The Maritime Silk Road, an ancient maritime
trade network linking China with Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Arabian
Peninsula, East Africa, and the Mediterranean, is one of humanity’s most
significant transnational heritage corridors. Unlike the terrestrial Silk Road,
inscribed as the “Silk Roads: Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor” (2014), it remains
underrepresented on the World Heritage List. This paper examines the Maritime
Silk Road from a World Heritage perspective, analyzing its evolution, regional
traits, core ports, and existing inscribed sites—including Quanzhou (2021),
Venice (1987), Melaka and George Town (2008), Lamu Old Town (2001), Kilwa
Kisiwani (1981), and Stone Town (2000). Using symbolic narrative and spatial
production frameworks, it argues these sites form an unrecognized transnational
corridor. Drawing on the terrestrial Silk Road’s nomination model, the paper
explores a serial transnational nomination for the Maritime Silk Road,
discussing its implications for UNESCO’s “5C” framework and Sustainable
Development Goals.
