India: Amritsar historic areas

Score: 50

"The Golden Temple is as sacred to the Sikhs as Jerusalem and Mecca are to the Jews, Christians, and Muslims."

"One of the world's must-see cultural destinations, all the more so because it is of relatively recent vintage and is so heavily used by devotees. This is not a place that can be visited on one's own; to gain from a visit to the site one needs an informed Sikh guide. Outside the Golden Temple all is chaos, with the historic city of Amritsar fast transforming into a modern Indian metropolis of cars, roads, and shoddy architecture."

"The temple is an oasis of calm, spirituality, and great architecture. However, the immediate surroundings are a mess: haphazard street shops, signs, traffic, and overhead electrical wires."

India: Blue City of Jodhpur historic areas

Score: 58

"The charm of Jodhpur is found in its residential quarters, which are lively but not terribly well conserved. However, the meaning of Jodhpur must be recovered from Mehrangarh Fort and its excellent museum."

"Mehrangarh Fort is recognized as the best managed historic fort in India. However, increasing development, astronomical rises in real estate prices, and development of shopping malls are all threatening the traditional ambience."

"Has some interesting and historic areas, but is polluted and crowded. The overwhelming sense of commerce and traffic noise informs every waking moment."

"Wonderful city with not only monuments of great value but also the vernacular heritage. Ancient water systems need to be conserved."

"Has only recently started to emerge as a stand-alone destination."

"The city center and the historic area of the blue homes need a lot more in terms of sanitation and decongestion of traffic."

India: Golden City of Jaisalmer

Score: 46

"One of the most attractive and charming cities in the world—a great tourist attraction with its sand dunes, camel safaris, magnificent fort and palaces, and unique architecture."

"Beautiful golden fortress city."

"Distinctive location as an isolated border town in the middle of desert, paired with inconvenient transportation, keep development of the place slow."

"While sharing some problems common to other Rajasthan towns and cities, Jaisalmer is far enough off the beaten track to be less destroyed by commercialism."

"Beautiful houses are hidden behind garish signboards as traditional bazaars are transformed into commercial shops catering to tourists. Much of Jaisalmer's charm and magic is compromised by this chaos."

"A vibrant living tradition and culture besides outstanding architecture. Ingress of water and sewage undermines its foundations."

"Need felt by hoteliers to offer swimming pools in this water-scarce area is an issue."

"Imminent risk of collapse of many of the buildings."

India: Khajuraho

Score: 64

"The main sites—the erotic temples—are well maintained."

"So much more to Khajuraho than erotic art. A whole cultural landscape sadly lies hidden. Due to lack of development control, sporadic development has engulfed this town. Though temples are well preserved, there is a need to expand the whole notion of heritage."

"A distorted tourism strategy prioritizes the foreign tourist and prurient voyeurism."

India: Medieval Orchha

Score: 61

"The wall paintings for which Orchha is famous are deteriorating, and in the main temple have been replaced altogether. It urgently requires a conservation management plan with legal teeth to ensure it is sustained."

"The site is largely unspoiled because it is out of the way."

"Great historical importance linked with events during the Mughal period."

"Not heavily developed yet. As a result it has limited tourism. Interesting, but the site needs extensive restoration."

"Much heritage in Orchha is endangered."

India: Puducherry (Pondicherry)

Score: 61

"This smaller city is much like many other Tamil cities in southern India—crowded and chaotic on its outskirts. But its historic core reflects significant French influences, from building styles and French restaurants to street names and French-style police uniforms. This core area and the promenade along the waterfront have considerable charm and historic interest."

"A lovely town combining the best of small-town France and Indian hospitality. Huge property speculation and tourism has led to gentrification."

"A picturesque area with conservation and planning done sustainably. It is an easy destination to navigate. With historic house being converted into hotels by major groups, there is a risk that opportunities for the local population will be in the service sector, not entrepreneurial."