On July 27, local time, at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, resolutions were passed to inscribe three sites from China into the World Heritage List.
Firstly, “Beijing’s Central Axis: The Epitome of China’s Ideal Urban Order,” a masterpiece spanning north to south through Beijing’s ancient core, was recognized. Established in the 13th century and evolving throughout the 16th century, this 7.8-kilometer-long axis stands as the world’s longest urban axis. Comprising ancient imperial palaces and sacrificial edifices, along with civic management facilities and monumental roads, it embodies the ideal urban paradigm described in ancient Chinese texts. Reflecting China’s imperial traditions and urban planning philosophies, it symbolizes Beijing’s historical evolution and ongoing societal centrality.
Secondly, the “Badain Jaran Desert-Shashan Lakes” and the “Yellow (Bohai) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat (Phase II)” were also successfully added to the list during the previous day’s session. Situated in the extreme arid temperate desert region of the Alashan Plateau, the Badain Jaran Desert features towering sand dunes and numerous inter-dune lakes, showcasing dynamic geological and geomorphic characteristics. Renowned for its towering fixed sand dunes, extensive singing sand areas, and diverse wind-eroded landscapes, it exemplifies extraordinary natural aesthetic value.
Thirdly, the “Yellow (Bohai) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat” encompasses the world’s largest tidal flat wetlands. Initially inscribed in 2019 as Phase I, this session saw its expansion to include Shanghai’s Chongming Dongtan, Shandong’s Dongying Huanghe Estuary, Hebei’s Cangzhou Nandagang, Liaoning’s Dalian Shadao-Laotieshan, and Dandong’s Yalu River Estuary. Serving as critical stopover points along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway, this migratory route spans 22 countries and supports millions of waterfowl annually, providing indispensable breeding, resting, and wintering grounds.
These additions bring China’s total World Heritage sites to 59, encompassing 15 natural, 4 mixed, and 40 cultural properties. Each site not only represents China’s rich cultural and natural diversity but also underscores its commitment to global biodiversity conservation and ecological governance.
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