Abstract: Lack of a division of rural type in “World Heritage List” resulted in an unclear comprehension on characteristic and value of rural world heritage. Rural area consisted of natural elements, basic and auxiliary elements, which recorded history of rural human activities and expressed unique spirit in specific rural area. Until present, “World Heritage List” has inscribed 28 rural world heritage sites which were independent from urban area or existed human activity. According to literature review, rural world heritage sites owned different characteristics in geographical distribution, naming rules, and belonging types. Besides, from the perspective of inscribe criteria, rural world heritage mainly embodied 4 kinds of heritage value in rural planning layout, culture and art, outstanding construction and land use. The declaration to be rural world heritage properties in China was relatively late, and current sites were limited in small areas and fewer types. In the future, rural world heritage declaration could carry out from a perspective of other sub-categories or mix-heritage. The excavation heritage value on natural ecological environment, way of handicraft production etc. would rich the types and value of rural world heritage. Moreover, in the process of urbanization in our country, more attention needed to be paid to the protection of rural world heritage.