Advertisement

10 new UNESCO World Heritage sites to add to your bucket list

From a historic dockyard, oceanic islands to fossil-filled cliffs, here are 10 newly minted UNESCO World Heritage sites (as of July 2016) to inspire that wanderlust in you.

Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua and Barbuda

Image: @antiguaandbarbuda/ Instagram

Feel like you’ve stepped back in time at this historical site. First built in the 18th century, the dockyard is also the most famous attraction on the island. It served as a base for the BRitish Navy and is named after naval commander Horatio Nelson. Today, you’ll still get to see structures dating from the Georgian period which makes this site like no other.

The Architectural work of Le Corbusier, multiple locations

Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France. Image: @benjiq15/ Instagram

Architectural buffs should add this group of 17 sites to their bucket list. You’ll find these architectural projects by the Swiss-born French architect situated all around the world, with locations spanning from the Complexe du Capitole in India, the National Museum of Western Art in Japan to the House of Dr Curutchet in Argentina. If a round-the-world trip isn’t doable for you, head to France where 10 sites including Le Corbusier’s Notre Dame du Haut can be found.

Mistaken Point, Canada

Image: @travelingjones/ Instagram

There’s more to the cliffs of Mistaken Point, beyond just their rugged beauty. These cliffs in the ecological park date as far back as over 500 million years ago and feature some of the world’s oldest known and most varied collection of large fossils. The fossils of these deep sea creatures were first discovered in 1967. To visit the site, you’ll have to join a guided tour for a 30-minute hike around the craggy terrain.

Hubei Shennongjia, China

Image: @imaxweller/ Instagram

Wildlife and nature lovers should flock to this site. The lush forests of this newly minted UNESCO World Heritage site is celebrated for its biodiversity; it’s home to more than 5,000 species of animal and plants, including rare and endangered animal species such as the clouded leopard, Chinese giant salamander, Asian black bear and the golden snub-nosed monkey.

Khangchendzonga National Park, India

Image: @jogfornature/ Instagram

Prior to being recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage site, this national park may be among the lesser known destinations. But its gorgeous landscape has long made it a popular hiking spot. Think striking sights as diverse as waterfalls, snow capped mountain peaks, glaciers, ancient forests and cold deserts. Here, you’ll find the world’s third highest peak (Mount Khangchendzonga), as well as animals such as the red panda, musk deer and Tibetan sheep.

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo, México

Image: @espressonoticia/ Instagram

This cluster of four oceanic islands and their surrounding waters are a diver’s dream destination. Located in the east of Mexico, the Revillagigedo islands are rife with wildlife and a veritable magnet for the large marine creatures such as whales, sharks, dolphins and manta rays. There are also as many as 133 species of birds to be found in the area, as well as over 320 species of fish, 156 species of mollusks and 92 species of crustaceans.

Antequera Dolmens Site, Spain

Image: @ca_dolmenesatq/ Instagram

These tombs hark back to a time of long before, which date as far back as the third millennium BC. Hidden within the Andalusian mountains, this site consists of three prehistoric burial mounds, which are among the largest and most well-preserved megalithic structures in Europe. The geographical location of the dolmens is as significant; it’s positioned such that on the day of the summer solstice, the sun will shine along its entrance corridor.

Gorham’s Cave, British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar

Image: @timocanessa/ Instagram

Visit a site lived by Neanderthals, located at the base of steep limestone cliffs. Said to be the last known dwelling of Neanderthals, this network of four coastal caves is like no other. It contains a rich collection of plant and animal fossils, as well as rock engravings and stone tools that offer a peek at their cultural traditions, plus how they lived and hunted for food.

Philippi, Greece

Image: @kickiheds/ Instagram

See the remains of this ancient city, which was built in fourth century BC and was once the administrative centre of the Roman Empire. Today, some structures such as the fortified walls, theatre, amphitheatre and a large temple complex still stand at the archaeological site. The first Christian church in Europe was also founded in Philippi in 49-50 AD.

Nalanda Mahavihara, India

Image: @svenpunt/ Instagram

Visit one of the world’s oldest university grounds. First constructed in the fifth century, the ruins of the Nalanda university and monastery consist of shrines, stupas, residential and educational buildings, as well as artworks in stone, metal and stucco. It was a seat of knowledge for over 800 years, before it was destroyed by an army led by Bakhtiyar Khilji.