Two state-level geological parks, the Huangshan Mountain and Qiyunshan Mountain geological parks in east China's Anhui Province, have begun receiving visitors from home and abroad.
The Huangshan Mountain geological park, covering 154 square km, features strange, hilly and sheer granite landscapes. It boasts colorful geological ruins and sights, such as beautiful stone forests, naturally-formed stones in various shapes, waterfalls and springs.
Qiyunshan Mountain, held sacred by Taoist believers, hosts dinosaur fossils, geological sections, geological tectonic ruins and other rare geological resources that are said to have been formed millions of years ago.
The two parks were listed as state-level geological parks by the Ministry of Land and Resources in 2002. They opened to visitors last Thursday.
Anhui Province now has four state-level geological parks, namely Huangshan Mountain, Qiyunshan Mountain, Fushan Mountain and Bagongshan Mountain geological parks.
By February 2002, China had established a total of 44 state-level geological parks.
(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2003)