Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark  

        The Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark is situated in the transition zone between the YunnanGuizhou plateau and the Guangxi basin, and comprises of the adjacent Leye Dashiwei Tiankeng Group National Geopark and the Fengshan Karst National Geopark. It includes eight scenic areas (Huangjing tiankeng, Dashiwei tiankengs, Chuandong tiankeng, Luomeidong, Buliuhe River, Yuanyang Springs, Sanmenhai Karst Windows and Jiangzhou Cave) and two geologic museums (Chuanlongyan Geologic Museum and Leye Tiankeng Museum). The geopark has an elevation ranging from 274m to 1500m and geographical coordinates between 106°18′E and 107°06′E, 24°18′N and 24°50′N, with a total area of 930 square kilometers.    

   

        Formed within this typical karst inlier area are two large underground river systems, areas of high fengcong karst, the most concentrated groupings of tiankengs and cave chambers in the world, cave windows and speleothems, the world’s widest spanning natural bridges and the most complete skull fossil of the early-stage giant panda, as well as highly biodiverse areas such as tiankeng-floor forests, the Buliuhe karst gorge forest, the Leye orchid reserve and caves containing cave-adapted animals; these resources are of global importance to science outreach and valuable for sightseeing. 

        The Geopark’s environment and special geologic background is good for human habitation, and is home to ethnic minorities with characteristic folk customs. The Geopark is a vivid example of geological protection within a unique cultural tourism resource.