UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit before you die

In case you didn’t know, May is National Heritage Month. According to Presidential Proclamation no. 439 s. 2003, the National Heritage Month is done in recognition of the need to create among the people a consciousness, respect, and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history.

This year’s theme is “Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana” (National Unity for Heritage), highlighting the unifying force of a common heritage as a nation and underscoring the need for national unity to ensure that such heritage is preserved for generations to come.

That said, here is a list of world heritage sites recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that you should definitely visit at least once before, you know, you die.

San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila

Year of inscription: 1993

 

Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte

Year of inscription: 1993

 

Santa Maria Church, Ilocos Sur

Year of inscription: 1993

 

Miag-ao Church, Iloilo

Year of inscription: 1993

These four churches all share the same architectural style and are unique reinterpretations of the European Baroque by Chinese and Filipino craftsmen.

 

Vigan, Ilocos Norte

Year of inscription: 1999

The town’s beauty was described by UNESCO as “the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.” It reflects the coming together of different cultural elements from China, Europe, and the Philippines.

 

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

Year of inscription: 1995

Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net

Calling the rice terraces outstanding is an understatement. These are located in the remote areas of the Philippine Cordillera mountain on the northern island of Luzon. It’s another perfect example of an evolved, cultural landscape that can be traced back to pre-colonial Philippines. (No wonder Thanos chose this as his getaway spot.)

 

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

Year of inscription: 2014

Photo courtesy of Asian Journal

The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary has an elevation range of 75-1,637 m. above sea level and is home to a number of plant and animal species. The property showcases terrestrial and aquatic habitats at different elevations, including endemic flora and fauna (eight of which can only be found at Mount Hamiguitan).

 

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Year of inscription: 1999

Photo courtesy of UNESCO

Its healthy ecosystem and limestone karst landscape make it one of the most significant natural parks in Asia. A highlight of each visit is the underground river ride. It goes through a dome of stalactites and stalagmites running the entire length of the cave.

 

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Year of inscription: 1993

The Tubbataha Reef has been vulnerable to coral bleaching a few times before, but thanks to conservation efforts, it remains as one of the most protected reefs in the world today. The park covers an area of 33,000 hectares and is home to a diverse population of marine life with more than 300 coral species and 400 species of fish.

Header courtesy of Palawan Wonders

 

Read more:

All the museums with free admission on May 18

Discovery of the day: Humans have been in the Philippines as long as 709,000 years ago

Here’s what your phones need: An app that maps PH historical markers for you

Read more from Bea Llagas:

100-year old penitentiary in Iloilo is now a national museum

Instituto Cervantes finds new home in Intramuros

LOOK: Photographer with agoraphobia captures the world through Google Street View

Writer: BEA LLAGAS

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