CHONGQING, China, Sept. 30, 2025 — The 9th International Training Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks, centered on Management, Activities, and Networking, is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 15, at the Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark in Chongqing Municipality, located in west China.
Throughout the course, UNESCO members and delegates from geoparks worldwide will convene to discuss and exchange expertise on the effective operation and governance of global geoparks.
Since 2016, this annual training has rotated among several Chinese geoparks, including Yanqing, Fangshan, Yimeng Mountain, Zhangye, western Hunan, and now Yunyang, thereby strengthening China’s contribution to the international geopark initiative.
Yunyang uniquely integrates geological narratives with human historical elements. Here, dinosaur footprints are found alongside advanced “compound-eye” scanning technologies, and the 1200-year-old Zhang Fei Temple overlooks the striking Longgang karst tiankeng. The park’s 1,197 relics and the indigenous Tujia culture seamlessly interweave geology and heritage into a vibrant, dynamic landscape.
The site is anchored by two globally significant features: a massive wall of Jurassic-Cretaceous dinosaur fossils and the strikingly sharp Longgang karst, recognized as an archetypal tiankeng cluster. These attractions collectively draw scientists, hikers, and culinary enthusiasts to a picturesque high-gorge lake retreat nestled within the Three Gorges region.
By effectively combining fossil preservation, eco-tourism, and ethnic cultural heritage, Yunyang generates environmentally sustainable employment, revitalizes local culture, and achieves global visibility, offering a scalable model for sustainable geoparks everywhere.
Source: The 9th International Training Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Bai, Tel: 86-10-63074558
