Tangible cultural heritage refers to physical artifacts, buildings, monuments, and objects that are produced, maintained, and transmitted intergenerationally in a society. Examples of tangible cultural heritage include traditional clothing, tools, artwork, and modes of transportation. These objects are significant to a community, a nation, or humanity and are considered worthy of preservation for the future. Tangible cultural heritage has a physical presence and provides a concrete basis for ideas, validating them. The preservation of tangible cultural heritage demonstrates recognition of the necessity of the past and of the things that tell its story.

It is important to note that cultural heritage is a broad term that can also apply to intangible cultural heritage, which includes stories, songs, and celebrations we experience in the moment. Although intangible cultural heritage often has tangible objects, artifacts, or places associated with it, it is also something different from tangible heritage. The strategies for safeguarding tangible heritage cannot be transferred mechanically to the effort to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, which often requires quite different approaches and methods. Nevertheless, there is the possibility of adopting integrated approaches to safeguarding the tangible and intangible heritage of communities and groups in ways that are consistent and mutually beneficial and reinforcing.