Hunan and Sichuan Join Hands to Prepare for the 2027 UNESCO Revalidation of Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark

    To fully implement Hunan Province’s policies for supporting the high-quality development of Xiangxi during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), advance the further development of Xiangxi Global Geopark, and make solid preparations for the 2027 UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation, a delegation led by Shi Shaofeng, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director-general of the Xiangxi Prefecture Forestry Bureau, visited Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark and Mt. Siguniang UNESCO Global Geopark in Sichuan Province from August 30 to September 4, 2026. The delegation included officials from the Xiangxi Prefecture Finance Bureau, Xiangxi Prefecture Geoparks Administration Office, and Xiangxi Global Geopark Museum. During the visit, Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark successfully established sister geopark partnerships with the two geoparks in Sichuan.

    The study visit focused on key areas including geosite protection, science popularization and research development, geotourism development, funding support, and preparations for the UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation. The delegation strictly benchmarked its work against the latest UNESCO assessment criteria. Through field surveys, observation of geopark operations and management, review of records and supporting documents, and on-site seminars and exchanges, the delegation studied and drew on the best practices of the two geoparks in standardized governance, branding, innovative science popularization, culture-tourism integration, and preparations for the evaluation and revalidation.

    During the seminars, the parties involved held in-depth exchanges on sustainable geopark development, resource protection and utilization, and science popularization system development, reaching consensus on a number of areas of cooperation. Xiangxi Global Geopark subsequently signed sister geopark cooperation agreements with Xingwen Global Geopark and Mt. Siguniang Global Geopark, respectively, laying a solid foundation for regular mutual visits and exchanges, experience sharing, and coordinated development in the future.

    The 2027 UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation will be a key milestone for assessing the progress made in developing Xiangxi Global Geopark and advancing its high-quality, sustainable development. This cross-provincial study visit helped Xiangxi Global Geopark address gaps in areas such as refined management, brand development and operations, and preparation of supporting materials. It also provided greater clarity for Xiangxi Global Geopark on the assessment criteria, helped identify key priorities, and broadened the geopark’s development vision.

    Going forward, Xiangxi Global Geopark will fully translate the lessons learned from the study visit into concrete actions,  improve its revalidation plan in line with international assessment criteria, and focus on key areas including geosite protection, science popularization and research, funding support, and geopark governance. Building on the sister geopark cooperation mechanism, Xiangxi Global Geopark will continue to deepen mutual learning and exchanges and promote joint development and resource sharing. This aims to comprehensively enhance its development and management standards, ensure a successful 2027 UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation, further strengthen Xiangxi’s world-class cultural tourism brand, and contribute to the high-quality development of the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Zone.