Asia’s New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Sep 27, 2023

Four important Asian sites were recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These are: the old tea forests of Jingmai Mountain in China; the cosmological axis of Yogyakarta in Indonesia; the archaeological site of Koh Ker in Cambodia; and the ancient town of Si Thep in Thailand. In addition, the designated area of Halong Bay in Vietnam has been expanded to include the nearby Cat Ba Archipelago.

Each of these sites represents a unique chapter in history and played an important role in shaping Asia’s culinary, cultural and artistic heritage. Asian Trails’ range of tour itineraries enables guests to take a deeper look at these important cultural treasures and connect with the communities around them.

The Ancient Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain, China

Steeped in centuries of history, China’s Jingmai Mountain is a captivating destination that is widely celebrated for its historical tea plantations. These mountains form part of the ancient Tea Horse Route, which brought China’s famous Pu’er tea to the rest of the world. The tea-cultivating communities that live on these mountains can be traced back to the 10th century and are deeply connected with nature and tradition.

With Asian Trails, guests can discover the rich culture of the Bulang and Dai ethnic minority villages. Our four-day journey includes a hike through the tea plantation forest and a chance to get up close with Asian elephants.

See our recommended itinerary: South Yunnan Discovery: Xishuangbanna to Jingmai Mountain
Contact: Asian Trails China & Hong Kong

The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Celebrated for its fine arts traditions, from ballet to batik textiles, silver-making and poetry, the city of Yogyakarta is an important cultural centre on the Indonesian island of Java. The city is built around a cosmological axis, a six-kilometre line that that connects Mount Merapi and the Indian Ocean. Situated directly on this north-south axis is the Sultan’s Palace, also known as the Kraton, an important centre for culture.

Asian Trails’ recommended four-day journey in Yogyakarta explores the city’s daily life, artistic heritage and spiritual traditions. We take in views of sacred temples and enjoy a bicycle ride through Kota Gede where skilled artisans craft exquisite silverware.

See the full itinerary: Yogyakarta Classic
Contact: Asian Trails Indonesia

Koh Ker, Cambodia

Nestled deep within the jungles of Cambodia, Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century and it is an archaeological gem that pre-dates Angkor Wat. The site encompasses an array of temples and monuments, including the iconic Prasat Thom, a seven-tiered pyramid that towers over the surrounding landscape. Koh Ker’s historical significance, combined with its striking architectural marvels, make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and travellers seeking to explore beyond Siem Reap to uncover another rich chapter of Cambodia’s past.

Asian Trails’ guests can walk in the footsteps of 10th century Khmer kings while exploring the remote temple of Koh Ker, including a picnic lunch near the ruins of Beng Mealea.

See our recommended itinerary: Koh Ker and Beng Mealea
Contact: Asian Trails Cambodia

The ancient town of Si Thep, Thailand

Dating back over 1,000 years, the historical town of Si Thep reflects the architectural style of the Dvaravati Empire which thrived in Central Thailand from the 6th to 10th centuries. The site is surrounded by a moat and features the remains of a Buddhist sanctuary and sacred stupas. The artistic traditions of this town influenced the Si Thep School of Art and has been spread to other South-East Asian cultures.

^{Image credit: JJ Harrison}

Si Thep Historical Park is nestled within the Pa Sak River valley in Phetchabun province, approximately three hours’ drive from Bangkok. Consult our Asian Trails Thailand team to learn more about our unique tour options or to arrange a customised private journey in Thailand’s north-central region.

Contact: Asian Trails Thailand

Halong Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago, Vietnam

Vietnam’s iconic Halong Bay was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, but this year’s designation has been extended to include the neighbouring Cat Ba Archipelago. A sprawling maritime forest spanning more than 17,000 hectares, the Cat Ba island cluster is home to a rich diversity of animal and plant life, including several rare and endemic species.

Asian Trails arranges scenic cruises for guests to explore the area around Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago. Several two-day and three-day cruise options are available.

See our recommended itinerary: 3 Days Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Contact: Asian Trails Vietnam

INCLUSIONS

A full day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
Transportation by car / mini-van with professional driver.
All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
All applicable taxes and service charges
Lunch at a local restaurant is included (food only)

EXCLUSIONS

Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Mai areas and restricted to main hotels only.
Regions outside the central business district such as Mae Rim, Hang Dong, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Chiang Mai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
We regret that are unable to provide pick-up and drop-off transfer services from and to apartment complexes, local guest houses or private apartments. We advise you kindly to head on your own arrangement to the nearest hotel inside the downtown Chiang Mai area.
We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
The road up and down Doi Angkhang is not suitable for large coaches; for group travel, note that the group needs to be split up into mini-vans. We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation.
For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
Due to the absence of ATM machines and credit cards payment portals, we highly recommend to bring sufficient cash with you. Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
It is recommendable to bring a jacket / sweater with you as temperatures on Doi Angkhang are often much cooler than around Chiang Mai.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package.
Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.

Asia’s New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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