UNESCO Has Recently Added 24 New World Heritage Sites. Here Are the Ones We’re Excited to Visit

Since 1978, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has consistently added new locations to its World Heritage list, celebrating their remarkable cultural, historical, and natural importance. These sites range from ancient ruins that reveal the secrets of lost civilizations to breathtaking landscapes showcasing the wonders of nature. These recent additions highlight humanity’s diverse heritage and the planet’s remarkable biodiversity. Once a site is included on the list, local authorities take on the responsibility of its preservation and protection, with UNESCO offering support when sites face threats.

The organization has just unveiled its new selections for 2024, featuring a collection of two dozen remarkable sites from around the globe.

These extraordinary sites bring the total to 1,223 across 168 countries, including iconic locations like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (designated in 1981), Mount Fuji in Japan (added in 2013), and Bagan, a sacred site with over 2,000 temples in Myanmar (recognized in 2019). Collectively, they provide profound insights into the narratives that shape our world and emphasize the collective effort to protect these invaluable treasures for future generations.

Discover seven of the newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are worth planning a visit around.

Beijing Central Axis, China

Spanning nearly five miles from the Drum and Bell Towers to Yongdingmen Gate, the Beijing Central Axis links numerous renowned historical and cultural sites at the heart of China’s capital. Key attractions include the Forbidden City (known as the Imperial Palace), the Temple of Heaven, and the Palace Museum. Many structures date back to the 13th century. While some sites, such as the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Imperial Divine Temple, require an admission fee, others like Tian’anmen Square and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall can be visited for free. Operating hours vary, with the earliest opening at 5 a.m. and the latest closing at 10 p.m.

The Flow Country, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland

Nestled in Scotland's Highland region, the Flow Country is among Europe’s few remaining true wildernesses and boasts the largest blanket bog in the world. This vast, rolling landscape of peatlands is teeming with biodiversity and serves as a sanctuary for rare birds, plants, and wildlife. Additionally, it plays a critical role in large-scale carbon storage. Visitors can explore the Flow Country throughout the year, but summer provides optimal weather and a wealth of avian activity. The main access points are the quaint towns of Thurso and Wick, both reachable by train from Inverness or via road. Numerous walking trails accommodate various skill levels, with the Forsinain Trail being a favored six-mile loop that meanders through bogs and woodlands.

Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, South Africa

Covering South Africa, this property features 14 significant sites that tell the story of Nelson Mandela. Highlights include the Union Buildings (the current official government seat), the Sharpeville Sites (which honor the 69 victims of the protest against the oppressive Pass Laws), and the Great Place at Mqhekezweni (where Mandela spent his formative years). UNESCO states, “These locations encapsulate pivotal moments related to the enduring fight against the apartheid regime; Mandela’s role in fostering understanding and reconciliation; and philosophies rooted in non-racialism, Pan-Africanism, and ubuntu—a concept that emphasizes our shared humanity.”

Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan

The Sado Island Gold Mines, located in the Niigata prefecture of Japan, are historical mining sites with a legacy of over 400 years. Once the largest producers of gold and silver in Japan, these mines operated from the Edo period until their closure in the 1980s. Visitors can explore two main areas: the Sodayu and Doyu tunnels. The Sodayu section features recreated scenes from Edo-era mining, while the Doyu section highlights the advanced mining techniques from the Meiji era and later. To reach the mines, tourists can take a ferry from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port on Sado Island, then utilize local buses or rent a vehicle to get to the site. The mines are open all year round.

Schwerin Residence, Germany

Constructed throughout the 19th century as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in northeast Germany, this expansive estate consists of 38 components, including the renowned Schwerin Castle along with its surrounding gardens, courtyards, auxiliary buildings, and the Pfaffenteich Lake. The palace’s splendid rooms and halls welcome visitors year-round, offering guided tours in several languages that provide a deep dive into its history, architecture, and cultural importance. Self-guided audio tours are also available. Schwerin can be easily reached by train or car from major German cities like Berlin or Hamburg, and the palace is just a short walk from the central train station.

Via Appia, Italy

Constructed between 312 B.C.E. and the 4th century, Via Appia stands as one of the most renowned ancient Roman roads. It played a crucial role in the expansion of the Roman Empire by enabling the movement of troops, goods, and travelers. Known as Regina Viarum, or Queen of Roads, it originally linked Rome to Capua in the south and later extended to Brindisi in southeastern Italy, covering a distance of 400 miles. The route was significant for numerous historical events and became adorned with monuments, tombs, and milestones. Accessing it from Rome is convenient, with popular attractions including the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano, the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, the Circus of Maxentius, and Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, where visitors can walk or cycle along sections of the ancient roadway.

Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Situated close to the village of Ravno in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vjetrenica Cave is famous for its complex system of underground passages, stunning limestone formations, and diverse wildlife, including unique aquatic species such as the blind salamander. Guided tours operate year-round, allowing visitors to explore the main chambers while learning about the cave's history, geological characteristics, and extraordinary fauna. Vjetrenica Cave lies about 10 miles from Ravno and around 50 miles from Dubrovnik, Croatia, making it accessible by car.

The full list of new UNESCO World Heritage sites for 2024

• Badain Jaran Desert – Towers of Sand and Lakes (China)
• Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital (China)
• Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu (Romania)
• Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake (Russian Federation)
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia (Romania)
• Hegmataneh (Iran)
• Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (South Africa)
• Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Brazil)
• Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia (Ethiopia)
• Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (India)
• Phu Phrabat, a testament to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (Thailand)
• Royal Court of Tiébélé (Burkina Faso)
• Sado Island Gold Mines (Japan)
• Saint Hilarion Monastery/ Tell Umm Amer (State of Palestine)
• Schwerin Residence Ensemble (Germany)
• Te Henua Enata – the Marquesas Islands (France)
• The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (Malaysia)
• The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area (Saudi Arabia)
• The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa (South Africa)
• The Flow Country (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
• The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (Kenya)
• Umm Al-Jimāl (Jordan)
• Via Appia. Regina Viarum (Italy)
• Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

UNESCO has placed Tell Umm Amer, a historic monastery situated in the Gaza Strip, on its World Heritage in Danger list due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As noted by UNESCO, this monastery is among the oldest locations in the Middle East and served as the first monastic community in the Holy Land.