Since the establishment of the “World Heritage Convention” of UNESCO, 138 state parties has joined it, and there are 830 properties inscribed on the list including:

 

   644 Cultural Heritage Properties

   162 Natural Heritage Properties

     24 Mixed Heritage Properties

 

China as one of the leading countries of World Heritage Properties, has actively applied for inscriptions for its valuable properties since 1985.  There are currently 34 properties in China have been inscribed as World Heritage which including Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Mount Taishan, The Great Wall, Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, Historic Centre of Macao, etc.

 

In terms of number of properties, China is ranked the third in the world, right after Italy and Spain.

 

In 2001, UNESCO established “Intangible Heritage”. Currently there are 90 intangible properties inscribed, and new inscriptions are adjudicated every 2 years.  Kunqu Opera and the Art of Guqin Music of China are inscribed on the list.