Heritage with Related Tags
Socotra Archipelago
Located in the northwest of the Indian Ocean, near the Gulf of Aden, the Socotra Archipelago is 250 km long and consists of four islands and two rocky islets, which appear as an extension of the Horn of Africa. The site is of universal importance for its biodiversity and rich and unique flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of reptiles and 95% of snail species are found nowhere else in the world. The site also supports globally important populations of land and seabirds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the island and 85 are regular migrants), including many endangered species. Socotra's marine life is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 coastal fish species and 300 species of crabs, lobsters and shrimps.
Western Tien-Shan
This transnational heritage site is located in the Tien Shan mountain range, one of the largest in the world. The Western Tien Shan ranges from 700 to 4,503 metres above sea level. It has a diverse landscape with extremely rich biodiversity. It is globally important as a centre of origin for many cultivated fruit crops and has a variety of forest types and unique plant communities.
Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
The first Buddhist temple in China was built in the 1st century AD in Sichuan Province, in the beautiful setting of the summit of Mount Emei. Other temples were built later, making this one of the most sacred places in Buddhism. Over the centuries, cultural treasures have continued to increase. The most striking is the Leshan Giant Buddha, built in the 8th century and carved into the hillside overlooking the confluence of three rivers. At 71 meters tall, the giant Buddha is the largest Buddha statue in the world. Mount Emei is also known for its unusually diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to subalpine pine forests. Some of the trees there are more than 1,000 years old.