UNESCO added a number of historic and cultural sites in Asia to its global World Heritage list, including five locations in China, Japan, Mongolia, Singapore and South Korea, during the 39^th session of the World Heritage Committee in Germany.

The historic Tusi sites of Hunan, Hubei and Guizhou provinces were selected in China due to their importance in tracing a group of ethnic minorities who lived separately across a range of mountainous regions but adopted a form of central government.

“The sites of Laoischeng, Tangya and Hailongtun Fortress that make up the site bear exceptional testimony to this form of governance, which derived from the Chinese civilization of the Yuan and Ming periods,” UNESCO said.

In Japan, the sites of the country’s Meiji Industrial Revolution were added, with 11 properties said to “bear testimony to the rapid industrialisation of the country from the middle of the 19^th century to the early 20^th century.”

South Korea’s Baekje Historic Areas won UNESCO recognition for its eight archaeological sites that boast fortresses, royal tombs and other ancient buildings.

Mongolia’s Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain, believed to be the birthplace and burial site of Genghis Khan, was recognised for its incredible cultural beauty and historical significance.

Singapore’s Botanic Gardens were also added. Founded by the British in 1859, the Botanical Gardens become the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.

Following the latest round of inscriptions, China now features the second-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world with 48 locations, behind Italy with 51 locations. Japan now has 19, South Korea 12 and Mongolia four.

Have you visited any of the new protected sites or any UNESCO World Heritage sites in Asia? How was your experience? Email us. Please include your full name and location with your email.