Do something different when planning your autumn travels and add UNESCO natural and cultural attractions that are not yet categorized as “too touristy” to your list.
Most of us know that the Egyptian Pyramids, Machu Picchu or the Ancient City of Petra, which have great importance in world history, are on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. Some natural or historical monuments and destinations, which have entered the list to which new values are added every year, with their extraordinary features and have not yet been discovered by the masses, are still waiting for their visitors.
Danxia Landforms, China
The extraordinary forms created by nature always fascinate and amaze humanity. Just like the Danxia Landforms in China. The rocks in red, orange, green and yellow colors, also known as the Rainbow Mountains, emerged as a result of sandstone and minerals that were formed by tectonic movements that took place 24 million years ago and took on color tones with rains and winds over the years. It is definitely worth traveling to see this natural masterpiece located in a geopark in China’s Gansu region.
Jaipur, India
Jaipur, one of the most beautiful cities of India, is a magical destination declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 1700s, the Pink City stands out with its innovative city planning and Vedic architecture. Iconic structures such as the Hawa Mahal Palace, built of red and pink sandstone, and the Birla Mandir Temple, built only of white marble, are the main elements that brought Jaipur to the World Heritage List. Be sure to include this magical city in the Rajastan region in your travel plans.
Lake Nakuru, Kenya
Kenya, one of the leading countries in East Africa, known for its unique wildlife, has made a name for itself mostly with the Maasai Mara National Park. However, Lake Nakuru, a natural masterpiece, attracts attention as another national park worthy of being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fact that this soda lake is home to many extraordinary bird species, especially pink flamingos, has placed it among the travel plans of nature lovers.
Mont-Saint-Michel, France
One of the most elegant monasteries in Europe, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in the Normandy region of France. Mont-Saint-Michel Monastery, which rises majestically on a cliff that can be reached by passing through a narrow road surrounded by swamps, on an island formation with high tides, is one of the important pilgrimage destinations of the Middle Ages. The magnificent Gothic building, built in the eighth century, and the island on which it is located were also used as a prison during the French Revolution due to its fortified, fortified architecture.
Mount Fuji, Japan
Those who go to Japan may miss Mount Fuji while getting lost between the lively structure of the capital Tokyo and the spiritual beauties of Kyoto. However, this majestic mountain, included in UNESCO’s list, is of great importance as the highest mountain in Japan. It is visible from Tokyo on clear days and also has the seventh island peak on earth. Formed as a result of a series of volcanic eruptions, Mount Fuji has always inspired Japanese art because it is considered a sacred mountain. With this feature, it has been included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
Socotra Island, Yemen
Socotra Island, off Yemen’s Indian Ocean, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its untouched nature and extraordinary vegetation. For example, it is claimed that the red liquid obtained from the plant known as dragon blood, which grows in Socotra, is good for all diseases. The fact that it has a unique ecosystem with more than 300 endemic plant species indicates that this very special destination should be protected.
Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia
Dubrovnik, the magical city of Croatia, one of the rising stars of the recent period in tourism, fascinates visitors especially with its historical old city center. Stari Grad (Old City), surrounded by walls, which bears traces of Byzantium, Venice and the Ottoman Empire in its history, causing Dubrovnik to be known as the Castle City, has been accepted to the World Heritage List by UNESCO as one of the places where you can experience the Middle Ages most beautifully on the continent. The Pile Gate, which opens into the huge walls, will truly take you to completely different worlds.
Viking Castles, Denmark
The legacy left behind by the Vikings, historically known as the warrior, pirate and merchant tribe of the Scandinavians, has features that are at least as interesting as themselves. For example, the castles belonging to the tribe that invaded Europe between the 8th and 11th centuries were Denmark’s gift to the world. The giant ring castles from the Viking Age, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, truly display a unique architecture with their circular geometry that makes good use of the topography of the region in which they are located.
Gordion Ancient City, Türkiye
The Ancient City of Gordion, located in Polatlı near Ankara, became one of our cultural assets accepted to the UNESCO World Heritage List last month. The magnificent walled castle in Gordion, the historical capital of the Phrygian Civilization, and the numerous tumuli around it stand out as one of the longest-inhabited areas among Anatolian civilizations. Gordion Ancient City stands out as our 20th permanent cultural asset on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
