A national park in China has been added to Unesco's World Heritage List along with 26 other cultural and natural sites across the globe.

Mount Sanqingshan National Park in Jiangxi Province was deemed to be worthy of increased protection after an evaluation by experts.

The scenic nature reserve, located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range, is the 37th site in China to be listed by Unesco as being in need of conservation.

It was said to have been chosen due to its "outstanding natural beauty" and in order to preserve its 1,000 species of flora and 800 types of fauna.

Environmental tourists often head to the reserve to explore its unique landscape, with 89 fascinating granite pillars, dense forest and spectacular waterfalls - which can be viewed from walking trails suspended high above the ground.

The site was one of eight natural locations to be put on this year's list including the Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the Lagoons of New Caledonia in the French South Pacific.

Also given World Heritage status for their natural beauty were Surtsey in Iceland, Saryarka in Kazakhstan and Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.

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