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.