I spoke too soon. Just as i have posted about the 4 Heritage sites of 2008, another few more landmarks had made it into the list making a whooping 878 of UNESCO World Heritage sites in total to date. And guess what? I’m proud to announce that our very own Malacca (Melaka) and Georgetown (Pulau Pinang) are on that list. Malaysia Boleh!

Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia

The two cities/town have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The two towns were the centre platform of the busy spice sea-route between Europe and the Far East. The trading had resulted in a rich multicultural heritage that is evident in the buildings, squares and even street names of both cities.

- The Stadhuys taken from http://www.pbase.com/ -

Melaka is best known to locals (Malaysians) for it’s red-painted Dutch buildings, rickshaws and delectable nyonya cuisine. People from all over the country drives all the way to this historical town for it’s famous chicken rice and coconut deserts.

- A Famosa taken from http://asiaphotogroup.com/ -

However Melaka is a popular tourist attraction because of it’s steep history falling back to the 15th Century where the sultanate rules and 16th Century when the Portuguese and Dutch took over before a change of hands to the British empire. Today, one will find many remnants of the glorious past scattered all over the streets of Melaka. This is balanced with other modern attractions such as water theme parks and cultural parks.

The World Heritage site covers St. Paul’s Hill civic zone (which includes A Famosa (Porta de Santiago), St. Paul’s Church and Stadhuys complex), residential and commercial areas (Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat), Heeran Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) and adjacent streets) and th Malacca River. That covers almost all the must-visit areas of Malacca.

- Jonker Street during Chinese New Year taken from http://flickr.com/photos/amazingmelaka/ -

The largest city on Penang Island, Georgetown is a wonderful blend of cultures. George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The town retains most of its colonial charm, its narrow streets flanked by charming yet crumbling shop houses. Yet another town in Malaysia that still have rickshaws. You can see tourist relaxing while the rickshaw puller/cycler take them around town.

- Penang bridge taken from http://www.h4ppy.com/blog/ -

Founded in 1786 by British trader Francis Light, Georgetown was one of the three Straits Settlements along with Melaka and Singapore. It was the first British trading post in the Far East. Cathedrals, mosques, government offices, temples, bazaars, shops and cafes; the city has plenty of good food and things to see.

- Fort Cornwallis taken from http://timothytiah.blogspot.com/ -

Stepping into George Town is like stepping into the past with it’s old Peranakan houses and narrow back alleys. Yet it’s sandy, palm-fringed beaches care just close by.

Besides the centuries spanned architecture and complexes in George Town, Pulau Pinang (Penang) is also famous for its unique local culture especially the cuisine. Diners can enjoy a wide selection of good food at the local restaurants—everything from Malay satay to Chinese stir-fry. Who could resist Penang’s Chao Kuey Tiao?

- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion taken from http://www.avparker.com/category/misc/ -

The Heritage Site covers the Waterfront district (Esplanade and harbour area, Fort Cornwallis, Weld Quay and Beach Street), historical commercial centre (Bisop and Church street, China Street, Market and Chulia Streets and Little India), guilds and trades precinct (Chulia, Muntri, Leith and adjacent streets),mosques and wakaf enclave of Acheen Street and Kapitan Keling Mosque and also Chinese clan enclsave with Khoo, Cheah, Tan, Lim, Yap and Yeah clan or kongsi houses.

- Khoo Kongsi taken from http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.natasha/ -

Read the Star newspaper this morning. There was an article about 3 places added in the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Interesting as i found out from the official website that there are actually 4 destinations added in the list for the year 2008.

Update (08/07/2008 8:28pm): Another 8 sites had qualified as World Heritage sites; including Malaysia’s very own Malacca (Melaka) and Georgetown (Pulau Pinang).

1) Fujian Tolou, China

- Fujian Tulou taken from http://picasaweb.google.com/kit.law/ -

Fujian Tulou is a property of 46 houses built between the 12th and 20th centuries in south-west of Fujian province, in the mountain areas. Residence to the Hakka people in Fujian, these earth buildings or more known as “tulou” are built in a circular floor plan that could house up to 800 residence. The buildings are wonderfully furnished and could easily house hundreds of family members, each occupying a whole floor. Within the buildings, there are several pillar couplets, carvings examples of ancient calligraphy, and other treasures, which reflect the Hakkas rich culture.

- Within Tulou taken from http://picasaweb.google.com/kit.law/ -

However, the buildings was not built for the purpose of culture and art alone. These tall circular tulou were built for defence purposes. The ingenious structure (tall and circular mud walls with few windows and only one entrance), functions as protection against high winds, undesirable weather and as a guard against enemies.

2) The Armenian Monastic Ensembles, Iran

The Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran, located in the north-west of the country, consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian Christian faith: St Thaddeus and St. Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor. The monastic ensembles are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through the centuries with St. Thaddeus dating back to the 7th century. The architecture nears evidence of regional cultures; Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian.

- St. Thaddeus taken from http://www.allaroundpersia.com/ -

The Armenian Church and Monastery of St. Thaddeus has many other names. St. Thaddeus Church, Kara Kelisa (Qara Kelisa) or the Black Church (for its section built with black stones) is the same. Situated about 18 km south of Maku, it is considered as one of the oldest church in the world. Historians believe that the church is the tomb of Apostle Thadeus (St. Jude). Today the church is known as Qara Kelisa and belongs to the Armenian community of Iran.

The cruciform building, stands on a hill consists of two distinct parts; a domed sanctuary built largely of black stone, and the main body of the church, built of white sandstone, under a second and larger tent dome whose twelve-sided drum is pierced by an equal number of windows.

- St. Stepanos taken from http://www.allaroundpersia.com/ -

St. Stephanos Monastery is located in Julfa on the ex-Soviet frontier is said to have been founded by St. Bartholomew the Apostle. The present sanctuary building is attributed to King Ashot of Armenia.

3) Le Morne Cultural Landscape, Mauritius

- Le Morne taken from http://www.raybaud.eu/ -

The panoramic and breathtaking landscape is enough for Le Morne to reserve a place in the UNESCO list. As it turns out, Le Morne, Mauritius is not only known for it’s beautiful rugged maintain but also for its rich history. Le Morne is a symbol of resistance to slavery as it was used as shelter to maroons and slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The isolated mountain and inaccessible sacred landscapes provided the maroons protection and privacy. They lived in small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne. It has since become a symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom and their suffering which result in Mauritius’ more popular name the “Maroon Republic”.

4) AL-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih), Saudi Arabia

- Madâin Sâlih taken from http://members.virtualtourist.com/ -

The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) about 1,111 km west-northwest of Riyadh and about 402 km northwest of Madinah, is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. It occupies a strategic position on the ancient spice route (Frankincense Route). All caravans crossing the area passed by Al Hijr.

- The Elephant Rock taken from http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/ -

Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It is also one of the best archaeological sites which you can find in Saudi Arabia. This place boasts a 111 monumental Nabatean tombs and water wells which was intricately carved dated back between the period of 1st Century BC and the 1st Century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings and burial chambers. As they say, Madâin Sâlih is considered as the second city of those Nabateans who carved the great city of Petra in Jordan..

Sigh… another 4 in the 800++ place on my wish list.