List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has designated 45 World Heritage Sites in nine countries (also called State parties) of Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Only Brunei and Timor-Leste (East Timor) lack World Heritage Sites.

Indonesia lead the list with ten inscribed sites, followed by Vietnam with eight inscribed sites, with Thailand has seven, the Philippines six, Cambodia and Malaysia four each, Laos three, Myanmar two, and Singapore one. The first sites from the region were inscribed at the 15th session of the World Heritage Committee in 1991. The latest site inscribed are Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar in Cambodia, the Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments in Thailand, and the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks in Indonesia, inscribed in the 45th session of the Committee in 2023. Each year, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee may inscribe new sites or delist those no longer meeting the criteria, the selection based on ten criteria of which six stand for cultural heritage (i–vi) and four for natural heritage (vii–x); some sites are "mixed" and represent both types of heritage. In Southeast Asia, there are 30 cultural, 14 natural and 1 mixed sites.

The World Heritage Committee may also specify that a site is endangered, citing "conditions which threaten the very characteristics for which a property was inscribed on the World Heritage List." One site in this region, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, is listed as endangered; Angkor and Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were once listed but were taken off in 2004 and 2012 respectively.

By comparison with other world regions such as East Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Central America, and Western Europe, the designation of UNESCO sites in the Southeast Asian region has been regarded as 'too few and too slow' since the inception of the 21st century. Scholars from various Southeast Asian nations have suggested for the establishment of an inclusive Southeast Asian body that will cater to the gaps of the region's activities in UNESCO as the majority of nations in the region are underperforming in the majority of the lists adopted by UNESCO, notably the World Heritage List.

Legend

The table is sortable by column by clicking on the List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  at the top of the appropriate column; alphanumerically for the Site, Area, and Year columns; by state party for the Location column; and by criteria type for the Criteria column. Transborder sites sort at the bottom.
    Site; named after the World Heritage Committee's official designation
    Location; at city, regional, or provincial level and geocoordinates
    Criteria; as defined by the World Heritage Committee
    Area; in hectares and acres. If available, the size of the buffer zone has been noted as well. A value of zero implies that no data has been published by UNESCO
    Year; during which the site was inscribed to the World Heritage List
    Description; brief information about the site, including reasons for qualifying as an endangered site, if applicable.

World Heritage Sites

  † In danger
Site Image Location Criteria Area
ha (acre)
Year Description Refs
Angkor Siem Reap Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Cambodia
13°26′N 103°50′E / 13.433°N 103.833°E / 13.433; 103.833 (Angkor)
Cultural:
(i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
40,100 (99,000) 1992 The site was listed as endangered from its inscription in times of political instability following the civil war in the 1980s to 2004.
Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley Perak, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Malaysia
5°4′N 100°58′E / 5.067°N 100.967°E / 5.067; 100.967 (Lenggong Valley)
Cultural:
(iii), (iv)
398.64 (985.1); buffer zone 1,786.77 (4,415.2) 2012
Bagan Mandalay Region, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Myanmar
21°10′00″N 94°52′00″E / 21.166667°N 94.866667°E / 21.166667; 94.866667 (Bagan)
Cultural:
(iii), (iv), (vi)
5,005.49 (12,368.8); buffer zone 18,146.83 (44,841.8) 2019
Ban Chiang Archaeological Site Udon Thani Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand
17°32′55″N 103°47′23″E / 17.54861°N 103.78972°E / 17.54861; 103.78972 (Ban Chiang Archaeological Site)
Cultural:
(iii)
30 (74); buffer zone 760 (1,900) 1992
Baroque Churches of the Philippines Manila; Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; Paoay, Ilocos Norte and Miag-ao, Iloilo; List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Philippines
14°35′24″N 120°58′12″E / 14.59000°N 120.97000°E / 14.59000; 120.97000 (Baroque Churches of the Philippines)
Cultural:
(ii), (iv)
1993
Borobudur Temple Compounds Magelang Regency, Central Java, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
7°36′28″S 110°12′13″E / 7.60778°S 110.20361°E / -7.60778; 110.20361 (Borobudur Temple Compounds)
Cultural:
(i), (ii), (vi)
25.51 (63.0); buffer zone 64.31 (158.9) 1991 Buddhist monument dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, located in Central Java. The monument structure is a large stepped pyramid crowned with rows of stupas.
Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long - Hanoi Hanoi, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
21°2′22″N 105°50′14″E / 21.03944°N 105.83722°E / 21.03944; 105.83722 (Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi)
Cultural:
(ii), (iii), (vi)
18.395 (45.46); buffer zone 108 (270) 2010
Citadel of the Hồ Dynasty Tây Giai, Vĩnh Lộc District, Thanh Hóa Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
20°4′41″N 105°36′17″E / 20.07806°N 105.60472°E / 20.07806; 105.60472 (Citadel of the Ho Dynasty)
Cultural:
(ii), (iv)
155.5 (384); buffer zone 5,078.5 (12,549) 2011
Complex of Huế Monuments Thừa Thiên–Huế Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
16°28′10″N 107°34′40″E / 16.46944°N 107.57778°E / 16.46944; 107.57778 (Complex of Hué Monuments)
Cultural:
(iii), (iv)
315.47 (779.5); buffer zone 71.93 (177.7) 1993
Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy Bali, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
8°20′0″S 115°0′0″E / 8.33333°S 115.00000°E / -8.33333; 115.00000 (Cultural Landscape of Bali Province)
Cultural:
(iii), (v), (vi)
19,519.9 (48,235); buffer zone 1,454.8 (3,595) 2012
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo and Buriram Provinces, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand
14°20′N 102°3′E / 14.333°N 102.050°E / 14.333; 102.050 (Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex)
Natural:
(x)
615,500 (1,521,000) 2005
Gunung Mulu National Park Northern Sarawak, Borneo, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Malaysia
4°8′N 114°55′E / 4.133°N 114.917°E / 4.133; 114.917 (Gunung Mulu National Park)
Natural:
(vii), (viii), (ix), (x)
52,864 (130,630) 2000
Hạ Long Bay - Cát Bà Archipelago Quảng Ninh Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
20°54′N 107°6′E / 20.900°N 107.100°E / 20.900; 107.100 (Ha Long Bay)
Natural:
(vii), (viii)
65,650 (162,200); buffer zone 34,140 (84,400) 1994
Historic City of Ayutthaya Ayutthaya Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand
14°20′52″N 100°33′38″E / 14.34778°N 100.56056°E / 14.34778; 100.56056 (Historic City of Ayutthaya)
Cultural:
(iii)
289 (710) 1991
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet Provinces, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand
17°0′26″N 99°47′23″E / 17.00722°N 99.78972°E / 17.00722; 99.78972 (Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns)
Cultural:
(i), (iii)
11,852 (29,290) 1991
Historic Town of Vigan Ilocos Sur, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Philippines
17°34′30″N 120°23′15″E / 17.57500°N 120.38750°E / 17.57500; 120.38750 (Historic Town of Vigan)
Cultural:
(ii), (iv)
17.25 (42.6) 1999
Hội An Ancient Town Hội An, Quảng Nam Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
15°53′0″N 108°20′0″E / 15.88333°N 108.33333°E / 15.88333; 108.33333 (Hoi An Ancient Town)
Cultural:
(ii), (v)
30 (74); buffer zone 280 (690) 1999
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex
List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia 
Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand
13°14′N 5°5′E / 13.233°N 5.083°E / 13.233; 5.083 (Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex)
Natural:
(x)
408,940 (1,010,500) 2021
Kinabalu Park Sabah, Borneo, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Malaysia
6°15′N 116°30′E / 6.250°N 116.500°E / 6.250; 116.500 (Kinabalu Park)
Natural:
(ix), (x)
75,370 (186,200) 2000
Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar Preah Vihear Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Cambodia
13°46′59″N 104°32′14″E / 13.78306°N 104.53722°E / 13.78306; 104.53722 (Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar)
Cultural:
(ii), (iv)
1,187.61 (2,934.6); buffer zone 3,523.77 (8,707.4) 2023
Komodo National Park East Nusa Tenggara, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
8°33′S 119°29′E / 8.550°S 119.483°E / -8.550; 119.483 (Komodo National Park)
Natural:
(vii), (x)
219,322 (541,960) 1991
Lorentz National Park Papua, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
4°45′S 137°50′E / 4.750°S 137.833°E / -4.750; 137.833 (Lorentz National Park)
Natural:
(vii), (ix), (x)
2,350,000 (5,800,000) 1999
Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars Xiangkhouang Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Laos
19°25′48″N 103°9′10.8″E / 19.43000°N 103.153000°E / 19.43000; 103.153000 (Plain of Jars)
Cultural: (iii) 174.56 (431.3); buffer zone 1,012.94 (2,503.0) 2019 Located on a plateau in central Laos, gets its name from more than 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars used for funerary practices in the Iron Age.
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca Malacca and Penang, Malay Peninsula, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Malaysia
5°25′17″N 100°20′45″E / 5.42139°N 100.34583°E / 5.42139; 100.34583 (Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca)
Cultural:
(ii), (iii), (iv)
154.68 (382.2); buffer zone 392.8 (971) 2008
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Davao Oriental, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Philippines
6°43′2″N 126°10′24″E / 6.71722°N 126.17333°E / 6.71722; 126.17333 (Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary)
Natural:
(x)
16,923.07 (41,817.8); buffer zone 9,729.47 (24,042.0) 2014
Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary Duy Phú, Duy Xuyên District, Quảng Nam Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
15°31′0″N 108°34′0″E / 15.51667°N 108.56667°E / 15.51667; 108.56667 (My Son Sanctuary)
Cultural:
(ii), (iii)
142 (350); buffer zone 920 (2,300) 1999
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto West Sumatra, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
0°40′0″S 100°47′0″E / 0.66667°S 100.78333°E / -0.66667; 100.78333 (Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto)
Cultural:
(ii),(iv)
268.18 (662.7); buffer zone 7,356.92 (18,179.3) 2019 Sawahlunto is the oldest coal mining town in South East Asia. At the end of the 19th century, Dutch Indies had discovered and further exploited coal in Sawahlunto.
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park Bố Trạch and Minh Hóa districts, Quảng Bình Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
17°32′14″N 106°9′5″E / 17.53722°N 106.15139°E / 17.53722; 106.15139 (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park)
Natural:
(viii)
123,326 (304,750); buffer zone 220,055 (543,770) 2003
Prambanan Temple Compounds Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
7°45′8″S 110°29′30″E / 7.75222°S 110.49167°E / -7.75222; 110.49167 (Prambanan Temple Compounds)
Cultural:
(i), (iv)
1991
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park Palawan, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Philippines
10°10′0″N 118°55′0″E / 10.16667°N 118.91667°E / 10.16667; 118.91667 (Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park)
Natural:
(vii), (x)
22,202 (54,860) 1999
Pyu Ancient Cities Mandalay, Magway, Bago, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Myanmar
22°28′12″N 95°49′7″E / 22.47000°N 95.81861°E / 22.47000; 95.81861 (Pyu Ancient Cities)
Cultural:
(ii), (iii), (iv)
5,809 (14,350); buffer zone 6,790 (16,800) 2014
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras Ifugao, Cordillera Region, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Philippines
16°56′2″N 121°8′12″E / 16.93389°N 121.13667°E / 16.93389; 121.13667 (Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras)
Cultural:
(iii), (iv), (v)
1995
Sangiran Early Man Site Central Java, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
7°24′0″S 110°49′0″E / 7.40000°S 110.81667°E / -7.40000; 110.81667 (Sangiran Early Man Site)
Cultural:
(iii), (vi)
5,600 (14,000) 1996
Singapore Botanic Gardens Central Region, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Singapore
1°18′55″N 103°48′58″E / 1.31528°N 103.81611°E / 1.31528; 103.81611 (Singapore Botanic Gardens)
Cultural:
(ii), (iv)
49 (120); buffer zone 137 (340) 2015
Temple of Preah Vihear Preah Vihear Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Cambodia
14°23′26″N 104°40′49″E / 14.39056°N 104.68028°E / 14.39056; 104.68028 (Temple of Preah Vihear)
Cultural:
(i)
154.7 (382); buffer zone 2,642.5 (6,530) 2008
Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura Kompung Thom Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Cambodia
12°52′15″N 105°2′35″E / 12.87083°N 105.04306°E / 12.87083; 105.04306 (Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura)
Cultural:
(ii), (iii), (vi)
840.03 (2,075.8); buffer zone 2,523.6 (6,236) 2017
The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments Phetchabun Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand Cultural:
(ii), (iii)
866.471 (2,141.10); buffer zone 3,824.148 (9,449.68) 2023
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks Special Region of Yogyakarta, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia Cultural:
(ii), (iii)
42.22 (104.3); buffer zone 291.17 (719.5) 2023 The 6 km north-south axis central axis of Yogyakarta is positioned to link Mount Merapi and the Indian Ocean, with the Kraton at its centre, has become a centre of government and Javanese cultural traditions.
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani Provinces, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Thailand
15°20′N 98°55′E / 15.333°N 98.917°E / 15.333; 98.917 (Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries)
Natural:
(vii), (ix), (x)
622,200 (1,537,000) 1991
Town of Luang Prabang Luang Prabang Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Laos
19°53′20″N 102°8′0″E / 19.88889°N 102.13333°E / 19.88889; 102.13333 (Town of Luang Prabang)
Cultural:
(ii), (iv), (v)
820 (2,000); buffer zone 12,560 (31,000) 1995
Tràng An Landscape Complex Ninh Binh Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Vietnam
20°15′24″N 105°53′47″E / 20.25667°N 105.89639°E / 20.25667; 105.89639 (Trang An - Ninh Binh)
Mixed:
(v), (vii), (viii)
6,226 (15,380); buffer zone 6,026 (14,890) 2014
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra Sumatra, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
2°30′S 101°30′E / 2.500°S 101.500°E / -2.500; 101.500 (Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra)
Natural:
(vii), (ix), (x)
2,595,124 (6,412,690) 2004
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Cagayancillo, Palawan, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Philippines
8°57′12″N 119°52′3″E / 8.95333°N 119.86750°E / 8.95333; 119.86750 (Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park)
Natural:
(vii), (ix), (x)
96,828 (239,270) 1993
Ujung Kulon National Park Banten and Lampung, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Indonesia
6°45′S 105°20′E / 6.750°S 105.333°E / -6.750; 105.333 (Ujung Kulon National Park)
Natural:
(vii), (x)
78,525 (194,040) 1991
Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape Champasak Province, List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia  Laos
14°50′54″N 105°49′20″E / 14.84833°N 105.82222°E / 14.84833; 105.82222 (Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape)
Cultural:
(iii), (iv), (vi)
39,000 (96,000) 2001

Location of sites

Southeast Asia has the fewest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia, next to Central and North Asia, despite being the base of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific headquarters located in Bangkok, Thailand and having a diverse line of natural and cultural heritage sites. Due to this, numerous scholars have been calling on Southeast Asian governments to participate and nominate more sites in UNESCO annually.

Various institutions have also criticized UNESCO for its 'Europe-centric' designations. An example of which was when UNESCO declared 10 UNESCO sites in Italy (a European country) in just a single year (1997). During the same time, 8 sites were declared for the entire Asian continent, where no designated site was located in Southeast Asia at all.

Green - Natural; Yellow - Cultural; Blue - Mixed; Red - In danger

Performance of Southeast Asia in UNESCO

The performance of Southeast Asia is contrasted by the performance of South and East Asia. Southeast Asian countries are in blue.

List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia

UNESCO Tentative List of Southeast Asia

Brunei and Timor-Leste currently have no tentative list sites. Both Brunei and Timor-Leste are presently undergoing comprehensive research for tentative site submissions [citation needed]. The latest countries revised their tentative lists are Vietnam and Singapore in 2022, followed by Malaysia and Thailand last revised their tentative lists in 2021, Cambodia last revised in 2020, Laos last revised in 2019, Indonesia and Myanmar last revised in 2018, and the Philippines last revised in 2015. The following lists also include the current nomination process being focused on by each country.

See also

Notes

References

General sources

Tags:

List Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia LegendList Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia World Heritage SitesList Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia General sourcesList Of World Heritage Sites In Southeast Asia

🔥 Trending searches on Wiki English:

Tenerife airport disasterMS DhoniBrian PeckJeffrey DahmerThe Gentlemen (2024 TV series)EasterLucian GraingeDavid BeckhamW54Sandro TonaliCarrie FisherKate WinsletElin NordegrenBob MarleyNick CaveGeorgia (country)Brandon ScottU.S. stateJeremy Allen WhiteGmailBody Cam (film)Telegram (software)Jim CarreyJudas IscariotAbraham LincolnJalen GreenThe Notorious B.I.G.Elizabeth TaylorBritney SpearsMike TysonKepler's SupernovaLok SabhaFIFA World CupRichard NixonNorovirusAngela ChaoR. KellyUnited KingdomGame Changer (film)Late Night with the DevilMumbai IndiansIranUEFA Champions LeagueMillennialsStranger ThingsProject 2025Usher (musician)2024 Miami OpenYG MarleyMahatma GandhiMary MallonJujutsu KaisenMadgaon ExpressThe Bear (TV series)NullSelena GomezRosanne CashNick MohammedPortugal2024 Summer OlympicsFord v FerrariThe Accountant (2016 film)Will SmithLogan LermanGoogleGreenland (film)Suge KnightRobert F. KennedyShirley ChisholmShailene WoodleyJoe RoganChaturbateCosmo JarvisRyan ReynoldsRashida Jones🡆 More