China is one of the world's four old civilized countries, enjoying a vast territory and beautiful mountains and waters. Stretching across thousands of miles and having a history of five thousand years, China's magnificent and gorgeous natural landscapes and long history have carried in itself the nation's brilliant cultural and natural heritages, a valuable wealth also shared by the whole world.On 12th of December of 1985, China joined the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and on October 29 of 1999, was elected as a member of the WHC. Over the past 25 years, Chinese government together with its people have spared no efforts to protect and utilize world heritages and have made distinguished contributions to this project.

Preface

Creams of Nature and Gems of China

World Cultural Heritage

The Great Wall  008

Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang  008

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor  040

Mogao Caves  050

Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian  060

Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa  064

Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde  078

Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu  092

Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains  102

Lushan National Park  108

Old Town of Lijiang  114

Ancient City of Pingyao  124

Classical Gardens of Suzhou  132

Summer Palace in Beijing  146

Temple of Heaven in Beijing  158

Dazu Rock Carvings   168

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System  176

Longmen Grottoes  182

Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties  188

Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui--Xidi and Hongcun  208

Yungang Grottoes  220

Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom  226

Historic Centre of Macao  230

Yin Xu  236

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages  242

Fujian Tulou   250

Mount Wutai  258

Mixed World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Mount Taishan  266

Mount Huangshan  276

Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha  286

Mount Wuyi  298

World Natural Heritage

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area  308

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area  314

Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area  322

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas  332

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries  340

South China Karst  344

Mount Sanqingshan National Park  352

Chronology of Inclusion of China's Sites

on the World Heritage List  358