川盆地过渡地带，距离成都市400多千米，是一条纵深50余千米的山沟谷地，总面积64297公顷，森林覆盖率超过80%。因沟内有树正寨、荷叶寨、则查洼寨等九个藏族村寨坐落在这片高山湖泊群中而得名。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Located in the northwest part of Sichuan and around 150 km from Chengdu, Huanglong is a historic and scenic area widely known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits and for its hot springs, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and diverse forest ecosystems. 

【四川黄龙】1992年联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会批准黄龙风景名胜区为世界自然遗产。黄龙位于四川省阿坝藏族羌族自治州松潘县境内，岷山主峰雪宝顶下，面临涪江源流，似中国人心目中“龙”的形象，因而历来被喻为“中华象征”。 (来自:中国世界遗产网)

Source:中国世界遗产网/Chinadaily/视觉中国