Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark boasts many types of natural heritage, including geological layer profiles, karst platform-canyons, forests, wetlands (including rivers, waterfalls, etc.). Two natural heritage sites at world-class level (INT), seven ones at national level (NAT), five at regional level (REG), and one at local level (LOC) can be found in the geopark (Table 5-4).
To better explain, promote and maintain these precious natural heritages, a comprehensive interpretation system has been established in the geopark. Interpretation placards on geosites, riverine wetlands and biodiversity have been put up, which explain typical geosites and geomorphological landscapes in plain language and illustrated pictures. Special exhibitions on GSSPs, bio-ecology, riverine wetlands, etc. are held in Xiangxi GSSP Exhibition Hall, Xiangxi Prefecture Museum, Liye Qin Bamboo Slip Museum, etc. , which are open to the public free of charge throughout the year. The geopark has compiled 28 brochures, which introduce natural heritage from different aspect. It has published five academic monographs and books, such as Geology of Hunan Province, Global Stratotype in China, and Cultivation and Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Xiangxi, etc.. It has cooperated with CCTV’s channels of “Home in the Distance” and “Geography China” to produce a number of special TV programs on Xiangxi; and worked with Hunan Satellite TV to shoot “Where is Dad?”, a large-scale parent-child outdoor reality show, in the geopark. By partnering with China National Geographic magazine, the geopark has published Karst Platform: New Landscape in Xiangxi. It has shared promotional videos about Aizhai Glass Skywalk and rafting on Mengdong River, etc, on “Douyin”, one of China's emerging creative short video social media platforms. These actions have helped promote the natural heritage in the geopark and attracted a large number of tourists.
Table 5-4 Natural Heritage List of Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark
No. | Natural heritage brand | Heritage name | Type | Date of evaluation | Level | Accreditation body |
1 | Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) – “Golden Spike” | Global Stratotype of Paibian Stage, Furongian Series in the Cambrian System | Stratotype Section | 2003.02 | World -Class | International Stratigraphic Commission and International Union of Geological Sciences |
2 | Global Stratotype of Guzhangian Stage in the Cambrian System | Stratotype Section | 2008.03 |
4 | National Scenic Spots | Mengdong River | River-Canyon | 2004 | National Level | State Council |
5 | Dehang | Canyon | 2005 |
6 | Liye - Wulong Mountain | Platform-Canyon-Historic Site | 2017 |
7 | National Forest Park | Zuolong Gorge | Forest-Canyon | 2012 | State Forestry Administration |
8 | Aizhai | Forest-canyon | 2013 |
9 | National Wetland Park | Donghe River | Riverine Wetland | 2010 |
10 | National Scenic Area of Water Conservancy | Dalongdong | Waterfall - Canyon | 2006 | Ministry of Water Resources |
11 | Provincial Scenic Spots | Youshui - Lüdongshan Mountain | River-Canyon | 2009 | Regional level | Hunan Provincial People's Government |
12 | Provincial nature reserve | Luota | Forest-platform | 1984 | Hunan Forestry Department |
13 | Liantai Mountain | forest | 1998 |
14 | Lüdongshan | Forest-canyon | 1999 |
15 | Mengdong River | Forest-river | 1991 |
16 | Small wetland protected area | Sixi River | riverine wetland | 2016 | Local level | Baojing County Forestry Bureau |
