To celebrate the 16th anniversary of Outlook Traveller, we bring you an exclusive photo feature of 16 stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites from all over the world. Sit back and enjoy!

Ajay Sood
The entrance arch at the Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland. Like some other Nazi concentration camps, it bears the infamous words, “Arbeit Macht Frei” (work sets you free).
The entrance arch at the Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland. Like some other Nazi concentration camps, it bears the infamous words, “Arbeit Macht Frei” (work sets you free).
Ajay Sood
The Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The largest stupa in Sri Lanka’s first capital (4th to 11th century CE) is draped in 1,100 feet of saffron cloth 3-4 times a day. Buddha’s relics are believed to be inside the stupa.
The Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The largest stupa in Sri Lanka’s first capital (4th to 11th century CE) is draped in 1,100 feet of saffron cloth 3-4 times a day. Buddha’s relics are believed to be inside the stupa.
Ajay Sood
The canals of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Grachtengordel, or the concentric circles formed by the original moat and three main canals of Amsterdam, are the keystone of its exemplary city planning.
The canals of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Grachtengordel, or the concentric circles formed by the original moat and three main canals of Amsterdam, are the keystone of its exemplary city planning.
Ajay Sood
Reclining Buddha at the Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka. Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, this five-cave complex is still functional as a Buddhist temple. The reclining Buddha is one of 157 statues in the complex.
Reclining Buddha at the Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka. Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, this five-cave complex is still functional as a Buddhist temple. The reclining Buddha is one of 157 statues in the complex.
Ajay Sood
The Altar of Naderluleå Church, Gammelstad Church Town, Sweden. The church town has 424 wooden houses which were used to host worshippers on Sundays and during religious festivals.
The Altar of Naderluleå Church, Gammelstad Church Town, Sweden. The church town has 424 wooden houses which were used to host worshippers on Sundays and during religious festivals.
Ajay Sood
Bar-headed geese and an elephant calf at Kaziranga, India. A bio-diversity hotspot, Kaziranga boasts of the highest number of greater one-horned rhinos in the world.
Bar-headed geese and an elephant calf at Kaziranga, India. A bio-diversity hotspot, Kaziranga boasts of the highest number of greater one-horned rhinos in the world.
Ajay Sood
Windmill network at Kinderdijk-Elshout, Netherlands. This functional set of 19 windmills was commissioned in the 18th century.
Windmill network at Kinderdijk-Elshout, Netherlands. This functional set of 19 windmills was commissioned in the 18th century.
Ajay Sood
Panch Rathas, Mahabalipuram, India. Bas-reliefs, temples, cave carvings and rathas (chariots)—all form a part of the UNESCO-inscribed Mahabalipuram group of monuments. Most of these structures date back to the 7th and 8th century CE.
Panch Rathas, Mahabalipuram, India. Bas-reliefs, temples, cave carvings and rathas (chariots)—all form a part of the UNESCO-inscribed Mahabalipuram group of monuments. Most of these structures date back to the 7th and 8th century CE.
Ajay Sood
A Jew grieves the loss of his temple, Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel. Western Wall is what remains of the holiest site of the Jews.
A Jew grieves the loss of his temple, Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel. Western Wall is what remains of the holiest site of the Jews.
Ajay Sood
Newly-weds splash around the Mermaid Statue, Warsaw Old Town, Poland. WWII saw 85 per cent of the historic centre destroyed, but over five years the old town was completely rebuilt—a feat that catapulted it into the UNESCO list.
Newly-weds splash around the Mermaid Statue, Warsaw Old Town, Poland. WWII saw 85 per cent of the historic centre destroyed, but over five years the old town was completely rebuilt—a feat that catapulted it into the UNESCO list.
Ajay Sood
The Sydney Opera House in Australia. One of the world’s busiest performing arts venues, the Sydney Opera House holds over 1,500 performances and gets over 8 million visitors annually.
The Sydney Opera House in Australia. One of the world’s busiest performing arts venues, the Sydney Opera House holds over 1,500 performances and gets over 8 million visitors annually.
Ajay Sood
Exquisite carvings at Rani Ki Vav, Patan, India. This stepwell, built in the 11th century CE, portrays a seven-level inverted temple that pays obeisance to water.
Exquisite carvings at Rani Ki Vav, Patan, India. This stepwell, built in the 11th century CE, portrays a seven-level inverted temple that pays obeisance to water.
Ajay Sood
Red Square, Moscow, Russia. Along with the Kremlin and the colourful onion-domed St Basil’s Cathedral, this famous city square is part of Russia’s Tsarist legacy.
Red Square, Moscow, Russia. Along with the Kremlin and the colourful onion-domed St Basil’s Cathedral, this famous city square is part of Russia’s Tsarist legacy.
Ajay Sood
The illusion of 3D bas-relief work, San Agustin Church, Manila, Philippines. It’s claimed that the artists who worked on the ceiling of the Gallery of Maps in the Sistine Chapel painted this ceiling as well. This church, along with three other Baroque churches, was included in the UNESCO list in 1993.
The illusion of 3D bas-relief work, San Agustin Church, Manila, Philippines. It’s claimed that the artists who worked on the ceiling of the Gallery of Maps in the Sistine Chapel painted this ceiling as well. This church, along with three other Baroque churches, was included in the UNESCO list in 1993.
Ajay Sood
Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India. Sanchi is regarded as the oldest Buddhist sanctuary, and has many monuments that date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE.
Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India. Sanchi is regarded as the oldest Buddhist sanctuary, and has many monuments that date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE.
Ajay Sood
Skogskyrkogården, or the Woodland Cemetery, in Stockholm, Sweden. A calming blend of terrain, vegetation, and purpose, Skogskyrkogården has inspired the design of countless cemeteries across the globe.
Skogskyrkogården, or the Woodland Cemetery, in Stockholm, Sweden. A calming blend of terrain, vegetation, and purpose, Skogskyrkogården has inspired the design of countless cemeteries across the globe.