The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. The convention established that cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Meanwhile, natural heritage consists of physical and biological formations, geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened flora and fauna), and natural sites with scientific, conservation, or aesthetic merits.
The Republic of Indonesia ratified the convention on 6 June 1989, making its historical sites eligible for inclusion on the list. , there are ten World Heritage Sites in Indonesia, six of which are cultural and four are natural. This means Indonesia possesses the highest number of sites in Southeast Asia. The first four sites to be inscribed to the list were the Borobudur Temple Compounds, the Prambanan Temple Compounds, Ujung Kulon National Park, and Komodo National Park in 1991. The most recent addition to the list was the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks in 2023. In 2011, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra was inscribed to the list of World Heritage in Danger, due to threats posed by poaching, illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and plans to build roads through the site. In addition, the government of Indonesia has nominated 21 sites on the tentative list, meaning that they intend to consider them for World Heritage Sites nomination in the future.__TOC__
World Heritage Sites UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural.
+Key Indicates sites in danger
+ Site Image Location (province) Year listed Description Borobudur Temple Compounds Central Java 592; Cultural:i, ii, vi 1991 Originating from the 8th and 9th centuries, Borobudur's temples is made of three levels: a squared pyramidal base, a cone trunk with three round platforms, and topped by a stupa, making up . The round platforms are filed with 72 ornamental stupas with a statue of the Buddha. The temple was restored by UNESCO in the 1970s. Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks Special Region of Yogyakarta 1671; Cultural:ii, iii 2023 This centre of the province's sultanate and cultural events opened in the 18th century by Hamengkubuwono I. With respect to Javanese beliefs about the cosmos and cycle of life, the axis connects Mount Merapi (north) and the Indian Ocean (south), centered by the palace (pictured) and other monuments within the axis, which is linked via traditional rituals. This site was previously in the tentative list as the Historical City Centre of Yogyakarta in 2017, under criteria i, ii, and vi. Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy Bali 1194rev; Cultural:iii, v, vi 2012 This area consists of five rice terraces and water temples managed by the irrigation system of subak, dating back to the ninth century. It was inspired by Tri Hita Karana, an Indian philosophy that connects heaven, humanity, and nature. Subak's "democratic and egalitarian farming practices" helps rice growers in accommodating Bali's dense population. The largest and most notable water temple in Bali is the Pura Taman Ayun, established in the 18th century. The Jatiwulih rice terraces is pictured. Komodo National Park East Nusa Tenggara 609; Natural:vii, x 1991 The Lesser Sunda Islands are inhabited around 5,700 giant lizards, named Komodo dragons due to its features and aggression. Unique to the islands, they are demanded by scientists studying the theory of evolution. The area consists of savannah hillsides and various spiky flora, as well as sandy shores and waters with coral reefs underneath. The picture here is taken in Flores. Lorentz National Park Papua 955; Natural:viii, ix, x 1999Spanning , Lorentz is the largest World Heritage Site in Southeast Asia and the only one globally with a transect between snowy and tropical marine areas, including lowland wetlands. Linking two plate tectonics, it comprises mountains and glaciers. Apart from being the location of fossils proving evolution in New Guinea, it is the most biodiverse area in the region. The Jayawijaya Mountains are pictured. Prambanan Temple Compounds Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta 642; Cultural:i, iv 1991 Above Prambanan's squared foundation are three temples with reliefs based on the ancient epic Ramayana, dedicated to the three deities in Hinduism: Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. There are also three temples dedicated to their servant animals. Built in the 10th century, it is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto West Sumatra 1610; Cultural: ii, iv 2019 The Dutch East Indies colonial government sought for high-quality coal in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, and made this mine for accessibility, constructed from the late 19th to early 20th century. With workers comprising locals and convicts, the system accommodates the linear process of extraction, processing, transport, shipment of the coal. This heritage site includes the mining area, the Port of Teluk Bayur (used to store the coal), the railway connecting the two, and the company town. Pictured is a mining activity in Ombilin, dated 1971. Sangiran Early Man Site Central Java 593; Cultural:iii, vi 1996 This site was where the first hominid fossil was discovered during excavations from 1936 to 1941. This propelled the discoveries of half of the known hominid fossils: 50 Meganthropus palaeojavanicus and Homo erectus (French replica pictured). First inhabited one and a half million years prior to inclusion by UNESCO, Sangiran is a key area in studying the human evolution. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra† Aceh, Jambi, Lampung 1167; Natural:vii, ix, x2004 Comprising three national parks—Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park—this site ranges and houses over 10,000 flora, including 17 endemic species. There are also over 200 mammals, including 22 Asian species unique in this Indonesian region, with 15 exclusively living here, like the Sumatran orangutan. There are 580 birds (465 sedentary, 21 endemic). This site is crucial in preserving the diverse Sumatra biota, and biogeographically researching the evolution of the island. In 2011, it is considered endangered due to poaching, illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and road building plans. Ujung Kulon National Park Banten and Lampung 608; Natural:vii, x 1991 Located in the southwestern end of Java, this site encompasses the Ujung Kulon peninsula, and the caldera Krakatoa. Crucial in studying inland volcanoes, it has among the largest remaining Javanese lowland rainforests and it is home to multiple species, with the Javan rhinoceros as the one alarmingly threatened. The Cidaon Savanna is pictured.
Tentative list In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage List are only accepted if the site was previously listed on the tentative list.