Top Natural Heritages in Asia
For tourists who seek out stunning natural sceneries, Asia must be one of the best choices. There are dozens of cultural and natural UNESCO sites in Asia, which are famous for different landforms. In this article, we're going to introduce the following top Natural Heritages in Asia to you, and we hope that this list may help you with your Asia travel plan.
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, China
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Located in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China, Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area covers a total area of about 690 square kilometers. The whole scenic area consists of four national parks, including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve. There are more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks in this area, which create extraordinary mountain views. The meandering streams, beautiful caves, magnificent gorges, and waterfalls also provide tourists with more options to explore nature.
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries is 924,500 square kilometers. Currently, more than 30% endangered wild pandas in the world live there, including seven nature reserves and nine scenic spots in Qionglai Mountain and Jiajinshan Mountain. As the largest and most complete panda habitat in the world, Qionglai Mountain is the original tropical forest remains of Tertiary period and also the most important breeding ground for captive pandas. It is also home to critically endangered animals such as the red panda, snow leopard and clouded leopard. The habitat is also home to one of the richest plant species in the world outside of tropical rainforests, with 5,000 to 6,000 plant species belonging to more than 1,000 genera.
Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Chitwan National Park was established in 1973, and it is the first national park in Nepal. The park is nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, with rich flora and fauna. As the largest wildlife park in Nepal, Chitwan National Park is the sanctuary for Bengal tigers, elephants, rhinos, leopards, deer, and crocodiles. Here you can have the chance to see all varieties of wild animals. In 1984, Chitwan National Park was granted the status of a World Heritage Site.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, located in the middle of the Sulu Sea, is a marine protected area in the Philippines. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993. With excellent natural conditions, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is the largest coral-generating water in Southeast Asia, and it is home to a wide variety of marine species. About two-thirds of the entire protected area are covered by corals, containing more than 360 coral species, 600 fish species, 11 shark species, and 100 bird species. It is considered to be the best dive spot in the Philippines, and one of the best dive destinations in the world.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is famous for its spectacular karst sceneries, with an exotic combination of water, stone, and the sky. In 1994, Ha Long Bay was listed as a natural heritage on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. The typical forms of the small islands in Ha Long Bay are jagged limestone columns sticking out of the sea, as well as some caves and caves. There are thousands of individual islands around Ha Long Bay, which have different sizes and shapes, combining a beautiful scene with the emerald green water. The best time to visit Ha Long Bay is from November to February of the following year.
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Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia
Gunung Mulu National Park is well-known for its karst caves and mountains, and the cave formation was the result of the tectonic uplift of the karst 2 to 5 million years ago. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most studied tropical karst area in the world. It has attracted lots of scientists and nature lovers. Gunung Mulu National Park is considered to be a great place for trekking, and the main trekking routes include The Pinnacles Summit Trek, The Headhunter's Trail, and Gunung Mulu Summit Trek.
Shirakami-Sanchi, Japan
Shirakami-Sanchi has the last virgin beech forests in the world. Covering almost one-third of the Shirakami mountain range, Shirakami-Sanchi is located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures. It was listed on the World Nature Heritage Site list in 1993. Around the nature reserve, you can see some beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and mountains. Hiking around Shirakami-Sanchi will be an unforgettable experience when traveling in Japan. You can choose popular hiking trails that lead to the Anmon Falls and Juniko Lakes, or head to Mount Shirakamidake, which is the highest peak of the mountain range.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Komodo National Park consists of 29 volcanic islands, including three larger islands Komodo, Padar, Rinca, and other 26 smaller islands. This park is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, covering an area of about 1,733 km². Komodo National Park was initially established to protect the Komodo dragon and then expanded to protect various species of both terrestrial and marine. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. This national park has a rich marine environment with thousands of different species of tropical fish and corals. Scuba diving in Komodo National Park is highly recommended.
Jeju Island, South Korea
Jeju Island is the largest island in South Korea, containing the natural world heritage site, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. Being a volcanic island, Jeju Island is an island formed by volcanic activity 2 million years ago. The landform of Jeju Island belongs to the typical lava cave terrain, and more than 60 karst caves have been discovered on the island so far. Here you can admire places of interest and enjoy the beautiful natural landscape. Except for the lava tube caves, waterfalls, and beaches, you can try surfing when traveling in Jeju, as it's the birthplace of Korean surfing. What's more, the island retains its unique customs, dialects, and culture from ancient times, which will give you rich experiences.
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