China adds 3 new world geological heritage sites, total reaches 13

On November 12, 2026, the International Union of Geological Sciences announced the third batch of 100 World Geological Heritage Sites in Monchique, Portugal. Three sites in China were selected: the Xianshuihe Fault, the Yunyang Middle Jurassic dinosaur fossil group, and the Dabie Mountains Triassic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt, bringing China's cumulative number of selected sites to 13. The report said the three sites correspond respectively to the three international main lines of structural geology, paleontology, and metamorphic geology, and are suited to four types of high-ticket products: scientific research expeditions, study tours, geological photography, and niche inbound in-depth travel. The report also mentioned that after the earlier selection of Guilin Karst, inbound tourist arrivals in 2026 exceeded 2 million, and the proportion of foreign tourists at a resort hotel converted from an old sugar factory in Yangshuo rose from 21% to 37%.