There are different UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India; among them, 4 unique places are situated in Tamil Nadu. The state is well-known for its rich culture and historical value and has many historical remains and ancient ruins that attract global tourists. Besides, the state also has many beautiful natural spots that you must explore to enjoy Indian diversity.

Scroll through the article to learn about UNESCO world heritage sites in Tamil Nadu.

1. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (1908)

There are 3 UNESCO world heritage mountain railways in India, and Nilgiri Mountain Railway is one of them. Situated in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an ancient railway built in 1908 by the British. UNESCO listed it in the list of world heritage sites in Tamil Nadu in 2005. It is a 1000 mm meter gauge railway that covers a 46 km long journey.

Besides its historical value, tourists can watch the mesmerising view of the Nilgiri hills while travelling on this railway. Ooty hill station is one of the prime attractions of this place, where people can enjoy a panoramic view and natural abundance.

• Location: Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu, India
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to June
• Hours of Operation: As per train timing
• Entry Fee:
  • For first-class ₹205 per person
  • For the second class ₹30 per person
  • For unreserved category is for ₹15

2. Group of Monuments in Mahabalipuram (1984)

Mahabalipuram is a great historical site in Tamil Nadu and has much to offer. The place was the second capital of the great Indian Pallava dynasty. Besides, this port city was also a famous trading centre in ancient India. Group of monuments in Mahabalipuram is a group of Hindu temples that were declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1984. The monuments are Pancha Ratha, Bhagiratha’s Penance, Mandapas, etc.

• Location: Fisherman Colony, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to February
• Hours of Operation: 6 am to 6 pm
• Entry Fee:
  • For Indians ₹10 per person
  • For foreigners ₹250 per person

3. Great Living Chola Temples (1987)

The Chola dynasty was one of the most popular Indian kingdoms at an early age. Great Living Chola Temples situated in modern Tamil Nadu are instances of this prosperous age and are acknowledged as a UNESCO world heritage site in Tamil Nadu. There are 3 temples: the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, and the Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Tourists can explore ancient Dravidian style architecture in these temples.

• Location: Gurunathan Pillai Colony, Darasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
• Ideal Time to Explore: November to March
• Hours of Operation: 8:30 am to 9 pm
• Entry Fee: No entry fee

4. The Western Ghats (2012)

Western Ghats is one natural UNESCO site in India notable for its breathtaking hilly beauty. The place is considered the “Hottest Biodiversity Hotspot in the World''. There are 5 world heritage sites in Western Ghats: Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Mukurthi National Park, Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from watching wildlife, people can also indulge in adventure sports, trekking, etc. in Western Ghats.

• Location: Tamil Nadu, India
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to March
• Hours of Operation: 
  • 6 am to 6 pm for Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
  • 9 am to 5:30 pm for Mukurthi National Park
  • 5 am to 5:30 pm for Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary
  • 7:30 am to 10 am and 3:30 pm to 6 pm for Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
  • 8 am to 2 pm for Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Entry Fee: 
  • ₹15 per child and ₹20 per adult in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
  • ₹15 per adult, ₹10 per child, ₹2 per student and ₹25 per still camera in Mukurthi National Park
  • ₹15 per adult in Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary
  • ₹250 per person in Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
  • ₹10 per adult and ₹5 per child below 12 years in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

According to UNESCO, if a site has the following 9 qualities, it can earn a title of a World Heritage Site.

• The site must represent a peak of human creative genius.
• It must exhibit a crucial exchange of human values within a cultural area, or over a span of time. The exchange of values can be on landscape design, town planning, technology, monumental arts, or architecture.
• A World Heritage Site must bear unique testimony to a civilisation, or a cultural tradition that still exists or has disappeared.
• It has to be an extraordinary example of a type of landscape, a technological or architectural ensemble which portrays remarkable phase/s in human history.
• A site has to be an exceptional example of human settlement, sea use, or land use that represents one or multiple cultures. Or, it can also represent human-environment interaction when the environment has become vulnerable.
• A site with exceptional natural beauty or a site that contains superlative natural phenomena.
• It has to be an exemplary site that can represent major stages of Earth's history, including significant physiographic or geomorphic features, a record of life, and ongoing geological processes that are involved in the development of landforms.
• A site has to be an outstanding example of crucial ongoing biological and ecological processes in the development and evolution of marine, coastal, freshwater and terrestrial communities or ecosystems of animals and plants.
• It has to contain the most consequential natural habitats for the in-situ conservation of biological diversity.

Consider this guide to get a comprehensive idea of UNESCO world heritage sites in Tamil Nadu. This state is a place of great natural and cultural diversity where people come to enjoy the true spirit of South India in a peaceful setting. So, if you are planning a trip to Tamil Nadu, make sure you add these must-visit world heritage sites to your itinerary.