From January 15 to 16, 2026, a delegation from the Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark in Hubei visited the Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global Geopark. The two sides held exchanges and discussions on geopark management, resource conservation, geotourism, and revalidation experience, and officially signed a sister park agreement. With this new partnership, Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark has now established sister park relations with 16 geoparks worldwide.
During the meeting, Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark shared its practices in geoheritage monitoring, community engagement, the development of research-learning systems, and experience from its 2025 revalidation. The Enshi Global Geopark introduced its efforts in karst landscape conservation, ethnic cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable development. Both sides agreed to strengthen north–south collaboration for the scientific protection and rational use of natural heritage and to deepen cooperation in management exchanges, staff visits, sharing of educational resources, designing cross-regional research-learning routes, and joint tourism promotion.
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The Enshi delegation conducted a field study at the Cuihuashan Scenic Area within Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark. They first visited the Geoheritage Protection and Monitoring Office, where they learned about the geopark’s mechanisms and technological innovations in geological hazard monitoring and warning, digital preservation of geoheritage, and routine inspection and maintenance. The delegation then toured the Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global Geopark Museum to gain insight into the geological evolution and ecological-cultural significance of the Qinling orogenic belt. They also examined the Tianchi Ancient Barrier Lake site, showing keen interest in its formation and conservation. Finally, at the ski resort, the two sides exchanged practical experience on coordinating recreational tourism with ecological protection.
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The establishment of the sister park marks a new stage of cooperation between the two geoparks. The two sides will jointly promote dialogue and coordinated development in geo-landscape conservation, contributing to enhancing the international influence of China’s UNESCO Global Geoparks. Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark will continue to expand exchanges and cooperation, advancing network building, resource sharing, and joint branding among global geoparks. It remains committed to the goals of “effective ecological protection, distinctive science popularization, and broad international impact,” transforming the ecological, cultural, and governance values of the Qinling Mountains into lasting international influence, enhanced the city brand soft power and global competitiveness for Xi’an.
