The prestige bestowed by the World Heritage Status sometimes overshadows the responsibilities attached to it, like in the recent case of Georgetown. The ancient Vietnamese capital of Hue, recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1993, still faces significant challenges in fulfilling adequate restoration, conservation and protection.
photo credit: KetaiBlogger
Ancient capital and world cultural her
To build or not to build? Development projects in the World Heritage Site of Georgetown, Penang may conflict with the guidelines set by the world heritage committee, endangering its new status. It is important to note that Penang is now controlled by the Malaysian opposition after elections earlier this year, and so the idea that [...]Show on map
Two Mindanao parks the Mount Apo - Philippines highest peaks and Mount Hamiguitan - habitats of the endemic but endangered Philippine eagle, were nominated for inclusion to the highly prestigious World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).Mount ApoDavao Oriental tourism officer Cynthia Rodriguez said Gov. Corazon Malanyaon has been exertin
Exploring the bay…kayak style!
Halong Bay is one of the most spectacular, and therefore heavily ‘touristed’ attractions in Vietnam. Stretching along the Northeast Vietnamese border with China it comprises thousands of limestone karst outcroppings and more than 750 islands of all sizes that dot the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Legend has it that the [...]
Democratic Republic of Congo | More than 50 rangers fled to the forest in Virunga National Park when rebels of Laurent Nkunda seized the park headquarters at Rumangabo on Sunday. Virunga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is on the border with Rwanda and Uganda. It is known for being the home of 200 of the remaining 700 mountain gorillas. Virunga National Park has a blog where they are reporting their
UNESCO has added 27 new sites to its World Heritage List: 19 cultural sites and 8 natural sites.
Following its July conference in Quebec City, sites such as Cambodia's Temple of Preah Vihear, the historic centre of Camagüey in Cuba, Yemen's Socotra Archipelago and Mount Sanqingshan National Park in China.
Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Vanuatu and Saudi Arabia have had sites inscribed on UNE
Now I’ve gotten me a internet connection so hopefully I’ll be a little bit more active that I’ve been the last months.
As I currently live within a world heritage site I’ve walked around and taken some pictures. The parts that are easily accessible are the visible parts, in this case the church and buildings that [...]
Melaka as world heritage site recognition is still at its infancy stages. Many things must be done in order to conserve the National History now listed as world heritage site. As Melaka and Penang State just got the world heritage status, there are 851 site in the world that have been recognized by UNESCO. [...]
The Vietnamese government has completed its documentation of the ancient capital of Thang Long (Ha Noi), required for submission to UNESCO for World Heritage consideration.
Royal citadel’s file completed for UNESCO recognition
Nhan Dan, 11 August 2008
Thang Long citadel closes in on UNESCO recognition
Viet Nam News, 11 August 2008
Documentations of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel have been [..
There's so much material disintegration and exploitation on our planet that you have to pick your targets. By the time we find out about some of this, it's too late to even raise a our voices. Here's an example that...
Internet troubles (and I’ve been having a lot of them lately) have prevented me from posting the later half of last week, so here’s a roundup of the aftermath to our new Southeast Asian World Heritage sites. Georgetown and Malacca are preparing for huge celebrations and making arrangements to uphold their newfound status, while tensions [...]
PHNOM PENH, July 10 (Xinhua) – The Cambodian Association of Travel Agencies (CATA) expected that the Preah Vihear Temple in the eponymous province of the country will draw more tourists, as it has become a World Heritage Site, national media said Thursday.
“Just the novelty factor of the Preah Vihear Temple being on the list (of [...]
THE path towards World Heritage Site listing for George Town and Malacca was gruelling and at times controversial. 1. St Paul's Church located on top of St Paul's Hill.2. Various tourist spots can be found in the City Centre.3. A row of old shophouses along the river in Malacca. The perseverance of the state governments of Malacca and Penang as well as the Federal Government paid off after 10 y
KUALA LUMPUR: The citizens of Malacca and Penang rejoiced as they celebrate the inscription of their state capitals as World Heritage Sites. Besides an increase awareness and commitment towards heritage conservation, George Town and Malacca should also see a boost in tourism from the new recognition. MALACCA Historical site: St Paul’s Church located on top of St Paul’s Hill. The World Heri
MALACCA: Elation and relief were the reaction of people in the historic city and in George Town following the cities' joint inscription as Malaysia’s first cultural World Heritage Site. Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who is in Quebec, Canada for the 32nd World Heritage Committee session, described the success as "global recognition of the country’s ability to protect our un
The Thai courts issued an injuction against the Thai government from supporting Cambodia’s bid to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site, Cambodia has decided to press on with the proposal alone at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec today.
Cambodians hope for UNESCO ruling to end Thai temple claims
AFP, via The Age, 1 [...]Show on map
More drama over Preah Vihear unfolded over the weekend after Thailand’s World Heritage Committee first announced its intention to co-host the bid to list the disputed temple with Cambodia. Thai nationalists succeeded in convincing the Thai Administrative Court to issue an injunction against the Thai side of the hosting, alleging that Bangkok’s support for the [...]
The Thai government has agreed to back Cambodia’s application for the historic border temple of Preah Vihear to be listed as a World Heritage Site.
Thailand’s foreign minister, Noppadon Pattama, says that the Thai military, his ministry and Cambodian officials have jointly mapped the area around the temple to resolve any territorial disputes.
May thanks to Andy for the heads up. The Thai Fine Arts Department is hoping to propose three new sites in Thailand: Lanna, a section of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok and the Srivijaya ruins in Southern Thailand.
photo credit: The Wandering Angel
Anusorn pushes for listing of Thai sites
Bangkok Post, 17 June 2008
Anusorn pushes [...]
Taking the cue from Laos’ Luang Prabang, the governor of Bangkok wants to propose Rattanakosin, the royal and old city of Bangkok, to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
photo credit: alex-s
Apirak wants Unesco to list Rattanakosin
Bangkok Post
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Apirak wants Unesco to list Rattanakosin
SUPOJ WANCHAROEN
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin plans to [...]Show
Pattadakal, World Heritage site, near Badami, Karnataka (North) The monuments at Pattadakal, a World Heritage site, represent early experiments in Hindu temple
I had the incredible delight of spending 2 days and 2 nights in Luang Prabang (Lao.co.uk, Lao Embassy, UNESCO World Heritage, Luang Prabang 2 Day, Luang Prabang Travel, Wikipedia, Wikitravel, The New York Times, Travelfish.org). Luang Prabang is a flourishing and small town that is beautifully situated on the banks of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers (they converge in Luang Prabang). Unfortunately, I left not getting to see and do everything that I wanted to. Oh well, this just gives me a reason to came back to Laos (a country I am falling in love with!) in the near future.The first night we arrived in Luang Prabang was pretty casual. Kim, Tyler, Sonja, and I decided to find a place to watch the sunset. We didn't have to look far--we walked to Phou Si (Lao translation: Holy Mountin), which i
London is a magical place to visit that all should undertake at some point in their life. Compiling a list of sites and attractions to see while on your tour can be difficult. With so much to see and so little time, including everything you want in your tour itinerary can almost impossible. To help [...]
The Malaysian government expects the cities of Malacca and Penang to be included in the World Heritage Site register when the UNESCO committee meets in July.
photo credit: Pia888
Malacca and Penang likely to become world heritage sites in July
Malaysia Star, 02 April 2008
The Vietnamese department of culture is one step closer to having the ancient capital of Vietnam in Thanh Hoa Province listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by completing a scientific profile of the...
Visit SEAArch to read the full story, and other stories about the archaeology of Southeast Asia.
Osaka, Japan - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is best known, today announced its continual support for the UNESCO partnered World Heritage photographic project, OUR PLACE – The World’s Heritage, by renewing a 3-year sponsorship contract starting from April 1, 2008.In addition, between March 24 and 29, Panasonic will be inviting 15 professionalphotographers from OUR PLACE to participate on a 6-day shooting tour at Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto. Participants will be given LUMIX camera equipment for the duration of the tour.OUR PLACE is a project initiated by New Zealand professional photographer Mr. Geoff Steven, in close association with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The OUR PLACE project is committed to presenting to a wide global
17 October 2007 (Bangkok Post, Nation Multimedia) - The ruins of Thailand’s ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya is in danger of losing its UNESCO World Heritage Status, because of encroachment into the historic city by urbanization. One of the longest-running kingdoms in Thai history, Ayutthaya ruled between the 14th and 18th century, and finally fell to a Burmese invasion in the middle of the 18th century. Today, Ayutthaya is one of the highlights for Thailand tourism.
Creative Commons photo by Jeorg Riechel
Ayutthaya might be removed from Unesco’s World Heritage list
Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sriaroon said Wednesday it would be “unfortunate and embarrassing” if Unesco removes the Historic City of Ayutthaya and Associated Historic Towns from the World Heritage list after the site was under threat of land encroachments from rapid development.
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30 August 2007 (Thanh Nien News) - The ancient town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, which dates from the 15th century, is set to receive a financial boost to restore some of the relics, which includes houses and temples.
Hoi An to receive million-dollar face lift
entral Vietnam’s Quang Nam province will spend some VND16.6 billion on restoring relics in the historic town of Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Provincial authorities announced Thursday that the US$1.03 million project would enable the Quang Nam Preservation Center of Relics and Heritages to restore 11 relics including old houses, shrines, and temples.
The town, which was a well preserved Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
The town’s riverside buildings display a fascinating array of local and foreign influences.
Tags: Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Quang Nam Preservation Center of Relics and He
On Wednesday Stephen Harper 5,000 square kilometers would be added to the Nahanni National Park Reserve - a spectacular area of the Northwest Territories that, alongside Yellowstone and the...
Earth-centred news for the health of air, water, habitat and the fight against global warming
A while back I wrote about my short excursion to Gunung Mulu National Park (that was way back in 1998) and wanted to do some follow-up postings after that but never did. Anyway here goes. My memories of the place never really left me compared to other places I’ve been to and I never really figured out why. Until yesterday, when I saw my son drew a mountain on his colouring book. “Sharp sharp one, daddy”, he said as he tried to emphasise on how high and sharp the peaks of the mountains her drew were. First thing I thought of was, Mulu. Not Kinabalu (well maybe because I’ve never actually been there, only fantasized about it) or Everest (same reason as well). Gunung Mulu (“gunung” is mountain in the Malay language) would captivate any nature lover down to the very depths of your soul. When you enter what I refer to as ‘hallowed natural ground” that is the entrance to the national park area proper, the very first thing you will notice is the pungent smell of its natural su
25 July 2007 (Viet Nam News) - The World Heritage Sites of Ha Long Bay and the ancient city of Hue have been placed in UNESCO’s list of sites with critical preservation issues, due to the effect of unresolved development issues.
Development imperils Viet Nam’s World Heritage sites: UNESCO
Viet Nam’s Hue and Ha Long Bay have been included on a list of 130 World Heritage sites encountering critical preservation issues, the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has said.
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The committee noted that transport infrastructure and new construction sites newly built inside and around the Royal Citadel of Hue and urban development in the former royal city and its surrounding areas could have an impact on the preservation of the city of Hue, which is also a World Heritage site.
According to the Hue Centre for Monument Conservation, the committee praised the city authority’s effort to preserve the site, especially the plan to resettle households now living on the top of the Imperi
There are no Brazilian sites on the list of new World Heritage Sites announced by UNESCO. A list of the Brazilian sites (and other Latin American sites as well) on the UNESCO waiting list was published by De Viaje a Brasil, the Spanish counterpart of this blog, a few days ago.
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Lord Howe Island Group
Did you know that Australia has 16 World Heritage sites located across the length and breadth of our vast continent and even offshore? Some are in such remote locations few people have had the opportunity to visit.
Australia has long recognised the importance of preserving its rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage and was one of the first signatories to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. Since then, 182 countries have ratified the treaty. Sites nominated for World Heritage listing are inscribed on the list only after they have been carefully assessed as representing the best examples of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Each of Australia’s World Heritage properties is outstanding in its own right and collectively they present an amazing diversity of places and values. Now, gain an insight into some of the most outstanding places on earth through a stunning commemorative
Comment: This can only happen in Malaysia. On one hand, the powers-to-be wants to have everything listed as world heritage this, world heritage that and world heritage whatever but unfortunately, the heritage they have now is neglected because of flight cancellations. Go figure... I thought world heritage would lose its popularity due to poor maintenance. This is the first time I am hearing flight cancellation is attributed to its declining popularity. From Linda Khoo Hui LeePHNOM PENH, May 1 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry will embark on several promotional efforts to revive the popularity of the Mulu National Park in Sarawak.The national park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is now facing the possibility of disappearing from the world tourism map due to flight cancellations and flight connection problems since Malaysia Airlines (MAS) stopped servicing the route from last Aug 1.Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said many tourists had omitted Mulu fro
when , change reach urban old area will saw pagoda , all be smart , beautiful and holy temple , city Sukothai wall is in city old Tumbol , be a rectangle , be 3 earth walls ( in the stone inscription calls that " Three Bru ") by the scoop takes the earth upwards to fill is the wall and the ground that dig to go up still are the ditchcity wall outside in 5 kilometer radiuses , have ancient , 70 institutes about , establish in the Buddhism and the Brahminism , have restore repair by Fine Arts Department , and have establish to world heritage by an organization , UNESCO , in year 1991
Hungary is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
1. Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue
Photos by hexod.us and Marko_K
2. Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae)
Photo by Beckletic
3. Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape
Photo by Dieter Karner
4. Hortobágy National Park - The Puszta
Photo by Mr. White Rabbit
5.
