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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has approved Yimeng Mountain in east China's Shandong Province as a Global Geopark, according to local authorities.
The mountain is the second UNESCO Global Geopark in the province after Mount Tai.
Yimeng Mountain is regarded as one of the five great mountains in Shandong Province, east China. /VCG Photo
Shandong currently has 13 national geoparks and 51 provincial geoparks, ranking first in China in both categories.
There are abundant geological resources in terms of stratigraphy, paleontology, and deposit in Yimeng Mountain, according to the experts from the China University of Geosciences.
A giant statue of Shouxing, the god of longevity in Chinese mythology, is carved on Yimeng Mountain in east China's Shandong Province. /VCG Photo
"The purpose of establishing geoparks is to protect important and rare geological resources and natural environment, carry out geoscience research and promote the sustainable development of the local society," said Li Chengjin, an official with the provincial department of natural resources.
There are 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks across 41 countries and regions in the world, including 39 in China.
(Cover: Yimeng Mountain in east China's Shandong Province /VCG Photo)