St Kilda, a remote volcanic archipelago, lies approximately 100 miles off the west coast of Scotland. It is made up of islands such as Soay, Boreray, Hirta, Dun, and Levenish. The archipelago boasts breathtaking sceneries and Europe's highest sea cliffs. These cliffs serve as vital nesting grounds for numerous seabirds, including puffins and gannets, endowing St Kilda with significant avian biodiversity. With over 2,000 years of human habitation in harsh conditions, the islands retain remnants like architectural structures, field systems, cleits (stone storage rooms), and traditional Highland stone houses. In 1930, the last inhabitants left. Recognizing its unique natural and cultural values, UNESCO listed St Kilda as a World Heritage Site in 1986, and added its marine environment and cultural landscape in 2004 and 2005. To preserve it digitally, initiatives like the Scottish Ten Project have employed 3D laser scanning. This creates digital models of structures and archaeological features, allowing virtual tours. Such efforts, in line with UN SDG 11, boost sustainable tourism and education while safeguarding the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Jiuzhaigou Valley is located within Sichuan Province, China, and has gained a widespread reputation for its unparalleled natural scenery. Here, there are colorful lakes, multi-layered waterfalls with a well-arranged layout, and unique limestone terraces. Its distinctive karst landform and rich biodiversity led to its inclusion in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1992. As a habitat for endangered species such as giant pandas and takins, Jiuzhaigou is also a vital nature reserve. In addition, the Qiang and Tibetan ethnic groups live in this valley, and their inherited cultural traditions have added profound historical significance to this area. In order to properly protect the natural and cultural resources of Jiuzhaigou and promote the steady development of tourism, Jiuzhaigou National Park has established an official website. Through digital forms such as pictures and videos, it promotes Jiuzhaigou, helping people from all over the world to recognize Jiuzhaigou. By popularizing the unique natural landscapes and cultural customs of Jiuzhaigou, tourists can have a deeper understanding of the local history and respect the local customs, thus enhancing the harmonious relationship between tourists and local residents and strongly promoting the sustainable development of tourism. These measures are highly consistent with the requirements of SDG 15, SDG 12, and SDG 11.
Carcassonne, located in southern France, is a remarkable medieval fortified city renowned for its impressive double walls and well-preserved ramparts. With its narrow, winding streets, towering medieval structures, and historical ambiance, Carcassonne offers a captivating glimpse into Europe’s feudal past. Digital preservation and virtual reconstruction of Carcassonne can support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by creating interactive experiences that educate visitors about medieval urban planning and architectural heritage. Additionally, digital archiving plays a critical role in monitoring and preserving the delicate historical fabric of the city.
Jiuzhaigou is located within Sichuan Province, China, and has gained a widespread reputation for its unparalleled natural scenery. Here, there are colorful lakes, multi-layered waterfalls with a well-arranged layout, and unique limestone terraces. Its distinctive karst landform and rich biodiversity led to its inclusion in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1992. As a habitat for endangered species such as giant pandas and takins, Jiuzhaigou is also a vital nature reserve. In addition, the Qiang and Tibetan ethnic groups live in this valley, and their inherited cultural traditions have added profound historical significance to this area. In order to rationally develop and properly protect the natural and cultural resources of Jiuzhaigou and promote the steady development of tourism, Jiuzhaigou National Park has specially established an official website. Through digital forms such as pictures and videos, it promotes Jiuzhaigou, helping people from all over the world to recognize and understand Jiuzhaigou. By popularizing the unique natural landscapes and cultural customs of Jiuzhaigou, tourists can have a deeper understanding of the local history and respect the local customs, thus enhancing the harmonious relationship between tourists and local residents and strongly promoting the sustainable development of tourism. These measures are highly consistent with the requirements of Sustainable Development Goal 15 (focusing on the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems), SDG 12 (advocating responsible consumption and production patterns), and SDG 11 (emphasizing the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage).
The Dunhuang Mogao Caves are a unique repository of Buddhist art that stretches over a millennium, featuring 492 grottoes carved into a cliff face. The site holds exquisite murals, sculptures, and manuscripts that document the rich history of cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. Digital interpretation of this heritage can support SDG 4 (Quality Education) by making these ancient treasures accessible through immersive virtual tours and interactive exhibits. Through high-resolution 3D scanning, the delicate details of the art are preserved, while real-time environmental monitoring ensures proactive conservation.
The Louvre Museum is a historic building and cultural institution located in Paris, France. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, it became a royal palace and was later converted into a public museum in 1793. The Louvre is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, known for its architecture and its vast collection of artworks, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The museum’s glass pyramid entrance was added in 1989 and is now an iconic feature of the site. The museum also embraces digital innovation. Its official website offers access to over 500,000 artworks through high-resolution images, virtual tours, and themed exhibitions. These tools help make cultural heritage accessible to a global audience. The Louvre supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by preserving and promoting cultural heritage. It also aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by using digital technologies to improve accessibility, raise global awareness, and encourage appreciation of cultural diversity.
Night view of the Louvre Museum courtyard and glass pyramid in Paris. Photo by Benh LIEU SONG, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Flesh-Body Hall (Roushen Baodian) of Jiuhua Mountain, also known as the Dizang Hall, enshrines the mummified body of the Tang Dynasty monk Kim Qiaojue, revered as the incarnation of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. After practicing for 75 years at Jiuhua, his body remained intact after death and became a central object of veneration. Built in the Qing Dynasty, the hall is a masterpiece of traditional Hui-style architecture, featuring curved eaves, intricate wood carvings, and symbolic decorative elements. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists across China. The red lanterns and the Chinese national flag in front of the temple represent the blending of ancient religious devotion and modern cultural identity. This site holds not only deep spiritual meaning but also tangible historical and architectural value. This heritage preservation project aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. By using digital technologies to reduce physical tourist impact and preserve sacred sites, we ensure cultural continuity and sustainable community identity.
Front View of Dizang Hall, Jiuhua Mountain, China
The Flesh-Body Hall (Roushen Baodian) of Jiuhua Mountain, also known as the Dizang Hall, enshrines the mummified body of the Tang Dynasty monk Kim Qiaojue, revered as the incarnation of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. After practicing for 75 years at Jiuhua, his body remained intact after death and became a central object of veneration. Built in the Qing Dynasty, the hall is a masterpiece of traditional Hui-style architecture, featuring curved eaves, intricate wood carvings, and symbolic decorative elements. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists across China. The red lanterns and the Chinese national flag in front of the temple represent the blending of ancient religious devotion and modern cultural identity. This site holds not only deep spiritual meaning but also tangible historical and architectural value. Digital preservation of the temple—through 3D scanning, virtual walkthroughs, and annotated interpretation—can help foster global understanding of Chinese Buddhism while contributing to the sustainable safeguarding of immovable heritage.
Yungang Grottoes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Datong, Shanxi Province, China. The site contains 252 caves and over 51,000 stone Buddhist statues, created during the Northern Wei dynasty starting from around 460 AD. These grottoes reflect the spread of Buddhism into China and the fusion of traditional Chinese and foreign artistic styles. They are significant examples of early Buddhist cave art and show advanced stone carving techniques of the time. The official website of the Yungang Grottoes offers a 720-degree virtual panoramic tour of important caves with audio and text explanations. Visitors can also view high-resolution images of the carvings online. These digital tools help people explore and understand the site remotely. This heritage site contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by protecting and promoting cultural heritage. It also supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing the environmental impact of tourism through virtual access.
The location where George Orwell wrote 1984 on Jura Island
Barnhill is a farmhouse in the north of the island of Jura in the Scottish Inner Hebrides overlooking the Sound of Jura. It stands on the site of a larger 15th-century settlement, Cnoc an t-Sabhail; the English name Barnhill has been in use since the early twentieth century. The house was rented by the essayist and novelist George Orwell, who lived there intermittently from 1946 until January 1949. He completed his final novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, at Barnhill.
A photo of Buddha statues at the Yungang Grottoes, Datong, Shanxi, China. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 by xiquinhosilva.
Stonehenge is a heritage site located in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the world, built between 3000 BC and 1600 BC. The monument is made of large standing stones arranged in a circular pattern, using local Sarsen sandstone and imported Bluestone. It is aligned with solar events, which reflects the astronomical knowledge and ritual practices of prehistoric communities. Stonehenge demonstrates impressive prehistoric engineering and organisation. Digital interpretation is currently used to increase accessibility and awareness. English Heritage provides a 360-degree virtual tour that allows people to explore Stonehenge online. The Skyscape platform shows the real-time movement of the sun, moon and planets above the monument, helping users understand its astronomical importance. This digital approach supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by protecting cultural heritage. It also contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) through public learning, and to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by offering virtual access that reduces environmental impact caused by tourism.
The Flow Country, located in Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland, is the largest blanket bog in Europe, covering around 4,000 km². This expansive peatland, rich in deep peat and dotted with bog pools, is crucial in wildlife habitat and climate change mitigation. Peat, composed of plant remains stores significant amounts of carbon that would otherwise contribute to global warming if released into the atmosphere. However, the area has faced historical damage due to large-scale drainage and afforestation during the 1970s and 1980s, which degraded the peatland, releasing stored carbon and disrupting ecosystems. In 2019, a wildfire further impacted the area, affecting the most degraded zones and threatening the peatland’s delicate balance.
The Hermitage, located in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, is a National Trust for Scotland protected site nestled along the River Braan in Craigvinean Forest. Created in the 18th century by John Murray, the third Duke of Atholl, to honour the blind bard Ossian, the site features notable Georgian follies, including Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors and Ossian’s Cave. The Hermit’s Cave, built around 1760 for the third Earl of Breadalbane, was initially intended to house a permanent hermit. The grounds of The Hermitage are home to remarkable trees, including several Douglas-firs. One such tree, the Hermitage Douglas-fir, became the second tallest tree in Britain, reaching 63 meters (207 feet) in 2009. Tragically, it was blown over during a storm in January 2017. This self-sown tree germinated from a seed blown from one of the older trees at the site in 1887 (Wikipedia Contributors, 2024). Climate change and increasing storm frequency pose significant risks to ancient and towering trees like those at The Hermitage. Strong winds and unpredictable weather patterns are more likely to damage or uproot such trees, threatening the stability and longevity of these historical landmarks.
The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-sized terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Discovered in 1974 near Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, this archaeological marvel dates to 210-209 BCE and was created as funerary art to protect the emperor in his afterlife. The site contains thousands of individually crafted warriors, each with unique facial features, expressions, and attire, alongside chariots, horses, and weapons. The remarkable craftsmanship demonstrates the advanced artistic and military organization of the Qin Dynasty. The warriors are part of a larger imperial mausoleum complex that remains largely unexplored. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site provides invaluable insights into ancient Chinese history, culture, and artistry while continuing to attract researchers and visitors from around the world.
San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jésus Nazareno of Atotonilco
The Protective Town of San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco represent exceptional examples of 18th-century Mexican Baroque architecture and cultural fusion. Established in the 16th century along the Royal Route, San Miguel reached its zenith in the 18th century when its distinctive religious and civic buildings were constructed. Located 14 kilometers from the town, the Jesuit sanctuary of Atotonilco showcases remarkable Baroque art including oil paintings by Rodriguez Juárez and murals by Miguel Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre. The site embodies the cultural exchange between European and Latin American traditions, particularly reflecting the influence of Saint Ignacio de Loyola's doctrine. The architectural ensemble demonstrates the transition from Baroque to neoclassical styles while preserving the colonial urban layout. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to serve as a living example of Spanish colonial influence and Mexican cultural identity.
A photograph of Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone circle located in Wiltshire, England. Image licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 by garethwiscombe.
Protective Town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco