Silk Road, China's Grand Canal listed as World Heritage Sites

Photo taken on June 21, 2014 shows a general view of Gongchen Bridge on China's Grand Canal, in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. China's Grand Canal, the longest artificial waterway in the world, was inscribed on the World Heritage list on June 22, 2014. The Grand Canal with a history of more than 2,400 years was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Committee which convened its 38th session in the Qatari capital. The 1,794-km canal runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province


Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2011 shows a horse team passing by the ruins of Hanyuan Hall, once an integral part of the Daming Palace which was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2009 shows tourists visiting the museum of ancient ruined site of Dingding Gate, the South Gate of the outer city of ancient Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. The Dingding Gate is the city gate that has been in use for the longest time among all ancient capitals in Chinese history.

Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2010 shows the ruins of the Subax buddhist temple in Kuqa County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Subax buddhist temple was once an influential temple in the ancient Qiuci State.

Photo taken on July 17, 2013 shows the Bingling Temple Grottoes in northwest China's Gansu Province. Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with Buddhist statues, stupas and murals, were a work in progress between the 4th and 10th centuries

Photo taken on June 28, 2012 shows the Dayan Pagoda under maintenance in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Built in 652, the Dayan Pagoda is a masterpiece of China's Buddhist architecture.

Photo taken on Oct. 3, 2013 shows the ruins of Weiyang Palace in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2013 shows local citizens visiting a temple fair near Xiaoyan Pagoda in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Photo taken on Aug. 25, 2013 shows the Gaochang Ancient City Ruins in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Photo taken on Oct. 6, 2005 shows people visiting the Kizil Grotto in Baicheng County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Baicheng is the place where the ancient Qiuci State once located

Photo taken on July 15, 2013 shows sculptures at the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province. The Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the fourth largest grottoes in China and known as the "Oriental Sculpture Museum"

Photo taken on July 22, 2013 shows people visiting the ruins of S uoyang City in Guazhou County, northwest China's Gansu Province. Suoyang, which dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), was an ancient city on the Silk Road

Photo taken on June 11, 2014 shows tourists visiting the Jiaohe Relic in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The famous ancient Silk Road and China's Grand Canal, the world's longest artificial waterway, were inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites here on Sunday.

Jointly submitted by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the application for adding part of the Silk Road, which served as a corridor for trade and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe dating back to 2,000 years ago, to the UN Educational, Scie ntific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list was approved by the World Heritage Committee at a session in the Qatari capital.

The application consists of 33 historical sites along the millennium-old trade route, including 22 in China, eight in Kazakhstan and three in Kyrgyzstan. They range from palaces and pagoda sites in cities to ruins in remote, inaccessible deserts.

It is the first time China has cooperated with foreign countries for a World Heritage nomination.

Du Yue, secretary general of the Chinese delegation at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee, said the approval of the application would strengthen cultural exchanges between China and the two Central Asian nations.

He called for the three countries' close coordination to jointly protect and pass on the Silk Road heritage from generation to generation.

At Sunday's session, UNESCO also included the Grand Canal, with a history of more than 2,400 years, in the World Heritage list.

Participants at the meeting said the 1,794-km canal, which runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province, is a valuable fruit of the Chinese people's diligence and wisdom, adding that its inclusion has enriched the content of the World Heritage.

The Paris-based UNESCO oversees the system of granting World Heritage status to important cultural and natural sites around the globe.

The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee opened on June 15 and will continue through Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua

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