World Heritage has become a universal language, a world of its own representing particular cultures, ethnic groups as well as national icons to be shared universally. Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritages are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Many of us travel to other destination not only to bring back fond memories, photographs and unique souvenirs but to absorb the culture and the heritage of the destination chosen. Southeast Asia features some incredible history and heritage, most of which shape the people’s culture and attitudes today. Here, some of world’s best must-visit ( some of it are also in my list of places to visit next year) heritage sites that had been previously nominated by UNESCO in Southeast Asia.
MALAYSIA
1)
Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley in Perak includes four archaeological sites in two clusters which span close to two million years, one of the longest records of early man in a single locality and the oldest outside the African continent. The series of caves and open air sites along the Perak River in the Lenggong Valley is an exceptional testimony to occupation of the area particularly during the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Metal age periods from 1.83 million years ago to 1700 years ago. It has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during 36th World Heritage Committee Meeting on 30th June 2012 under the Convention of the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972. This historic achievement is the fourth World Heritage Site for Malaysia and the 953rd in the world.
2)
Gunung Mulu National Park known as the ‘Jewels in the Crown of Sarawak' is situated on the island of Borneo occupies the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world's largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber) and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave) placing Mulu as a world famous natural heritage site.
Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features and it is also the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats.
THAILAND
1)
Ban Chiang Archaelogical site is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in South-East Asia. It was the centre of a remarkable phenomenon of human cultural, social, and technological evolution in the 5th millennium BCE, which occurred independently in this area of south-east Asia and spread widely over the whole region. It marks the important stage in human cultural, social and technological evolution. The site presents the earliest evidence of farming in the region and of the manufacture and use of metals.
2)
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex spans 230 km between Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the east, and Khao Yai National Park in the west that boasts a variety of habitats ranging from evergreen forests to deciduous forests and grasslands. The site functions as a museum that preserves part of the world's history, dating back hundreds of millions of years. It is a home to more than 800 species of fauna, including 112 mammal species (among them two species of gibbon), 392 bird species and 200 reptile and amphibian species. There are up to 1,000 species of butterflies and insects, more than those found in the whole of Europe.
INDONESIA
1)
Komodo National Park is volcanic islands, populated by almost 5,700 aggressive giant lizards called as 'Komodo dragons' the world's largest lizard that exists nowhere else in the world. The Park located within the Lesser Sunda Islands in the border region between the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara and was founded in 1980 and declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The park is also renowned by experienced scuba divers as one of the top dive sites in the world. Strong daily tidal flows combine with nutrient-rich water upwelling from the depths of the Indian Ocean to create ideal conditions for thousands of species of corals and tropical fish to flourish. More than 1,000 species of tropical fish, 260 species of coral, and rare marine mammals such as the dugong live within Komodo National Park.
2)
Prambanan Temple Compound was built in the 10th century and the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. Rising above the centre of the last of these concentric squares are three temples of Prambanan Temple (also called Loro Jonggrang, is a complex consisting of 240 temples), Sewu Temple, Bubrah Temple and Lumbung Temple, all decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of the Ramayana, dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) and three temples dedicated to the animals who serve them. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.
All the mentioned temples formed the Prambanan Archaeological Park and were built during the heyday of Sailendra’s powerful dynasty in Java in the 8th century AD. These compounds are located on the border between the two provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java on Java Island.
VIETNAM
1)
Complex of Hue monuments Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802 by Gia Long, the first King of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1802. Hue, located on the banks of the Huong River (Perfume River) was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945.
The massive complex features hundreds of monuments and ruins, the Perfume River winds its way through the Capital City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty. The Forbidden Purple City once was the residence of the royal family. Many of the monuments surrounding the royal buildings were constructed in the early 19th century showcasing an outstanding example of ancient oriental philosophy in general and Vietnamese tradition in particular.
2)
Hạ Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular travel destinations, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. Viewed from above, Halong Bay resembles a geographic work of art; the site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.
Halong Bay has many links to the history of Vietnam, there are such famous geographical sites as Van Don (site of an ancient commercial port), Poems Mountain with engravings of many poems about emperors and other famous historical figures, and Bach Dang River the location of two fierce naval battles fought against foreign aggressors.
PHILIPPINES
1)
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. The river is also one of the 7 Wonders of Nature, as declared following the competition run by New7Wonders.
2)
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras is an outstanding example of an evolved, living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in the pre-colonial Philippines. This site was removed from the "endangered" list in 2012 due to the success of the government's conservation efforts. These terraces inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, the first-ever property to be included in the cultural landscape category of the World Heritage List. The inscription covers five sites: The Nagacadan terrace cluster in the municipality of Kiangan, a rice terrace cluster manifested in two distinct ascending rows of terraces bisected by a river; The Hungduan terrace cluster that uniquely emerges into a spider web; The central Mayoyao terrace cluster which is characterized by terraces interspersed with traditional farmers’ bale (houses) and alang (granaries); The Bangaan terrace cluster in the municipality of Banaue that backdrops a typical Ifugao traditional village; and The Batad terrace cluster of the municipality of Banaue that is situated in amphitheatre-like semi-circular terraces with a village at its base. The terraces illustrate a persistence of cultural traditions and remarkable continuity and endurance; archaeological evidence reveals that this technique has been in use in the region for 2000 years virtually unchanged.
CAMBODIA
1)
Temple of Preah Vihear situated on the edge of a plateau dominates the plain of Cambodia. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800 metre long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9th century when the hermitage was founded. This site is well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is exceptional for the quality of its architecture adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation. The Temple is a unique complex of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases on an 800 metre long axis, is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture and spectacular landscape environment.
2)
Angkor, in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It extends over approximately 400 square kilometres and consists of scores of temples, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes. For several centuries Angkor, was the centre of the Khmer Kingdom. With impressive monuments, several different ancient urban plans and large water reservoirs, the site is a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional civilization. Temples such as Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm, exemplars of Khmer architecture, are closely linked to their geographical context as well as being imbued with symbolic significance. The architecture and layout of the successive capitals bear witness to a high level of social order and ranking within the Khmer Empire. Angkor is therefore a major site exemplifying cultural, religious and symbolic values, as well as containing high architectural, archaeological and artistic significance.
The park is inhabited, and many villages, some of whom the ancestors are dating back to the Angkor period are scattered throughout the park. The population practices agriculture and more specifically rice cultivation.
LAOS
Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.
Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos at the heart of a mountainous region. The town is built on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. Mountain ranges (in particular the PhouThao and PhouNang mountains) encircle the city in lush greenery.
Many legends are associated with the creation of the city, including one that recounts that Buddha would have smiled when he rested there during his travels, prophesying that it would one day be the site of a rich and powerful city. Known as Muang Sua, then Xieng Thong, from the 14th to the 16th century the town became the capital of the powerful kingdom of Lane Xang (Kingdom of a Million Elephants), whose wealth and influence were related to its strategic location on the Silk Route. The city was also the centre of Buddhism in the region. Luang Prabang takes its name from a statue of Buddha, the Prabang, offered by Cambodia.
Setelah makan tengahari, kami meneruskan perjalanan selama hampir dua jam, sebelum tiba di jeti kecil untuk menaiki bot kecil ke kawasan Batang Ai.
Perjalanan menaiki bot selama 40 minit itu, menghidangkan kami suatu pemandangan indah dan begitu damai sekali. Di sepanjang pesisir tasik terlihat beberapa buah rumah panjang milik orang asli Bidayu.
Akhirnya, setelah hampir pukul 5 petang kami tiba di kawasan rumah panjang orang asli Iban. Kami disambut mesra, oleh keluarga Iban seramai 37 buah keluarga... ramainya
Kepenatan dan cuaca yang terik membuat aku terus tersungkur duduk di tepi jar
Beberapa ahli keluarga yang ada, memainkan peralatan traditional sambil diiringi tarian Iban
Selepas itu, saya mewakili rombongan, menyampaikan buah tangan yang kami beli bersama.. amboi, Tok ketua ni dah biasa bergambar rupanya..
Dua orang kanak kanak Iban, duduk memerhatikan kami
Seperti biasa, posing is a must! hehehehe
