From Raja Ampat to Jakarta Old Town: Indonesian Sites Nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Candidates

Indonesia has once again showcased its cultural and natural wealth to the world. A number of destinations spanning from Sabang to Merauke have now been included in UNESCO's Tentative Lists, as prospective world heritage sites eligible for international official recognition.

According to UNESCO, this tentative list catalogues cultural and natural sites that are verified to possess Outstanding Universal Value, thus qualifying to be evaluated for inscription on the official World Heritage List.

“Member states are encouraged to submit a Tentative List, which records sites that the national authority identifies as cultural and/or natural heritage holding confirmed Outstanding Universal Value, and therefore eligible for World Heritage List consideration,” states UNESCO's official documentation.

From the latest updated roster, Indonesia has submitted diverse sites with unique characteristics, ranging from historical precincts, ancient archaeological complexes, to world-class marine ecosystems. One of the most recent submissions, filed in April 2025, is the Muaro Jambi Temple Complex. This site was recorded as the largest Buddhist religious and educational centre across Southeast Asia between the 7th and 14th centuries.

Alongside Muaro Jambi, the Maros-Pangkep Karst also appears on the list, famous for its prehistoric cave systems and ancient rock art. This region ranks among Indonesia's most geologically remarkable karst landscapes, while also preserving well-documented traces of early human settlement.

From eastern Indonesian territory, Raja Ampat was listed as a prospective world heritage site on the strength of its globally unparalleled marine biodiversity.

The waters of Raja Ampat are recognized as one of the most biologically rich underwater ecosystems on Earth, and remains a highly sought travel destination for international visitors.

Equally notable, Jakarta Old Town also appears on the UNESCO Tentative List together with four adjacent historic islands. This former colonial district of Batavia preserves intact traces of the colonial period, and stands as one of the capital city's most popular tourist destinations for historical visits.

Meanwhile, Semarang Old Town offers the distinct allure of classic European colonial architecture, interwoven with the historic maritime trade heritage of the Nusantara archipelago. This precinct has risen rapidly in popularity as a heritage tourism destination over recent years.

Indonesia also has multiple protected natural areas included on the tentative list, including Wakatobi National Park, Bunaken National Park, and the Derawan Islands -- all renowned for their pristine coral reef systems and marine Tourism Potential.

For Cultural Heritage, Tana Toraja and Trowulan are highlighted for preserving both significant historical value and living traditional practices that remain actively maintained by local communities to this day.

The UNESCO Tentative List framework exists to maintain process transparency, and to support coordinated regional and thematic management planning for World Heritage Sites. All member states are required to review and update their national tentative lists at minimum once every 10 years.

With this substantial number of Indonesian sites added to the Tentative Lists, the archipelago's prospects of securing additional official UNESCO World Heritage status have increased significantly.

Beyond strengthening Indonesia's global reputation, this recognition also carries proven potential to drive growth in the tourism sector, improve Conservation resourcing, and uplift economic livelihoods for local communities surrounding the listed destinations.