Yandangshan Global Geopark joined Global Geoparks Network on Feb. 12, 2005 with the approval of UNESCO, becoming the first geopark featuring Mesozoic volcanic landscape. The Park consists of Yandangshan (the Main Scenic Area), Fangshan Mountain – Changyu Cave (the Eastern Scenic Area) and Nanxi River (the Western Scenic Area), encompassing a total area of 298.8 km².

Yandangshan, the Core Scenic District is among the most representative Cretaceous caldera (aged more than 100 million years) along the volcanic belt of Asian continental margin. As a natural museum for rhyolitic volcanic rocks, each and every piece of rock here records the evolutionary history of Cretaceous revived caldera. With its precipitous peaks, peculiar caves, stone gates and rushing waterfalls, the Geopark has earned a reputation as one of the finest sceneries in China. Its Lingfeng Peak, Lingyan Rock and the Great Dragon Pond Waterfall are regarded as the best sceneries in the area. The development of Yandangshan into a tourist destination began in China’s Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD.420-589) and thrived in Tang Dynasty (AD.618-907) and Song Dynasty (AD.960-1279), resulting in a landscape and religious culture of more than a thousand years. Throughout history, hundreds of celebrities such as Shen Tuo and Xu Xiake have left behind invaluable cultural heritages. The Geopark boasts sound ecological environment and rich bio-diversity. Currently, 91.7% of the Park is covered by vegetation, with over 1400 seed plant species and over 500 woody plant species. Species such as Machilus minutiloba S. Lee and A. b. var. yentangense are endemic to Yandangshan, and herbal medicines like Dendrobium moniliforme (Linn.)Sw. and Tetrastigma hemsleyanum are also produced in the region. Yandangshan is home to over 140 bird species and some of the world’s endangered animals, including macaquemacaque, reeves’muntjak, roe deer, viverra zibetha and pangolins.For every cubic centmetre of air, there are 26000 negative oxygen ions on average, Negative oxygen ion content of up to 33000 per cubic centimeter,making the  Geopark a natural oxygen bar.

Changyudongtian scenic Distirct ,the east scenic District,Complex used to be an ancient quarrying site, where human quarrying efforts went on for over 1500 years, leaving behind all together 28 group caves and 1314 individual caves. These caves form stone corridors of different shapes and vividly record the quarrying activities and technics of the time. The Park, while successfully producing rocks, preserve its mountains, vegetation and waters and turn the quarrying site into a unique scenic area, achieving sustainable use of natural resources. Well-preserved relics and rich stone culture highlight the ecological concept of sustainable development.

Nanxi River, the West Scenic District, runs 139 km and is most known for its beautiful water, peculiar rocks, elegant woods, multiple waterfalls and ancient villages. Its meandering water runs tranquilly past green groves, white riverbanks, and overhanging rocks and cliffs, making the river ecologically complete. Over the years, splendid culture has been created, among which are ancient villages fitting into natural setting, rich farming-reading traditions, local Yongjia Philosophical School and Yongjia Opera, making the river a cultural river in its own right.

Welcome to Yandangshan Global Geopark, where you can appreciate distinctive rhyolite and beautiful rivers, visit ancient quarrying site, and learn about Cretaceous volcanic eruption, landscape culture, local religion and farming-reading traditions.