XiangxiGlobal Geopark and YunyangGeoparkEstablish Sister Geopark Partnership

    OnOctober 15, during the 8th International Training Course on UNESCOGlobal Geoparks Management and Development, Yunyang Geopark inChongqing and Xiangxi Global Geopark in Hunan officially signed anagreement to become "sister geoparks."

    Todate, Xiangxi Global Geopark has establishedpartnerships with 23 domestic and international sister geoparks.During the signing ceremony, both parties expressed their commitmentto leveraging this partnership to establish a reciprocal visitmechanismand enhance cooperation in areas such as geopark management, sciencepopularization, and geo-site conservation,and to jointly explorepathways for high-quality development in the geopark sector.

    Locatedin southern Yunyang County, Chongqing—known as the “NaturalYunyang alongtheYangtze River”,Yunyang Geopark spans 1,124.05 square kilometers across thetransition zonesfromhilly to mountainous areasonthe eastern edge of the Sichuan Basin. It is renowned for its MiddleJurassic dinosaur fossil groups, estimated at 170 million years old,and its karst landforms at Longgang. This geopark combines the uniqueupstream Yangtze Rivernaturalecosystems,rare wildlife, and Yunyang's deep-rooted history and Tujia minorityculture, offering anexperiencethat integratesscience education, cultural immersion, ethnic heritage, andeco-tourism. In addition to its rich and precious geo-heritageresources,the geoparkisalso famous for itspicturesque natural landscapes, a vibrant ecological environment anda splendidculturalhistory.Keycultural heritage sites include the thousand-year-old Zhang FeiTemple, PanshiCity-aSouthern Song-era military fortress, a 33-kilometer lakesidegreenway, and the “First Stairway of the Yangtze,” the DengyunStairway.

    Asan essential ecological barrier on the upper Yangtze, Yunyang Geoparkalso includes several nature reserves and forest parks, serving ashabitats for various wildlife species. With its rich geologicalheritage, picturesque landscapes, diverse ecosystems, ancientculture, and ethnic charm, Yunyang Geopark offers an idealdestination for those interested in Earth's history, ancientdinosaurs, and the beauty of nature.