New Global Geoparks in China
Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave Geopark
The geopark lies in the southwest of Hubei Province. It is home to world famous erosion and dissolution landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of the Tujia, Miao and Dong ethnic groups.
The geopark’s geological marvels unfold across exposed strata ranging from the Cambrian to the Cretaceous period (ca. 539 to 66 million years ago). The topography is deeply dissected by the Qingjiang River system, forming a spectacular karst landscape in Permian and Triassic carbonate rocks characterized by steep cliffs, deep gorges, caves and disappearing rivers. The geological landscape supports remarkable biodiversity, with lush forests covering an astounding 67.3 percent of the geopark, an area of over 450 square km. There are more than 4,000 plant species and 500 different terrestrial vertebrates in the geopark.
Beyond the geopark’s geological splendor, the rich cultural heritage of the Tujia, Miao and Dong ethnic groups lies at the heart of the territory. Visitors can experience traditional architecture, folk songs, dances and festivals which enrich their understanding of the region’s cultural fabric.
Linxia Geopark
The geopark is located in Gansu Province. It features a landscape characterized by mid-high mountains, nd hills and basins. The area played a significant role in China’s early historical and cultural development.
The dramatic Danxia landform along the Yellow River showcases striking colorful rock formations shaped by erosion, weathering and gravity. The geopark is home to the famous Bingling Cave Temple grottoes, where intricate sculptures are carved into the cliff faces, and to one of the longest and best-preserved fossil trackways on record, 24 consecutive paired footprints of the pterosaur, the earliest vertebrate species known to have evolved powered flight. The geopark is the region with most abundant ancient mammal fossils in China.
With roots tracing back more than 5,000 years along the Yellow River, Linxia was an important courier station along the ancient Silk Road.
Longyan Geopark
The geopark offers a geological record of tectonic evolution in southeast China covering a period of approximately 300 million years. The geopark’s abundant geological heritage includes the Meihuashan granitic complex, the Guanzhaishan red bed sedimentary rocks and the Zijinshan super-large porphyryepithermal copper–gold deposit.
Home to the densest natural forests of west Fujian Province, the geopark displays rich biodiversity. It is home to endemic animal and plant species, including the Panthera tigris amoyensis (South China tiger) and the rare Taxus chinensis var. Mairei (Chinese yew).
Longyan is the birthplace of the Hakka culture. Many unique traditions endure to the present day, including the you da long, where locals dance in a large dragon formation, the zou gu shi, where locals wear traditional clothes and take part in a carnival, and the art of woodblock printing. The Peitian Landscape Roundhouses display the architectural style of the Hakka culture, arranged compactly along long cobbled streets.
Mount Changbaishan Geopark
Located in southeast Jilin Province, the geopark is like an open-air classroom for volcanology, with dramatic landforms and diverse rock types that
document significant multiphase eruptions. The “millennium eruption,” which took place around 1,000 years ago, is one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history and has left a lasting impact, creating special pyroclastic accumulations of international significance.
Mount Changbaishan itself is one of the best-preserved composite volcanoes from the past several million years. At its summit, you will find the highest and largest crater lake in northeast Asia, the Tianchi Lake, which offers breathtaking views.
The geopark works closely with local communities to promote sustainable tourism and facilitate environmental restoration projects.
Wugongshan Geopark
The geopark is located at the junction of three cities, Pingxiang, Yichun and Ji’an, in the west of Jiangxi Province. It is characterized by fascinating geological landscapes including Jurassic (ca. 201 to 145 million years ago) granite stone forests, alpine meadows growing on the weathered Silurian (ca. 444 to 419 million years ago) granitic gneiss and hot springs. The geopark is rich in well-preserved geological heritage, making it a crucial site for studying the early formation of the South China
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Block and subsequent intracontinental compression and extension.
The geopark has developed a host of creative initiatives to promote geotourism, in order to strengthen the connection between local communities and the unique landscape. The largescale tent festivals attract thousands of campers and promote outdoor activities such as mountain bike racing and bonfire carnivals. Another way to experience the landscape is by taking an agricultural tour of orchards and tea gardens, with a particular focus on picking.
Xingyi Geopark
Located in Guizhou Province, the geopark is a geological treasure trove with imposing natural scenery such as the Malinghe River Gorge, bursting with over 100 cascading waterfalls during periods of heavy rain. The Wanfenglin site displays more than 20,000 karst peaks, stretching as far as the eye can see, and was chosen as one of the four scenic spots in China to be honored on a postage stamp in 2013.
The geopark is world famous for the exceptionally preserved Xingyi fauna from the late Ladinian Age (ca. 242 to 237 million years ago). These marine reptile and fish fossils offer an unparalleled glimpse into the transition of marine life from nearshore habitats to the deep ocean. It is the only paleo-fauna site to preserve entirely the turnover of marine reptiles from the Ladinian Age to the Carnian Age (ca. 237 to 227 million years ago).
The geopark is home to ethnic groups including the Bouyei, Miao, Yi, Hui, Gelo and Shui. Among them, the Bouyei people are predominant, known for their expertise in weaving, batik printing, brocade work and embroidery.
Current projects in the geopark include the Wanfu Qixing Bee Farm Cooperative, which supports individuals with disabilities and their families through the production and sale of honey, and the Luyuan Flower Base, a center focused on research, cultivation and education related to orchids and other endangered plant species. There are over 2.5 million orchids and 50,000 endangered plants in the database. (Source: UNESCO website)