On Oct 12, 2026, A five-member delegation led by Ms Jiang Xia, Second-level Researcher of Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geopark, visited Yandangshan UNESCO Global Geopark, its sister park, to study advanced practices for geopark construction and operation.

The two parks held a discussion meeting for in-depth exchanges. Participants discussed standardized geopark management, brand marketing, cultural-tourism industry growth, mountain-based new form tourism development, and science education outreach. They shared practical challenges and innovative solutions while exploring pathways for sustainable development of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

As a token of friendship, the two sister parks exchanged characteristic rock specimens. The geological gifts further strengthened their partnership and laid a solid foundation for joint scientific research and science popularization.

The delegation conducted field inspections across key sites including the Yandangshan tourist distribution center, OPC venue, smart command center, Fangdong Scenic Area and Lingfeng Scenic Area. Priority was given to reviewing preparations for the upcoming revalidation mission, interpretation systems, sign layout, museum exhibition management, and smart big data platform applications.

At Fangdong Scenic Area, the team learned about signature mountain-side offerings such as the cliff-side café and Cloud-top Light venue. Following the principle of “protection-first with light-weight integration”, Yandangshan builds leisure tourism spaces within natural caves and cliff zones. The approach balances geoheritage conservation with appealing consumer experiences, attracting young visitors and boosting tourist arrivals.

In Lingfeng Scenic Area, the group studied its night-tour project. Leveraging natural contours of jagged peaks, light and shadow technologies create an immersive night experience. With shifting stone silhouettes and human story performances, Yandangshan delivers its well-known product: “stunning views by day, enchanting scenery by night”. This “geology + cultural tourism + night-time economy” model extends tourist consumption hours and left a deep impression on the visiting team.

This exchange provided fresh insights for Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geopark regarding revalidation preparation, museum operation and new cultural-tourism product development. Going forward, Tianzhushan will draw on Yandangshan’s proven experience. By combining its unique geological resources, it will innovate science popularization and tourism offerings to further burnish its reputation as a UNESCO Global Geopark.