by Jack Harrison, Leader Live.
A weekend festival celebrated the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing local heritage through art, performances, and storytelling. Despite Storm Bert, events included outdoor exhibits, a floating market, and a theatre performance. The project highlighted community stories and cultural significance, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Read more: Festival celebrates communities of World Heritage Site in Wrexham
by Mrityunjay Bose, Deccan Herald. Photo: Mrityunjay Bose.
Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, features one of the world’s largest prehistoric rock art complexes. Its ancient cave paintings, created with natural pigments, have endured for thousands of years, depicting scenes of daily life, rituals, and animals, offering a glimpse into early human creativity and culture.
Read more: The rocky wonders of Bhimbetka
by Travel and Tour World.
Vietnam has been named the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2024” at the World Travel Awards, marking its fifth consecutive win. The country boasts nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, vibrant cultural landmarks, and a rich culinary heritage. Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Ha Nam, and Tam Dao also received top tourism accolades.
by Hakim Mahari, New Straits Times.
The Summer Palace in Beijing, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an imperial retreat featuring Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, and architectural marvels like the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and the Long Corridor. Known for its tranquil gardens, intricate pavilions, and cultural significance, it symbolizes China’s artistic heritage and historical grandeur.
Read more: Beijing’s Summer Palace, a Unesco gem, draws thousands of visitors | New Straits Times
by Drift Travel.
Lisbon won the titles of World’s Leading Heritage City Destination and World’s Leading City Break Destination at the 31st World Travel Awards. Recognized for its cultural heritage, landmarks, and tourism excellence, Lisbon combines historical charm with modern innovation, solidifying its global appeal as a top travel destination.
Read more: Lisbon Wins World’s Leading Heritage City Destination
by Siladitya Ray, Forbes.
The restored interiors of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral were unveiled after over five years of restoration following a devastating fire. French President Emmanuel Macron toured the site, highlighting the efforts of workers, architects, and global donors who contributed to the $738 million restoration. The cathedral reopens on December 7.
Read more: Five Years After Devastating Fire Notre Dame Cathedral Unveils Restored Interior (Photos)
by Kalpana Sunder, Travel and Leisure Asia. Photo: deba_dmj.
Assam, a state in northeastern India, offers diverse tourist attractions, including the scenic Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, the spiritual Kamakhya Temple, and the cultural richness of Majuli Island. Its tea gardens, Brahmaputra River cruises, and vibrant festivals make it an enchanting destination.
by YSH Cabana, Canadian Encyclopedia.
Tr’ondëk-Klondike, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northwestern Canada, celebrates the evolving cultural landscape shaped by Indigenous peoples and European settlers. The site encompasses eight locations, including Fort Reliance and Dawson City, and reflects the impacts of colonialism, mining, and the Klondike Gold Rush. It was inscribed in 2023.
Read more: Tr’ondëk-Klondike
by Travel & Tour World.
Shakhrisabz, Uzbekistan, is a historic city famous for its Timurid architecture and as the birthplace of Amir Timur (Tamerlane). The city offers stunning landscapes, cultural landmarks, and a deep historical legacy, including the Ak-Saray Palace and Kok-Gumbaz Mosque. Shakhrisabz is gaining recognition as a must-visit destination.
by Unesco. Photo: Roger de la Harpe.
The COMPACT program, managed by UNESCO and UNDP’s GEF Small Grants Programme, offers grants for projects that enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods in UNESCO World Heritage sites. A call for proposals is open for projects supporting the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Proposals are due by January 16, 2025.
by ETV Bharat.
The Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the Mughal Empire’s center of power. Despite its historical importance, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) claims no official records on its builder, directing inquiries to contemporary literature. Historians trace its origins to pre-Mughal eras, with significant contributions from Akbar, who renovated it using red sandstone. Over time, many structures were altered by Shah Jahan and later the British, leaving only about 30 Mughal buildings intact. The fort remains a testament to India’s architectural and historical legacy.
Read more: Who Built The Agra Fort? ASI And CIC Fumble In RTI Reply
by Amar Hussain, Upgraded Point.
The U.S. boasts 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including natural wonders like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, and cultural landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Statue of Liberty. These sites highlight America’s rich history, biodiversity, and architectural achievements, offering visitors unique insights into the nation’s cultural and natural heritage.
Read more: The 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the U.S [Full Guide]
by Jonathan Blackburn, Glasgow Live. Photo:
Scotland’s quirkiest Christmas market, New Lanark Christmas Market, is located just 45 minutes from Glasgow. Set in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers festive attractions like Santa’s Grotto, a soft play area, an inflatable assault course, and a ‘Spirit of Christmas Ride.’ Visitors can also enjoy theater productions, Christmas film screenings, and festive shopping at the Café & Mill Shop. The market runs from November 30 to December 24, blending history, entertainment, and holiday spirit.
by Ashim Paun, Britannica. Photo: Joe Ravi.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway station in Mumbai, India. Built in 1887, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its blend of Victorian Gothic Revival and traditional Indian architecture. The station remains a bustling hub, symbolizing Mumbai’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Read more: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Description, History, & Facts | Britannica
by Gauri Sharma, earth.org.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are globally significant cultural and natural treasures, but many face threats from climate change, overtourism, and conflict. Iconic sites like the Great Barrier Reef, Venice, and Aleppo are at risk due to rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and armed conflict, requiring urgent global conservation efforts.
by Kyodo News.
Japan held a memorial event on Sado Island to honor Japanese and Korean laborers who worked at its gold and silver mines during WWII. South Korean officials and families did not attend due to unresolved disagreements. Japan acknowledged the laborers’ hardships but avoided addressing the coercive nature of their work.
Read more: Japan holds Sado mine laborers’ commemoration, South Korea abstains
by Times of India.
Indian Railways is launching three major rail projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, enhancing travel to key pilgrimage destinations like Nashik, Khandwa, and Varanasi. Covering 375 km, the projects will improve passenger and freight connectivity, boost tourism to heritage sites, and support economic growth through better logistics infrastructure.
Read more: Indian Railways unveils major projects: Enhanced connectivity to jyotirlingas and heritage sites
by Tabatha Badger, Tasmania Greens MPS. Photo: Dan Broun.
The Tasmanian Greens have urged UNESCO to intervene over alleged government failures in managing the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Their letter cites unfulfilled commitments from the 2016 management plan, delays in reporting, inadequate environmental assessments, and support for controversial developments like Lake Malbena. They criticize both state and federal governments for prioritizing commercial interests over conservation and neglecting obligations to restore Lake Pedder. The Greens call for UNESCO’s intervention to protect the site’s natural and cultural heritage from further harm.
Cambodia’s Koh Ker Temple complex has been named one of Fodor Travel’s “25 Places to Go in 2025,” the sole Southeast Asian destination on the list. Known for its remote location and historical significance, it offers an alternative to the crowded Angkor Wat, with a focus on Khmer heritage.
Read more: Koh Ker Temple listed in Fodor Travel’s ‘Twenty-five places to go in 2025’ – Khmer Times
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