Changshan Geopark in East China's Zhejiang province and Mt Siguniang Geopark in Sichuan province were officially designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks at the 224th session of the UNESCO Executive Board on April 15 in Paris, France.

With these additions, China now boasts 51 UNESCO Global Geoparks. Changshan Geopark has become the second in Zhejiang to receive this recognition after Yandang Mountain.

Located in Changshan county, Quzhou, the Changshan Geopark covers about 1,043 square kilometers. Showcasing more than 1 billion years of geological history, the park preserves a continuous stratigraphic record from the Neoproterozoic to the Cenozoic, making it one of eastern Asia's most complete geological sequences.

A view of the landscape of Changshan Geopark in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: changshanfabu]

The park is home to China's first "Golden Spike" (Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point, or GSSP). The GSSPs are reference points on stratigraphic sections of rock that define the lower boundaries of stages on the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, a part of the International Union of Geological Sciences.

The site contains abundant fossils, including graptolites, trilobites and conodonts. Its landscape features early-stage reef-karst formations, dramatic granite peaks, and the scenic waters of the Changshan River.

Changshan county has been prioritizing the park's development and protection. The county officially began the application process for UNESCO Global Geopark status at the start of 2023. It has collaborated with institutions like the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aiming to standardize and internationalize the park's management.