As of March 2018, UNESCO has named 1,073 World Heritage Sites, in locations from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
From this multitude of outstanding natural and cultural locations, Business Destinations has chosen its top five.
Wulingyuan, China
There is a reason this remote area of China’s Hunan province attracts so many awe-struck tourists. Here, breathtakingly tall pillars of rock, covered with subtropical rainforest, form a stunning vista of natural skyscrapers.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Meaning ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish, the 17 terraces of warm pools at Pamukkale are an impressive sight. The tiers are formed of calcium carbonate that is left by the area’s hot springs. Few other geothermal sites boast Pamukkale’s scale and beauty.
Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
New Zealand boasts breathtakingly unspoilt scenery, and the Emerald Lakes are no exception. Both a geological and ecological heritage site, dissolved volcanic minerals give these lakes their signature mesmeric colour.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Home to giant turtles, iguanas and flamingos, unspoilt nature reigns in the Galápagos. With a host of delightful white sandy beaches such as Tortuga Bay, the biodiverse Galápagos are a perfect natural idyll.
Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
This complex of 12 temples is architecturally spectacular. Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument, also boasts an impressive art collection and is situated in 99,000 acres of peaceful forest.
