The Great Wall of China in Beijing, China
rock pillars of the Tianzi Mountains in the Wulingyuan region of China
Danxia Landform in China
Tulou mud houses in Fuijan, China
Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China
Tianzhu Feng temple village near the summit of the Wudang Mountains in China
a suspension bridge over a river on Mount Qingcheng in China
Chinese Buddhist nuns performing their daily chores at Wutaishan in China
Hongcun Village in China
the monuments of Dengfeng, China
the ruins of St. Paul's cathedral in Macao, China
the North-East corner tower outside the Forbidden City in central Beijing, China
Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, China
the Imperial Mountain Summer Resort in Chengde, China
the village of Lijiang, China
a captive Panda eating bamboo at Wolong Nature Reserve in China
the terra-cotta warriors from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China
the Scholar Stone in Lingering Garden, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
a tourist walking toward the Diaolou towers of Kaiping
the ancient city of Ping Yao, China
the Fengxiansi cave of the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, China
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The Great WallStretching more than 5,000 miles, the Great Wall of China was built by first emperor, Qin, who began construction in the 3rd century B.C.
Photograph by Yimei Sun, Getty Images

21 Photos of China’s Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Explore the natural wonders and cultural treasures in the vast nation of China.

ByNational Geographic Staff
May 18, 2017

China boasts more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country, except Italy. Honored for their “cultural and natural heritage of outstanding value to humanity,” these 50 diverse sites include palaces perched on mountaintops, giant panda sanctuaries, and traditional villages that transport back in time.

The most celebrated places like the Great Wall of China or Emperor Qin's terra-cotta warriors need no introduction. Yet the immense nation of China offers an incredible wealth of World Heritage Sites, just begging to be explored.

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