China - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Silk Roads - the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor

"Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor is a 5,000 kilometre section of the extensive Silk Roads network, stretching from Chang’an/Luoyang, the central capital of China in the Han and Tang Dynasties, to the Zhetysu Region of Central Asia. It took shape between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD and remained in use until the 16th century, linking multiple civilizations, and facilitating far-reaching exchanges of activities in trade, religious beliefs, scientific knowledge, technological innovation, cultural practices and the arts. The 33 components included in the routes network include capital cities and palace complexes of various empires and Khan kingdoms, trading settlements, Buddhist cave temples, ancient paths, posthouses, passes, beacon towers, sections of The Great Wall, fortifications, tombs and religious buildings.

There are a total of 33 sites listed which are  25 archaelogical sites; 3 historical buildings; 1 tomb; 4 cave temples. Plus two which are already inscribed UNESCO World Heritage (Longmen grottoes and Magao Caves).

CHINA - CENTRAL CHINA
- Luoyang City, Eastern Han-Northern Wei Dynasty (1st – 6th AD) (Luoyang, Henan) 
- Dingding Gate, Luoyang City, Sui -Tang Dynasties (Luoyang, Hena)
- Longmen grottoes (already inscribed on the World Heritage list) - have postcard
- Han’gu pass (Henan)
- Shihao section of Xiaohan route  (Henan)
- Weiyang Palace, Chang’an City, Western Han Dynasty (2nd BC – 1st AD) (Xian) 
- Daming Palace, Chang’an City, Tang Dynasty (7th -10th AD)  (Xian)
- Great Wild Goose Pagoda (Xian) 
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda (Xian)
- Xingjiaosi Pagodas (Xian)
- Bin county cave temple (Shaanxi) 
- Zhang Qian tomb (Shaanxi)
- Maijishan cave temple complex - have postcard

CHINA - HOSI CORRIDOR
- Bingling cave temple complex (Gansu)
- Xuanquan posthouse (Gansu)
- Suoyang city (Gansu)
- Mogao caves (already inscribed on the World Heritage List) - have postcard 
- Yumen pass (Gansu)

CHINA - NORTH, SOUTH TIANSHAN MOUNTAINS
- Qocho City (Turpan, Xinjiang)
- Yar City Site of Bashbaliq City (Turpan, Xinjiang) 
- Kizil cave temple (Jimshar,  Xinjiang) - have postcard
- Subash Buddhist temple (Kuqa, Xinjiang)
- Kizilgaha Beacon tower (Kuqa, Xinjiang)
- Bachbaliq city (Kuqa, Xinjiang)

KAZAKHSTAN - ZHETYSU REGION
- Kayalyk (Almaty Province)
- Talgar  (Almaty Province)
- Karamergen (Almaty Province)
- Aktobe (Jambyl Province)
- Kulan (Jambyl Province)
- Ornek (Jambyl Province)
- Kostobe (Jambyl Province)
- Akyrtas (Jambyl Province)

KYRGZSTAN - ZHETSYU REGION
- Suyab (Site of Ak-Beshim)  (Chuy Province)
- City of Balasagun (Site of Burana) - have postcard 
- City of Nevaket (Site of Krasnaya Rechka) (Chuy Province)


Source: UNESCO World Heritage

A - KAZAKHSTAN - AKYRTAS

Postcard 1
Akyrtas Archeological Complex is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site of Silk Roads: The Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor in Kazakhstan. Thanks to Yuliya of Belarus.

B - KYRGYZSTAN - BURANA

Postcard 1
Burana Tower, a surviving remnant of ancient city of Balasagun, on a clear day with majestic view of Kyrgyz Alatau mountains. Thanks to DAO of United Kingdom who visited Kyrgzstan.

C - CHINA - YUMEN PASS, GANSU

Postcard 1
Yumen Pass in Gansu. Nice Silk Road stamps with special cancellation. Thanks to Wu of China.

CHINA - MAJISHAN CAVE TEMPLE COMPLEX, GANSU

Majishan Cave Temple Complex, Gansu,  China. I bought these two Maji-shan postcards in Shanghai in November 2011.

Postcard 2A

Postcard 2B

C - CHINA - LONGMEN GROTTOES, HENAN

Postcard 3A
The first postcard is from the postcard set of World Heritages of China that I bought in Beijing - Longmen Grottoes.

Postcard 3B

C - CHINA - MOGAO CAVES. GANSU

Postcard 4A
Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, Gansu is one of China's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Beautiful cave paintings. Very nice island and butterfly stamps used. Postage was surface mail. Thanks so much to Xingshan of Zhongshan, China.

Postcard 4B

Postcard of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes which was bought in Beijing, China.

Postcard 4C 

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu. I bought this postcard in China.

Postcard 5 - Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian

Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian. I climbed the stairs to the top of the tower when I visited Xian. Thanks to aeronest of China.

Postcard 6 - Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian

Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian, China. Thanks to JC Li of China. Xie xie.

Postard 7 - Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, China

Kizil Thousand Buddhave Caves. Thanks to Jarod of China.

Postard 8 - Bingling Cave-Temple Complex, China

Bingling Temple Grottoes in Gansu, China is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Fu Ping of Beijing, China. Received on June 7, 2022. 

France - The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes

"The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, great architectural monuments (the châteaux), and cultivated lands formed by many centuries of interaction between their population and the physical environment, primarily the river Loire itself." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1-A
A panoroma view of le Chateau of Saumur, Maine-et-Loire. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France who visited Saumur.

Postcard 1-B

Equestrian at Chateau of Saumur. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 2

Azay-le-Rideau at Indre-et-Loire. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 3

Chateaux de la Loire - Amboise (top left); Azay-le-Rideau (middle left); Bois (middle right); Saumur (bottom middle left); Angers (bottom right). Thanks to YL who was travelling in Loire Valley.

Postcard 4

The French riverine town of Saumur, along the Loire River is one of the treasures of Loire Valley.

Postcard 5

Map and multiview of Loire Valley - Le Val de Loire, France showing the part of the UNESCO section of Loire River between Angiers and Blois. Thanks to YLai for mailing from Germany. Received in Penang island on September 17, 2020.

Postcard 6

Chinon is a wine, historic fortress town. It is part of the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 7

Samur Castle in Loire Valley, France. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 8A

The Château de Chambord is a UNESCO World Heritage site, first designated as an individual cultural site in 1981 and later included in the larger "The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes" World Heritage site in 2000. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 8B

Night view of Le Chateau of Chambord, Lore-et-Cher, France. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 9 - Le Plessis - Bourre

Château du Plessis-Bourré in Loire Valley, France. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage of Loire Valley. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Wanted: UNESCO World Heritage

August 14,  2026 Update

WANTED: Anyone can help me with any of these… self-printed postcards if written stamped from country of origin is OK:

EUROPE
= Albania - Transnational - Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region
= Azerbaijan - Transnational - Hyrcanian Forests
= Belgium - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (swap arranged)
= Bosnia and Herzegovina - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
= Bosnia and Herzegovina - Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno
= Bulgaria - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
= Czechia - Transnational - Ukraine Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
= Denmark - Møns Klint (2025)
= Denmark - The Bony Fish Fossils of the Western Limfjord – Evolution and Climate Adaptation in the Earliest Eocene (2026)
= France - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest (2021)
= France - Transnational - Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
= Greece - The wider area of Mount Olympus (2026)
= Greece - Zagori Cultural Landscape
= Italy - Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas (2025)
= Italy - The system of Italian-style condominio theatres of the 18th and 19th centuries in Central Italy (2026)
= Latvia - Transnational - Struve Geodetic
= Montenegro - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest (inscribed 2021)
= North Macedonia - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest (2021)
= Poland - Gdynia Modernist City Centre (2026) - swap arranged
= Romania - Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia
= Romania - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest
= Russia - Astronomical Observatories of Kazan Federal University
= Russia - Rock Paintings of Shugal-Tash Caves - swap arranged
= Serbia - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest (2021)
= Serbia - Transnational - Stećci Medieval Tombstones
= Slovakia - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest (2021)
= Slovenia - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest
= Switzerland - Transnational - Primeval Beech Forest (2021)
= Turkiye - Arslantepe Mound (2021)
= Turkiye - Gordion
= Turkiye - Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (2025)
= Turkiye - Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia
= United Kingdom - Transnational - Moravian Church Settlements (2024)

ASIA
= Cambodia - Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (2025)
= India - Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath (2026)
= India - Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025) - swap arranged
= Iran - Alamūt Castle and Related Fortifications (2026)
= Iran - Hegmataneh
= Iran - Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley (2025)
= Iran - Susa
= Iran - The Persian Caravanserai (2022-23)
= Iran - Trans-Iranian Railway (2021)
= Iraq - Ashur - Qal’at Sherqat (swap arranged)
= Israel - Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of Land of Caves
= Jordan - Aqaba Marine Reserve (2026)
= Jordan - As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality
= Jordan - Umm Al-Jimāl
= Kazakhstan - Rock Mosques and Associated Sacred Sites of Mangystau (2026)
= Kazakhstan - Transnational - Western Tien-Shan
= Lebanon - The Rachid Karameh International Fair of Tripoli (2023)
= Lebanon - Mount Amel Castles (2026)
= Mongolia - Transnational - Uvs Nuur Basin
= Mongolia - Transnational - Landscapes of Dauria
= Mongolia - The Cemetery Complexes of the Xiongnu Nobility (2026)
= Mongolia - Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites (2022-23)
= Palestine - Sebastia (2026)
= Palestine - Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan (2022-23)
= Palestine - Land of Olives and Vines - Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
= Palestine - Saint Hilarion Monastery/ Tell Umm Amer
= Saudi Arabia - Al-Ahsa Oasis, an evolving Cultural Landscape
= Saudi Arabia - Ḥimā Cultural Area (2021)
= Saudi Arabia - The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area
= Saudi Arabia - ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid
= South Korea- Gaya Tumuli (2022-23）
= South Korea - Getbol, Korean Tidal Flat (2021)
= South Korea - Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream (2025)
= South Korea - Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies
= Tajikistan - Transnational - Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor (Inscribed 2022+23)
= Tajikistan - Tugay forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve (2022+23)
= Tajikistan- Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (2025)
= Turkmenistan - Transnational - Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor (2022-23)
= Turkmenistan - Transnational - Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (2022- 23)
= United Arab Emirates - Wadi Wurayah (2026)
= United Arab Emirates - Faya Palaeolandscape (2025)
= Uzbekistan - Tashkent Modernist Architecture. Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia (2026) - (swap arranged)
= Uzbekistan - Transnational - Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
= Uzbekistan - Western Tien-Shan (2016)
= Vietnam - Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes (2025)
= Yemen - Landmarks of Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (2023)

AUSTRALIA - PACIFIC OCEAN
= Micronesia - Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia
= Papua New Guinea - Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Western Highlands of PNG)
= Vanuatu- Chief Roi Mata’s Domain (islands of Efate, Lelepa, Artok)

NORTH - CENTRAL AMERICA - CARIBBEAN
= Canada - Anticosti
= Costa Rica - Cocos Island National Park
= Costa Rica - Precolumbian chiefdom settlements with stone spheres of Diquís
= Guatemala - National Archaeological Park Tak’alik Ab’aj
= Honduras - Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
= Jamaica - The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal ((2025)
= Mexico - Mexico - Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta -Tatehuarí Huajuyé (2025)

SOUTH AMERICA
= Argentina - Transnational - Qhapaq Nan, Andean Road System
= Argentina - Transnational - Architectural Work of Le Corbusier: Curutchet House in La Plata
= Argentina - ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Center of Detention, Torture and Extermination (2022-23)
= Argentina - Los Alerces National Park
= Bolivia - Transnational - Qhapaq Nan, Andean Road System
= Brazil - Peruaçu River Canyon (2025)
= Chile - Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region
= Colombia - Chiribiquete National Park – “The Maloca of the Jaguar”
= Colombia - Los Katíos National Park
= Colombia - Cocos Island National Park
= Colombia - Precolumbian chiefdom settlements with stone spheres of the Diquís
= Ecuador - Transnational - Qhapaq Nan, Andean Road System
= Peru - Chankillo Solar Observatory and ceremonial center (2021)
= Suriname - Jodensavanne Archaeological Site: Jodensavanne Settlement and Cassipora Creek Cemetery
= Uruguay - The Work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida (2021)

AFRICA
= Angola - Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo
= Benin - Transnational -  Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba (2022-23)
= Burkina Faso - Ancient ferrous metallurgy sites of Burkina Faso (2019)
= Burkina Faso - Royal Court of Tiébélé (2024)
= Burkina Faso - Transnational - Arly National Park
= Cameroon - Transnational - Sangha Trinational - Lobeké National Park
= Cameroon - Dja Faunal Reserve
= Cameroon - Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (2025)
= Central African Republic- Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
= Congo, DR - Okapi Wildlife Reserve
= Congo, Republic - Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua (2022-23)
= Congo, Republic - Transnational - Sangha Trinational - Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park
= Cote d’Ivoire - Transnational - Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
= Cote d’Ivoire - Comoé National Park
= Côte d’Ivoire - Sudanese style mosques
= Cote d’Ivoire - Taï National Park
= Egypt - Abu Mena (near Alexandria)
= Egypt - Wadi Al-Hitan - Whale Valley (150km southwest Cairo)
= Ethiopia - Bale Mountains National Park
= Ethiopia- Lower Valley of the Omo
= Ethiopia - Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia
= Ethiopia - The Gedeo Cultural Landscape (2022-23)
= Gabon - Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda
= Gabon - Ivindo National Park (2021)
= Gambia - Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites
= Guinea-Bissau - Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago - Omatí Minhô (2025)
= Kenya - The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi
= Kenya - Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
= Lesotho - Transnational - Sehlabathebe National Park
= Malawi - Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (2025)
= Mauritania- Banc d’Arguin National Park
= Mozambique- Island of Mozambique
= Mozambique - Maputo National Park (2025)
= Niger - Historic Centre of Agadez
= Sierra Leone - Gola-Tiwai Complex (2025)
= South Africa - Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites
= South Africa - Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
= South Africa - The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa
= South Africa - The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedith
= South Africa - ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape
= Sudan - Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay - Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
= Tanzania - Kondoa Rock Art Sites (north, near Arusha)

Belgium - France - Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)

"This transnational serial property encompasses sites along the First World War Western Front, where war was fought between the German and the Allied forces between 1914 and 1918. Located between the north of Belgium and the east of France, the component parts of the property vary in scale from large necropolises, holding the remains of tens of thousands of soldiers of several nationalities, to tiny and simpler cemeteries, and single memorials. The sites include different military cemeteries, battlefield burial grounds, and hospital cemeteries, often combined with memorials."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Postcard 1 France 

Le Linge Cimetiere du Wettstein is one of the serial cemeteries in France. Thanks to Marie who visited this location and mailed from France.

Postcard 2 - France
American Cemetery of Omaha Beach, France is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 3 - France
Omaha Beach is one of the Allied Forces landing in Normandy, France. It is listed as UNECO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 4 - France
Douaumont Ossuary, Verdun, Meuse, France. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site of Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front). Thanks to Jean-Pierre of France.

Postcard 5 - Belgium
Aerial view of Tyne Cot Cemetry, Flanders, Belgium. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to Gerda of Belgium.