China's Mount Song has been shortlisted for world cultural heritage status, which means it could become one of the most protected and historically significant sites on earth.

The decision will be announced Sunday at the World Heritage Convention in Brazil. Mount Song is one of 39 nominations from 33 countries hoping for the honor.

Mount Song in Henan Province, known in Chinese as Zhongyue, is one of the five sacred mountains in China.

Now, it has been shortlisted by UNESCO to be become a world cultural heritage site.

What makes Mount Song different to the rest of the five sacred mountains in China is its profound and extensive cultural history.

More than 4,000 years ago, Emperor Qi of China's Xia Dynasty made the area of Mount Song its capital. This follows the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Zhou dynasty Emperor confirmed the area of Mount Song as the center of the earth. Since, then Chinese civilization has continued to grow and develop generations there.

Mount Song was an essential place for Emperors to offer sacrifices to their ancestors and for the Gods to confer the crown to their heirs. This just proves how rich the area is in historical and cultural value.

Mount Song is also the birthplace of China Zen Buddhism, and is home to many wonderful temples, including Shaolin Temple, Ta Lin, the largest pagoda forest in China, and Songyue Temple pagoda, the most ancient pagoda in China.

Mount Song also marks the achievements of ancient China's astronomy. The earliest star observation platform was also built there.

Mount Song is a birth place of ancient Chinese civilization. Proof why it is on the world cultural heritage shortlist.

The announcement will be made Sunday at the World heritage convention in Brazil.