Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark
2022-05-23
The geopark is the main settlement of the Tujia and Miao people. These ethnic groups are the earliest natives in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. They have a long history and culture and have created their unique folk customs.
The area is also known for the Red Stone Forest, Dehang Grand Canyon, Zuolong Gorge and many spectacular waterfalls.
The Guzhang Red Stone Forest National Geopark is a very distinctive karst landscape in Xiangxi Geopark, which is rare in the world. The park features the natural red stone forest which was formed in the Ordovician Period 500 million to 425 million years ago.
GSSP in the Cambrian System
Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark is noted for two GSSPs (Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point) in the Cambrian system.
Yayou Red Karst Hill Group
The area is also known for the Red Stone Forest, Dehang Grand Canyon, Zuolong Gorge and many spectacular waterfalls.
Guzhang Red Stone Forest National Geopark
The Guzhang Red Stone Forest National Geopark is a very distinctive karst landscape in Xiangxi Geopark, which is rare in the world. The park features the natural red stone forest which was formed in the Ordovician Period 500 million to 425 million years ago.
In Guzhang Red Stone Forest National Geopark are many red and colorful stone pillars with heights ranging from 3 to 30 meters. They are distributed across hilltops, slopes, depressions and valleys.
The forest has become a unique type of stone forest landscape because of its special formation and development conditions. It has peculiar and beautiful modeling combination, rich and diverse surface dissolution forms and bright and changeable colors. In the sightseeing area, visitors can walk through the Ordovician Seabed, Subsea Tunnel and Xiaolong Gorge, and enjoy classic landscapes.
GSSP in the Cambrian System
Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark is noted for two GSSPs (Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point) in the Cambrian system.
The GSSP for Guzhangian Stage is located on one side of Luoyixi River Highway, about 503 million years ago. In a complete set of limestone formations, experts found a Lejopyge laevigata of only 8 mm in size resembling a grain of rice. This is consistent with the location of Lejopyge laevigata that first appeared, marking the beginning of a new phase in the evolution of the earth. With the approval of the International Union of Geological Sciences, experts named this layered profile "Guzhangian Stage."
At the site of the GSSP for Guzhangian Stage are monuments and popular science commentary boards, with marks on the roadside rock. It is an extremely precious and non-renewable geological relic resource.
At the site of the GSSP for Guzhangian Stage are monuments and popular science commentary boards, with marks on the roadside rock. It is an extremely precious and non-renewable geological relic resource.
Yayou Red Karst Hill Group
The Yayou Red Karst Hill Group cover an area of about 3 square kilometers, and the altitude of the hills is 1,000 to 1,150 meters. In this area, the red karst hills are large in scale, different in shape and distributed in large areas. Due to the difference in solubility and density of different rock formations, there are multi-layer gaps and holes in the horizontal level. At the bottom of the hills, there are beaded funnels and shafts, the depth of which is generally more than 100 meters and the deepest is more than 300 meters, which is one of the main catchment areas of the underground river regime at Dalongdong.
Zuolong Gorge
Zuolong Gorge, adjacent to Hongshilin Town, is located in the south of Youshui, Guzhang County. It is a typical representative of "line" canyon in Xiangxi Geopark.
Zuolong Gorge, adjacent to Hongshilin Town, is located in the south of Youshui, Guzhang County. It is a typical representative of "line" canyon in Xiangxi Geopark.
Zuolong Gorge has a total length of about 6,500 meters and an average valley depth of more than 80 meters, and the deepest part can reach more than 130 meters. It has an average width of 3 to 5 meters. Only one person can pass through the narrowest part.
The landform of Zuolong Gorge was formed by 3 million years of crustal changes combined with wind erosion and water flow. The Zuolong Gorge Scenic Area has won the reputation of being "the first strange gorge in central and southern China".
With its challenging terrain and unique scenery, the gorge is suitable for outdoor adventurers. Zuolong Gorge has the first special tour route in China. As all its trails are located between cliffs and built in the deep canyon, it is not enough to cross only by hands, feet and bones, but also by will and gratitude to nature, hence, it is called a "life classroom".
The landform of Zuolong Gorge was formed by 3 million years of crustal changes combined with wind erosion and water flow. The Zuolong Gorge Scenic Area has won the reputation of being "the first strange gorge in central and southern China".
With its challenging terrain and unique scenery, the gorge is suitable for outdoor adventurers. Zuolong Gorge has the first special tour route in China. As all its trails are located between cliffs and built in the deep canyon, it is not enough to cross only by hands, feet and bones, but also by will and gratitude to nature, hence, it is called a "life classroom".
