香港 HK 銅鑼灣 Causeway Bay 蟾宮大廈 Empire Court 新英記 Sun Ying Kee, 2021.jpg
Movable Cultural Heritage,Intangible Heritage
Sun Moon Lake (Shao language: Zintun or Zintun a Wazaqan; Hokkien: Ji̍t-goa̍t-thâm) is a semi-natural freshwater lake and hydropower reservoir in Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan; the lake is the area of ​​Taiwan’s main island The second largest lake (after Zengwen Reservoir) and the largest semi-natural lake with a reservoir for power generation. The average water surface of the lake is about 736 meters above sea level, the normal area is about 7.93 square kilometers (about 8.4 square kilometers at full water level), and the highest water depth is 27 meters. It contains rich natural ecology, but many of them are alien species. This lake is one of the main areas where the aboriginal Thao people in Taiwan live; the tribes living around the lake call it "Shuishehai". In the past, the nearby Pingpu people called the aboriginal people living in the mountains "Shalian", and the area was the largest water basin in the mountainous area, so Sun Moon Lake and its surrounding areas were named "Shuishalian". In addition, there are still names such as "Shuishe Great Lake", "Longhu", "Zhutan" and "Shuangtan". Its current name is the combined name of Sun Lake and Moon Lake. The two names come from the depiction of the water color and outline of its two major components. At the same time, the scenery of this lake has always been appreciated since ancient times, and has been listed in the eight scenic spots of Taiwan by the relevant authorities many times since the period of Japanese rule. In January 2000, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Communications established the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. In addition to the original Sun Moon Lake specific area, its scope was expanded to Yuchi Township in the north, Shuishe Mountain in the east, Jiji Mountain in the west, and Shuili Snake Kiln in the south.
During the Wei, Jin and North and South Dynasties, Zibo began to produce porcelain, and during the Tang and Song dynasties, the skills of porcelain production continued to improve, and porcelain kilns were spread all over the place, with famous kilns including Zhaili kiln, Magcun kiln and Boshan kiln. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Boshan became an important centre for the production and sale of ceramics in the country. Zibo ceramics made full use of local ceramic resources, creating a colourful ceramic culture and a rough and bold, simple and bright style in the production process. Zibo ceramics have a wide range of subject matter, from everyday objects to furnishings to garden and architectural porcelain, reflecting in one way or another the social, economic and cultural background and outlook of the central Lu region at the time. The modern fine porcelain talc, high feldspar porcelain, high quartz porcelain, bone china won the national invention award, was selected as Zhongnanhai, Diaoyutai, the Great Hall of the People with porcelain, become "Zibo ceramics, contemporary national kiln" important symbol. On May 23, 2011, Zibo ceramics firing techniques were approved by the State Council to be included in the third batch of Chinese cultural heritage list.
Zhoucun Ancient Shopping Mall scenic spot is located in Zhoucun District, Zibo City, Shandong Province, known as the "dry dock", "Golden Zhoucun", "Silk Township", "the world's first village It is known as the "Dry Dock", "Golden Zhoucun", "Silk Town" and "The First Village in the World". The scenic spot covers a total area of 60.5 hectares and is now a provincial key cultural relics protection unit and a national AAAA level tourist attraction, mainly consisting of ancient streets such as Main Street, Silk Market Street and Yinzi Market Street, with more than 50,000 square metres of well-preserved ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Description: Heritage - Wuzhen is an ancient water town located in Zhejiang Province, China. With a history of over 1,300 years, the town is renowned for its well-preserved architecture, picturesque canals, and traditional Chinese wooden buildings. The beauty of Wuzhen's landscape is further enhanced by its stone bridges, narrow cobblestone streets, and vibrant cultural scene. As a living heritage site, Wuzhen offers a glimpse into China's rich history and traditional way of life. Climate Threats - Wuzhen's climate is characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate, with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The region is prone to seasonal flooding and typhoons, which can cause significant damage to the ancient buildings and infrastructure. In addition, the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather events, exacerbate the risks to Wuzhen's cultural heritage. Measures such as flood control infrastructure, proper maintenance, and regular monitoring are essential to preserving the town's historic structures and preventing damage from climate-related threats.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, located in Hunan province, China, is known for its stunning sandstone pillars, lush vegetation, and unique geological formations. In December 1992, the unique quartz sandstone peak forest was included in the World Natural Heritage List by the United Nations. The natural scenery of Wulingyuan tourist area is famous for its peaks, secluded valleys and beautiful forests. There are more than 3,000 strange peaks in it, which are like people, beasts, utensils and objects. They are lifelike and spectacular. The park served as an inspiration for the fictional world of Pandora in the movie "Avatar." Its diverse flora and fauna make it an ecological hotspot and a significant natural heritage site. Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The integration of XR technology, VR, 5G, AI, and automated modeling represents innovative solutions, contributing to advancements in the tourism industry and creating new, engaging ways for visitors to experience cultural and natural heritage. Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The digital initiatives support sustainable tourism by providing an alternative, virtual experience that can help reduce the environmental impact associated with physical tourism. Goal 4 (Quality Education): The immersive and interactive nature of the digital experience contributes to educating tourists about the cultural and natural significance of Zhangjiajie, fostering awareness and appreciation.
The introduction pictures from the official website of ZhangJiaJie
Wulingyuan is a scenic and historical site in the Wulingyuan District of South Central China's Hunan Province. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is noted for more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks across most of the site, many over 200 metres (660 ft) in height, along with many ravines and gorges with attractive streams, pools, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. It features 40 caves, many with large calcite deposits, and a natural bridge named Tianqiashengkong (meaning 'bridge across the sky'), which is one of the highest natural bridges in the world. The site also provides habitat for many vulnerable species, including the dhole, Asiatic black bear, and Chinese water deer.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a national forest park located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China. It is one of several national parks within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Wulingyuan's unique quartz sandstone peaks are rare at home and abroad and are known as the "Three Thousand Strange Peaks". In the core scenic area of 217.2 square kilometres, there are 3103 quartz sandstone peaks, which are distributed between 500 and 1100 metres above sea level, ranging from a few tens of metres to 400 metres in height. The peaks are shaped like people, gods, immortals, birds, beasts and things, with many variations, and these abrupt rocky peaks and rocks stretch for thousands of hectares. Whenever the weather is clear or rainy, the valley is filled with clouds and mist, and the sea of clouds is sometimes thick and sometimes light, with the rocky peaks appearing and disappearing.
Zenghouyi Chime Bells (This picture's author is Windmemories, under CC BY-SA from wikimedia)
As one of the cultural heritages from China, the Zenghouyi Chime Bells are a set of sixty-five musical bells of different sizes and weights, hanging on a bell frame in a hierarchical arrangement. It has a history of 2,457 years and shows its significant value in sound characteristics and casting skills. Each bell can produce two different tones when struck at two different striking points, and the composition ratios of different metals in the bells were calibrated, indicating that the ancients understood how these proportions could influence the sound of the bells. However, for the purpose of cultural heritage protection, visitors are not allowed to touch or ring this exceptional artefact. Thus, some researchers designed a digital game that users can listen to the attractive bell sounds from two thousand years ago by striking a small replica of the bells embedded with digital components. This design enhances visual and acoustic experience of appreciating the excellent artefact without causing any damage to the real chime bells. It can make contribution to the target 4.7 of SDG 4 (Quality Education), by particularly promoting people to appreciate culture in a deeper and more interactive way.
Zanskar is a high altitude semi-desert lying on the Northern flank of the Great-Himalayan Range. This mountains range acts as a climatic barrier protecting Ladakh and Zanskar from most of the monsoon, resulting in a pleasantly warm and dry climate in the summer. Zanskar is a subdistrict of tehsil of the Kargil district, which lies in the Indian Union territory of Ladakh. The Zanskar Range is a mountain range in the UT of Ladakh that separates Zanskar from Ladakh. It covers an area of some 7,000 square kilometers, at a elevation of 3,500-7,135 meters. The first, the Doda, has its source near the Penzi-La mountain pass and then flows south-eastwards along the main valley leading towards Padum, the capital of Zanskar.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism
Located in Ladakh, India, along the Zanskar River, the Zanskar Valley is a remote and pristine region known for its stunning landscape, rich Tibetan Buddhist culture, and unique ecological features. The high-altitude Himalayan valley is distinguished by dramatic gorges, ancient monasteries, and unique architecture. Its natural beauty and cultural importance make it a valuable heritage site, offering insights into the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature in an extreme environment.
Yuya and Tjuyu tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV46)
Yungang Grottoes is located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, China. With a history of 1,500 years, Yungang Grottoes is the first Buddhist art treasure house carved by a nation and a dynasty into an imperial style after Buddhism art was spread to China. It is a historical monument of the integration of Chinese and Western cultures in the 5th century. The Yungang Grottoes were inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List by the United Nations in 2001. The Yungang Grottoes were built between the 2nd year of Xing 'an (453) and the 19th year of Taihe (495) of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and were the first large-scale grottoes in China to be excavated under the leadership of an imperial dignitary. The grottoes are excavated from the mountain. There are more than 1,100 Buddhas and more than 51,000 Buddhas, the largest of which is 17 meters high and the smallest of which is only 2 centimeters high. It represents the great achievements of Buddhist art in China during the 5th and 6th centuries. It was the first peak of the development history of Chinese Buddhist art.
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.
A photo of Buddha statues at the Yungang Grottoes, Datong, Shanxi, China. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 by xiquinhosilva.
The Yungang Grottoes (Chinese: 云冈石窟; pinyin: Yúngāng shíkū), formerly the Wuzhoushan Grottoes (Chinese: 武州山 / 武周山; pinyin: Wǔzhōushān), are ancient Chinese Buddhist temple grottoes near the city of Datong, then called Pingcheng, in the province of Shanxi. They are excellent examples of rock-cut architecture and one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China. The others are Longmen and Mogao. The site is located about 16 km west of the city of Datong, in the valley of the Shi Li river at the base of the Wuzhou Shan mountains. They are an outstanding example of the Chinese stone carvings from the 5th and 6th centuries. There are 53 major caves, along with 51,000 niches housing the same number of Buddha statues. Additionally, there are around 1,100 minor caves. A Ming dynasty-era fort is still located on top of the cliff housing the Yungang Grottoes.
The Yuetan Park is located in the west of South Lishi Road and south of North Yuetan Street in Xicheng District, Beijing. It was built in 1530 for the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship the God of Night (Moon) and the heavenly deities on the autumnal equinox. The ancient buildings such as the Bell Tower, the Heavenly Gate and the Divine Treasury are well preserved. It is a protected cultural heritage unit in Beijing. The Temple of the Moon was established as the Temple of the Moon Park in 1955.
Yu Garden is located in the northeast of the Old Town Hall of Shanghai, bordering Fuyou Road in the north, Anren Street in the east and Shanghai Old Town God Temple in the southwest. It was built in the Jiajing Period of the Ming Dynasty and was a private garden in the Ming Dynasty.In the Ming Dynasty Wanli period covers an area of more than 30 acres.Yuyuan Garden was opened to the public in 1961 and was listed as a key cultural relic under national protection by China's State Council in 1982.There are more than 40 ancient buildings in the garden, such as the ear hall, the iron lion, the fast building, the moon building, the jade Linglong building, the jade water gallery, the listening tao pavilion, the Hanbi building, the inner garden observation hall, the ancient stage, as well as the rockery and the pond.Sansui Hall is located at the front gate of Yuyuan Garden.
The ancient streets of Yixian County, located in Anhui Province, China.
The ancient streets of Yixian County, located in Anhui Province, China, come alive every year with a vibrant Lantern Festival that illuminates the historic Huizhou-style buildings. During the festival, hundreds of handmade lanterns—crafted in traditional forms and materials—are displayed along narrow stone-paved streets, transforming the town into a glowing corridor of cultural expression. These lanterns carry deep symbolic meaning, representing prosperity, reunion, and ancestral respect, while embodying the artistic craftsmanship passed down through generations. The festival fuses tangible and intangible heritage: the fixed architectural setting of Yixian’s grey-walled, tile-roofed buildings and the living cultural practice of lantern-making, storytelling, and communal celebration. Digital heritage tools—such as nighttime 360° mapping, oral history recordings, and augmented reality projections—can capture the multi-sensory experience of this event and ensure its transmission to younger audiences. This project supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as it promotes local identity, heritage-based tourism, and the preservation of community traditions.
Yixian Lantern Festival Cultural Landscape
Located in the heart of Yixian County in Anhui Province, the historic ancient street is a living embodiment of traditional Huizhou culture. Especially captivating at night, the street transforms into a glowing corridor of lanterns—delicate, pink-hued lights that hang rhythmically from traditional Anhui-style grey-tiled buildings. These lanterns are more than decorative; they symbolize peace, reunion, and the continuity of local traditions. The street layout, architectural style, and community life remain largely preserved, reflecting centuries of Hui merchant culture and Confucian values. Digital documentation through photography, virtual night tours, and 3D mapping can preserve the night-time ambiance of this street for future generations. The project contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting cultural identity, safeguarding living heritage, and encouraging responsible tourism.
Yixian Ancient Street during Lantern Festival
The Yinshan Mountain, located in the western part of Inner Mongolia, was the hub of Chinese northern nomadic culture in history. Not only has it witnessed the rise and fall of different ancient nomadic groups, but it reserved the trace of their living with their petroglyphs created through 10 historical stages. Among 50,000 paintings which have been found so far, the earliest one can be dated back to 10,000 years ago. The long history and rich content made it a valuable source for historical study. However, due to vandalism, natural erosion and a lack of continued protection, a lot of paintings are in peril. The preservation of Yinshan Rock Carving started in the 1980s and it was selected as one of the national heritage sites in 2006. However, most protection measures are still very traditional and not effective. So far, the government has been preserving the physical paintings by setting up monuments, CCTV and fences. Digital measures include taking pictures, videos and using GIS technologies to identify locations. These efforts enabled the government to understand the number, distribution, size and popular themes of paintings, but the digital preservation with advanced technologies has not yet been carried out.
The Yinshan Mountain, located in the western part of Inner Mongolia, was the hub of Chinese northern nomadic culture in history. Not only has it witnessed the rise and fall of different ancient nomadic groups, but it reserved the trace of their living with their petroglyphs created through 10 historical stages. Among 50,000 paintings which have been found so far, the earliest one can be dated back to 10,000 years ago. The long history and rich content made it a valuable source for historical study. However, due to vandalism, natural erosion and a lack of continued protection, a lot of paintings are in peril.
Yingge Dance mesmerized the audience in Chaoshan
Video shows the performance of Yingge Dance.
Yingge dance is one of the Han dance forms. It is popular in the Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province and Zhangzhou of Fujian Province. It is a folk square dance that combines southern martial arts, drama and other local arts. It is also popular in Hong Kong, China and Thailand. The British song and dance is affectionately called "Chinese War Dance" or "Chinese Street Dance" by fans around the world. By teaching and performing Yingge dance in schools and communities, it not only teaches dance skills, but also conveys knowledge about local history and culture, which helps to foster a sense of cultural identity and values of respect for diversity in the younger generation. This approach to education directly contributes to SDG 4.7 goal of promoting the values of sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality and cultural diversity through education.
Yinxu (modern IPA: [ín.ɕý]; Chinese: 殷墟; lit. 'Ruins of Yin') is the site of one of the ancient and major historical capitals of China. It is the source of the archeological discovery of oracle bones and oracle bone script, which resulted in the identification of the earliest known Chinese writing. The archeological remnants (or ruins) known as Yinxu represent the ancient city of Yin, the last capital of China's Shang dynasty which existed through eight generations for 255 years, and through the reign of 12 kings. Yinxu was discovered, or rediscovered, in 1899. It is now one of China's oldest and largest archeological sites, and was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. Yinxu is located in northernmost Henan province near the modern city of Anyang, and near the Hebei and Shanxi province borders. Public access to the site is permitted.
Yellowstone National Park, established as the first national park in the world in 1872, remains a vital representation of natural preservation. The park’s boundaries span the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho and has become an emblem of environmental conservation. Yellowstone National Park supports several United Nations Standard Development Goals (SDGs), including #3, #13, and #15. It contributes to #3 Good Health and Wellbeing as it promotes positive mental and physical health by providing a public and accessible space in nature for ecotourism. It’s importance to #13 Climate Action is highlighted by natural and physical attributes which allow for the observation and study of both short-term and long-term effects of climate change. Finally, it supports #15 Life on Land with its dedication to its designation as protected land, supporting the maintenance of rich biodiversity and conservation.
Yellowstone National Park is a nearly 3,500-sq.-mile wilderness recreation area atop a volcanic hot spot. Mostly in Wyoming, the park spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho too. Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. It's also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.
Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. and is also widely held to be the first national park in the world. The park is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially the Old Faithful geyser, one of its most popular. While it represents many types of biomes, the subalpine forest is the most abundant. It is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion. While Native Americans have lived in the Yellowstone region for at least 11,000 years, aside from visits by mountain men during the early-to-mid-19th century, organized exploration did not begin until the late 1860s. Management and control of the park originally fell under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of the Interior, the first Secretary of the Interior to supervise the park being Columbus Delano. However, the U.S. Army was eventually commissioned to oversee management of Yellowstone for a 30-year period between 1886 and 1916. In 1917, administration of the park was transferred to the National Park Service, which had been created the previous year. Hundreds of structures have been built and are protected for their architectural and historical significance, and researchers have examined more than a thousand archaeological sites. Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3,468.4 sq mi (8,983 km2), comprising lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges. Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-elevation lakes in North America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest supervolcano on the continent. The caldera is considered a dormant volcano. It has erupted with tremendous force several times in the last two million years. Well over half of the world's geysers and hydrothermal features are in Yellowstone, fueled by this ongoing volcanism. Lava flows and rocks from volcanic eruptions cover most of the land area of Yellowstone. The park is the centerpiece of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest remaining nearly-intact ecosystem in the Earth's northern temperate zone. In 1978, Yellowstone was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ye Olde Burying Ground is the oldest burial ground in the town of Lexington, MA. The earliest graves here mark back to the 1690s. This cemetery boasts graves of many prominent early Lexington settlers as well as the bodies of soldiers from both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Famously, the first causality of the British army is also buried here in an unmarked grave.