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Inscription: Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (China)

Document type
Decision
Reference number
VIII.B
Date
Dec 2, 1996
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Nov 23, 1972)
Meeting
20e session du Comité
Website
whc.unesco.org
Abstract

Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area

779

China

C(iv) (vi) N(iv)

The Committee decided to inscribe the nominated property under cultural criteria (iv) and (vi) considering the area of Mt. Emei is of exceptional cultural significance, since it is the place where Buddhism first became established on Chinese territory and from where it spread widely throughout the east. It is also an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated, and natural criterion (iv) for its high plant species diversity with a large number of endemic species.

It also underlined the importance of the link between the tangible and intangible, the natural and the cultural.

The Delegate of China informed the Committee of the improvements in tourism management and underlined that the Division for Religious Affairs is responsible for the monasteries.

The Committee furthermore recommended that the Chinese authorities carefully control tourism development at the site and encourage involvement of the Buddhist monasteries in conservation activities on the mountain.