Path to the Shrine of the Bab.

Baha'i Shrine and Gardens.

Views from the terraces.

There are 19 ascending garden terraces, intricately planted with flowers, topiary, blossoming bushes and lawns and connected with stone staircases, reaching two-thirds of a mile up the side of Mount Carmel.

Halfway up is the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, and at the summit is the site where the prophet Elijah fought the 400 priests of Baal 3,000 years ago.

The gardens were opened in 2001 with Baha'i faithful from around the world witnessing their inauguration.

They were designed by Fariburz Sahba, best known for his plan of the Baha'i Lotus Temple in India.

Terraces in his Haifa design represent nine concentric circles which appear to emanate from the Shrine of the Bab. The shrine houses the grave of Siyyid Ali-Muhammad, a martyr of the Baha'i faith.

Douglas Moore, Director of the Office of Public Information for the Baha'i international community, says recognition by UNESCO as a world heritage site stresses the global importance of the Baha'i faith.

Baha'is believe that humanity must find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and the future of society.

The Baha'i shrine and gardens have become one of Haifa's most frequented tourist attractions.

(CCTV September 24, 2008)