An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 2, 2023 shows a view of the Kanbula National Geopark in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo by Yangel Dongrub/Xinhua)

　　Yunyang Geopark earned its place in the network for its extraordinary landscapes formed nearly 250 million years ago. The site features the famous “Great Wall of Dinosaur Fossil“ - an 18-km stretch of rock layers containing fossils dating back around 170 million years. It also includes dramatic karst formations, such as one of the world's deepest sinkholes, which plunges 335 meters and serves as a key site for scientific research.

　　UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the broader significance of UNESCO Global Geoparks. “UNESCO Geoparks have become models for the conservation of geological heritage,“ she said. “But their role goes much further - they support educational projects, promote sustainable tourism, and keep the knowledge and traditions of these territories alive through the active participation of local and indigenous communities.“

　　Established in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network brings together sites recognized for their significant geological heritage that reflect the Earth's history, evolution, and climate. With the addition of 16 new geoparks, the network now encompasses 229 sites worldwide.

　　An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the scenery in the Yunyang Geopark in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua)