Two sites in Hechi designated as national geoparks

Two sites in the city of Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were designated as national geological parks, according to a recent notice posted on the State Forestry and Grassland Administration's website.

The two sites are Luocheng National Geological Park in Luocheng Mulao autonomous county and Du'an Subterranean River National Geographic Park in Du'an Yao autonomous county.

Luocheng National Geological Park has a planning area of 60.84 square kilometers, and is composed of two scenic areas along the Jianjiang River and the Wuyang River. The park boasts typical karst landforms, with large-scale karst caves.

Du'an Subterranean River National Geological Park is located in the geomorphological slope zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the Guangxi Basin. It possesses a typical karst landscape, featuring a subterranean river, dozens of karst fensters, and ancient biological relics in the area.

The park has built a series of basic service facilities, such as explanation boards and warning signs for important geological relics, fences, as well as viewing decks. In addition, a museum with the theme of "China's first museum for a subterranean river" is currently under the planning stage.

To date, there have been one world-class geological park and 10 national-level ones designated in Guangxi. The total number of national geological parks around the country has increased to 219.