15 February 2023

On February 13-14, an expert team, led by ZHANG Jianping, Professor of the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), member of the Executive Board of the Global Geoparks Network, vice president of the International Geological Heritage Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences, went to Shilin UGGp for visit and inspection.

The expert team successively visited the Major Stone Forest Scenic Area, the most typical pillar-karst area inside the Shilin UGGp, the Minor Stone Forest Scenic Area, the Eternal Mushroom Scenic Area, and the Liziyaunqing Scenic Area. Here the emphasis was on Geosite and Earth heritage interpretation. The expert group praised the increasingly critical role that Shilin played in popular science education to the general public.

There are about 150 bed-and-breakfast homestays in Wukeshu Village, which is only 1 kilometer away from the Shilin Geopark. The village welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, increasing the income of local residents. Shilin Geopark has played an important role in boosting the local economic and social development.

It was also a good opportunity for the Shilin UGGp to have a health check.