How do UNESCO mixed heritage sites combine cultural and natural importance?

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Ajanta Caves: reclining Buddha — World Heritage site Reclining Buddha statue, Ajanta Caves, north-central Maharashtra state, India.

UNESCO designates sites as "mixed heritage" when they contain elements of both natural and cultural significance.1

While cultural sites are recognized for their historic buildings, archaeological remains, or monumental works of art, and natural sites are selected for their geological processes, biodiversity, or unique natural phenomena, mixed heritage sites bridge these two categories. By meeting the criteria for both, these locations are recognized for their "outstanding universal value," ensuring they receive international cooperation for their preservation and protection under the World Heritage Convention.123