To enhance the exchange and learning among geoparks, from July 18 to 22, 2024, the application team jointly formed by Mt.Siguniang Geopark Administration and Sichuan Geophysical Survey and Research Institute visited Yunyang Geopark for investigation and exchange, and participated in the application assessment activities for the proposed Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark.
The scene of the debriefing meeting
During the 3-day field investigation, the application team followed Mr. Watanabe, an evaluation expert for UNESCO Global Geoparks, and Ms. Lasha to visit the Yunyang Geopark Museum, Zhangfei Temple, Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Site Museum, Qingshui Ethnic Primary School, Three Gorges Yangju Ecological Park, Huanhu Greenway, and Liming Ancient Village. They gained a detailed understanding of the geopark's situation in terms of geological heritage protection, science popularization, cultural heritage preservation, and park management. They also listened carefully to the experts' specific suggestions on the management and operation of the geopark, facility construction, promotion, and the boosting of local economic development.
Evaluation experts inspect the Yunyang Geopark Museum
Evaluation experts inspect the Yunyang Dinosaur Fossil Site Museum
Evaluation experts inspect the military-civilian integration base in Northeast Chongqing
Evaluation experts inspect Zhang Fei Temple
Evaluation experts inspect the big data monitoring center
Evaluation experts inspect Liming Ancient Village
During the inspection, the application team actively consulted and exchanged ideas with relevant leaders from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Unesco Global Geopark assessment experts to understand the latest developments and requirements of Unesco Global Geoparks.
In addition, the team also promoted Mt. Siguniang Geopark to other accompanying personnel, effectively enhancing the geopark's popularity and fostering friendship with other geoparks.
The Mt. Siguniang Apply for the Unesco Global Geopark team communicates with leaders of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration
Mt. Siguniang Apply for the Unesco Global Geopark team consults senior assessment experts of UNESCO Global Geopark
Yunyang Geological Park
Yunyang Geological Park is located at or situated within the southern part of Yunyang County, Chongqing, which is renowned for its beauty as "the natural Yunyang along the Yangtze River". It is situated in the transitional zone from hills to mountains on the eastern edge of the Sichuan Basin, covering an area of 1124.05 square kilometers. The park features the dinosaur fossil group from the Middle Jurassic period 170 million years ago, as well as the Longgang karst landform, complemented by the natural ecological environment and rare wild animals and plants of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It also integrates the long-standing historical culture of Yunyang County and the Tujia ethnic minority culture, making it a geological park that combines science popularization and education, theme experience, cultural entertainment, leisure vacation, ethnic customs experience, and ecological sightseeing.
On the morning of July 22nd, the feedback meeting for the application assessment of the proposed Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark was held. Mt. Siguniang Geopark participated in the meeting.
At the meeting, Mr. Watanabe Jinren and Ms. Lasha, the assessment experts for UNESCO Global Geopark, affirmed the overall construction of Yunyang Geopark and provided valuable suggestions on details related to geopark management, geological relic protection and popularization, as well as the integration of geological ecology and humanities.
Yuan Xiaohong, the second-level inspector of the Natural Protection Area Management Department of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Zhang Zhiguang, the deputy director of the National Geopark Network Center Office, Zhang Jianping, a professor at China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and a senior evaluation expert of UNESCO Global Geopark, as well as relevant leaders from the Chongqing Forestry Administration and Yunyang County, attended the meeting and made statements, requesting that the opinions and suggestions of the expert group be carefully studied and incorporated, and that the rectification and improvement be refined to ensure the good management, construction, and development of the park.
The Mt. Siguniang Apply for the Unesco Global Geopark team had a discussion with Mr. Watanabe and took a group photo as a souvenir
During this inspection, the application team further enriched the advanced concepts and experiences in the application, construction, and management of UNESCO Global Geoparks. In the next step, Mt. Siguniang Geopark will fully draw on excellent practices, strictly adhere to the assessment standards, and make efforts in various aspects such as organizational structure, hardware construction, and software improvement, to fully promote the application work.