World heritage site status for Bagan, Jaipur, among others

Myanmar's temple city Bagan awarded UNESCO World Heritage status

Myanmar’s ancient capital of Bagan and India’s fortified city of Jaipur are among the Asian landmarks that are now recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites, declared the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Bagan’s inscription comes nearly a quarter of a century after the temples complex was first nominated for listing, Reuters reported.

Myanmar’s temple city Bagan awarded UNESCO World Heritage status

The decision recognises the heritage significance of the site – which includes more than 3,500 stupas, temples, monasteries and other structures built between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Bagan had first been nominated as a World Heritage Site in 1995, but this was later rejected as the military junta in power then was accused of ignoring experts’ advice on restoration efforts, according to the Reuters article.

Myanmar renewed efforts to list the site since a transition from military rule began in 2011.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites recommended the listing, noting that Myanmar had adopted a new heritage law and had formed plans to reduce the impact of hotels and tourism developments around the temple.

With its successful inscription, Jaipur – also known as the Pink City – is now the second Indian city to be featured on the prestigious list after old Ahmedabad.

Founded in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh II, the fortified commercial city Jaipur was built according to a grid plan and was painted uniformly in a distinctive terracotta hue.

Other Asian sites added to the UNESCO world heritage list include the Dutch colonial-era Ombilin coal mining heritage site of Sawahlunto in Indonesia, the Mozu-Furuichi group of ancient mounded tombs in Japan,the Plain of Jars in Laos, and the archeological ruins of Liangzhu city in China.

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