MOST BEAUTIFUL UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

UNESCO has more than 1,000 locations on its World Heritage List featuring truly remarkable sites that are exceptionally valuable to humanity.
A World Heritage site is a landmark or area which is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific, or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties.
From ancient ruins, monuments,and historical structures, to entire cities, to deserts, forests, islands, lakes, mountains, or wilderness areas, each of these places embodies some of the most beautiful parts of our planet and our societies.
The sites are intended for conservation, aiming to protect against risk from human or animal trespassing and desecration.
As of July 2018, there are 1,092 sites are listed: 845 cultural, 209 natural, and 38 mixed properties, in 167 states. Italy boasts the largest number of sites with 54, followed by China (53), Spain (47), France (44), Germany (44), India (37), Mexico (35) and United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories (31).
From churches to national parks to endangered wonders at risk of disappearing, these sites belong on your adventure travel bucket list. We’ve selected 10 sites for your immediate consideration -- they include both cultural and natural treasures. Check them out below.

1. TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK - NEW ZEALAND
Tongariro National Park, on the North Island of New Zealand, is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One geological and one ecological.
The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people and symbolize the spiritual links between this community and its environment. The park has active and extinct volcanoes, a diverse range of ecosystems and some spectacular landscapes.
Start your adventure at Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 12-mile hiking route that takes you past the Emerald Lakes of Mt. Tongariro, which get their emerald green color from dissolved volcanic minerals in the water.

St. Kilda, Scotland is an archipelago along the western coast of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Dramatic cliffs offer gorgeous ocean views. A unique ecosystem here is home to rich marine and birdlife.
Check out ocean cruise tours offered by local boating companies here.

La Grand-Place stands in the central square in Brussels, Belgium. It features nearly 40 lavishly appointed guild halls, built between the 14th century and 17th century, along with a beautiful bell tower. Gorgeous gothic gargoyles grace the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).

Ha Long Bay, in Vietnam, is best experienced aboard a traditional Chinese junk ship. Visit in summer for a chance to swim in the waters amid the giant outcroppings. Go in winter for a quiet peaceful journey.

The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles. It is a center of a larger zone which includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast, and Cat Ba Island to the southwest, both with similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climate, and cultural characteristcs.
500 years ago, Nguyen Trai, Vietnamese Confucian scholar and noted poet praised, the beauty of Ha Long Bay in his verse “Lộ nhập Vân Đồn,” in which he called it "rock wonder in the sky."

Rapa Nui National Park, on Easter Island, in Chile, is home to the famous 887 extant stone statues known by the name "moai," whose creation is attributed to the early Rapa Nui people who inhabited the island around 300 AD.

The park is also home to the spectacular Rano Kau Crater, set in a 1,000 foot high volcano. The crater is more than one-half mile wide.

Los Glaciares National Park, in southern Argentina, is home to many massive glaciers and glacial lakes, along with rugged, towering mountains. The park spans 1,480 magnificent acres.
The Upsala Glacier is an impressive 37 miles long. Lake Argentino is 160 km long. At its farthest end, three glaciers meet to dump their effluvia into the milky grey glacial water, launching massive igloo icebergs into the lake, delivering thunderous splashes.

Bryggen, Norway is the old merchant quarter of Bergen. It is the only preserved business district from the Hanseatic period. Its charm remains today.
The wharf of Bryggen inspired the design of the city of Arendelle, in the movie Frozen.

Wadden Sea, in the Netherlands, is a coastal wetland that is the "largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world." It is rich in biological diversity, although much is at risk due to overfishing, climate change, and pollution. Hundreds of thousands of waders, ducks, and geese use the area as a migration stopover or wintering site. And you’ll see plenty of harbor seals, grey seals, and harbor porpoise swimming and playing among the 50 islands here.

There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal, with spiritual significance, many of which are in danger after the recent devastating earthquake destabilized them.
Check out Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, Chitwan National Park, and Sagarmatha National Park.

The Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands features a circuit of concentric canals that were dug to facilitate both transportation and floodplain and swampland management in the 17th century.
This central Canal District is one of Europe’s most gorgeous cultural epicenters.

Read more about Beautiful Amazing Adventures in Breathtaking Adventure in Peru and 1000s of Beautiful Lakes in 1 Place: Romania.
And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

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- Photo: by Alexander Brown. “The Milky Way and Mount Ngauruhoe.” Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.
- Photo: by Valerio Avvisati. “Emerald pools.” Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.
- Photo: by James Stringer. “Hirta.” St. Kilda, Scotland.
- Photo: by Frank Friedrichs. “Guilds at the Grand Place in Brussels.” La Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium.
- Photo: by ccdoh1. “Chinese Junk in Flight - Ha Long Bay - Vietnam.”
- Photo: by guido da rozze. “Vietnam Ha Long Bay.” Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
- Photo: by Frank Kehren. “Ahu Tongariki.” Rapa Nui National Park, Chile.
- Photo: by Alanbritom. “Crater Rano Kau.” Rapa Nui National Park, Chile.
- Photo: by Dominic Alves. “Perito Moreno Glacier - Tourists on Viewing Platform.” Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.
- Photo: by Alan. “Bryggen Waterfront.” Bergen, Norway.
- Photo: by Christiaan Triebert. “Dutch Wadden Sea.” Wadden Sea, The Netherlands.
- Photo: by Carlos Adampol Galindo. “Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa - Lumbini, Nepal.”
- Photo: by Alex DROP. “Amsterdam blue hour magic.” Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Photo: by Kenneth Garcia. “Canal Bridge Lights.” Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Photo: by Luca Galuzzi. “Perito Moreno Glacier.” Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.
- Photo: by Jason Pratt. “Sheep In Front of Mount Ruapehu.” Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.