Global Geoparks in China

China has had national geoparks with global status from UNESCO since 2004. By the end of 2018, there were 37 UNESCO global geoparks in China. The first eight national geoparks, including Huangshan, were approved in 2004 as the first group of global geoparks in the world. Since then, national geoparks have been upgraded to global geoparks every year except in 2007. In 2005, three national geoparks, including Xingwen in Sichuan, became global geoparks, followed by six national geoparks, including Fangshan in Beijing, in 2006. Two geoparks, including Zigong, became global geoparks in 2008, and another two, including Alxa in Inner Mongolia, became global geoparks in 2009. In 2010, an additional two, including Leye-Fengshan, acquired global status, followed by Hong Kong and one other geopark in 2011. Only one geopark in China, Sanqingshan, became a global geopark in 2012. Since 2007, each country has been allowed to nominate a maximum of two national geoparks every year unless it has no...