Cultural Heritage

Delve into the rich tapestry of humanity’s cultural heritage, encompassing arts, history, and beyond.

With over 3,800 distinct cultures worldwide, as cataloged by anthropologists and recorded in Price’s Atlas of Ethnographic Societies—a number potentially underestimated—we can only begin to fathom the profound influence of these myriad cultural legacies across the globe.

Cultural heritage, as defined by Wikipedia, comprises the tangible and intangible assets inherited by a society from past generations. Not all remnants of the past qualify as “heritage”; rather, heritage emerges through societal selection.

This expansive term encompasses a vast array of elements, including customs, beliefs, rituals, arts, music, and more, shaping culture and behavior. It extends to practices related to the natural environment, religious and scientific traditions, language, cuisine, and even cyber cultures in the digital realm. Emerging cultures of the present are poised to become the heritage of the future.

Below, discover a diverse array of cultural heritage assets, ranging from the architectural influences of Indigenous communities to the impact on fashion, cuisine, and beyond. These narratives also shed light on historical events, viewed through the lens of contemporary society.

  • SpiralJettyOverview

    Seventeen miles down a gravel road that cuts through an empty expanse of desert to reach the northeastern edge of Utah’s Great Salt Lake is an enigmatic art destination that’s worth the pilgrimage. And pilgrimage it is.

  • 20180921 IMG 1899 1

    When people think of Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam often come to mind first. But squeezed between them is Laos, a country covered in dense jungles and lush mountains perfectly suited for growing coffee, a relatively new crop that has grown recently in importance to the nation’s economy.

  • Traditional Colombian dress

    Colombia is now a go-to destination in Latin America. While they face economic hardship and loss, the people of Colombia live life to the fullest. Majestic landscapes and views are waiting to get explored, and your next vacation will be everything you have dreamed it would be and more!

  • Tenerife Descent to Taganana

    The volcanic island of Tenerife, the largest and most diverse of the Canary Island Archipelago, is a fabulous year-round destination with record-breaking numbers of visitors each year.

  • 05. Gaudis creations are the quintessential highlights any Barcelona city tour

    The Spanish city of Barcelona had been Antoni Gaudi’s canvas and muse, at once. The 19th-century architect-wizard used the entire Catalonian city to express his creative genius and seamlessly blended the Gothic and the French Art-Nouveau with Expressionism to create his architectural masterpieces.

  • wupatki ruins

    Check top-ten lists of Arizona’s best destinations, and you’re not likely to see any ancient ruins on the list. However, these lesser-known sites are some of the most fascinating and significant locations in the state!

  • Sadhus praying at the monastery

    The sprawling mansion looked like a medieval European castle with its arched bay windows and turrets in each corners, the dark red laterite façade gleaming in the morning sun. We got down from our car, and were immediately greeted by Debjit Singh Deo, who owns and runs this heritage building amid the bucolic settings of rural Odisha in eastern part of India. Debjit’s great grandfather King Jyoti Prasad Singh Deo of Panchkote had built this two-storeyed mansion in 1933 as a royal hunting lodge.

  • Thanksgiving in Beijing with party favors scaled

    It was Fall of 2019 and Beijing was beautiful, with ripe persimmons hanging from trees like lanterns and golden gingko trees glowing in the park. But as the days grew shorter and the arctic chill set in, my spirits sank. Thanksgiving was just around the corner, and I longed for home. It was our first holiday away from the U.S. during our two-year assignment of living in Beijing for my husband’s job.

  • Irelands iconic Cliffs of Moher

    Ireland is often referred to as the “Emerald Isle,” due to the vast greenery throughout the island. Most of the Irish countryside is dotted with farms and national parks, while the landscape in almost every county is dominated by some of the greenest hills anywhere in the world. But is this greenery the reason Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle?”

  • vilnius

    This old Lithuanian city is adored by thousands of people who have visited it at least once. Locals love Vilnius even more and are ready to share the most quirky and unusual places where you can explore modern art or have an amazing picnic.

  • bench chair overlooking beach in Florida|pumpkins patch|cornfield maze|apple cider

    pumpkins patch Autumn in Central Florida is a magical time that unveils a different dimension of the Sunshine State. When most think of Florida, images of sunny beaches and swaying palm trees come to mind. However, fall activities in Florida present a varied tapestry that contradicts this stereotype.  The season transforms the landscape, infusing it with warm hues of amber, burnt orange, and gold. These colors drape parks, streets, and homes, beckoning residents and visitors to indulge in the various outdoor events and adventures tailored for the season. From family-friendly pumpkin patches to cozy evening hayrides, Central Florida comes alive with activity, offering experiences that resonate with the young and old alike. One cannot help but notice the increase in community events, local markets, and outdoor festivals that champion the essence of fall activities in Florida.  pumpkin patch And it's not just about the festivities; the temperate climate, [...]

  • victoria memorial

    The British colonized India for over 200 years, and cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai are home to notable Victorian-era buildings. But Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, was the capital of India for 39 years during the British rule, and it remains the top spot to see colonial architecture, a must-see city for architecture lovers to include on their India itineraries.