Gallery: Phallic formation makes UNESCO World Heritage list

UNESCO has inscribed five new World Heritage sites in Asia, one of which is particularly eye catching

By Tiffany Lam 2 August, 2010

The phallic symbol to beat all phallic symbols: a rock feature in Danxia, China.

In context: the inscribed sites in Danxia encompass six areas found in south-west China, known for its flaming red cliffs and rugged erosion landforms. And we still can't take our eyes off that thing.

The 18th century observatory of Jantar Mantar in Jaipur in India has been anointed by UNESCO for its 20-odd fixed astronomical instruments, many of which were innovations at the time. The construction dates back to the end of the Mughal period.

The South Korean Hahoe and Yangdong historic villages were founded in the 14th to 15th centuries. Facing a river and agricultural fields, and flanked by forested mountains, the villages’ layout and location is indicative of the Confucian culture of the early Joseon dynasty.

Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka are located in the south-central part of the country and are home to a dense population of flora and fauna. This 'bio diversity hot spot' is also home to several endangered species, including the Sri Lankan leopard.

Eight clusters of buildings and sites near Mount Songshang, China’s ‘sacred mountain,’ are also given the UNESCO nod. The Denfeng monuments in the province of Henan were built over nine dynasties and some of them rank among the oldest religious edifices in China. Pictured here is the Zhongyue Temple Pagoda.

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There's plenty for lovers of history and travel to cheer about as UNESCO anointed new World Heritage sites over the weekend and today, five of which are in Asia. From China’s Danxia region (home to the all-natural phallic formation pictured left) to a 19th century astronomical observatory in India, pictures of these sites inspire feelings that swing from incredulity to awe.

Apart from China’s Danxia and India’s Jantar Mantar observatory, other freshly listed sites include the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi in Vietnam, the historic villages of Hahoe and Yangdong in South Korea, and monuments in China’s Dengfeng.

The UNESCO meeting for approving sites ends tomorrow, so we might yet see more sites popping up on the list.

For more pictures and details, click on the gallery button on the left.

Read about Thailand and Cambodia's recent spat over World Heritage Site Preah Vihear Temple.

Former CNNGo staff writer Tiffany Lam produced and scripted current affairs documentaries and was a reporter for a local English newspaper before making the brave, brave decision to write about things she’s actually interested in.

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Gallery: Phallic formation makes UNESCO World Heritage list

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