The First International Conference

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOPARKS

Second Circular

Beijing, China June 27-29, 2004

PREFACE

Theme Protection of Geological Heritage and Sustainable Development

Background Recalling that geological heritage constitutes a natural heritage of scientific, cultural, aesthetic, landscape, economic and intrinsic values that need to be preserved and handed down to future generation; Recognizing that the conservation, sustainable development and management of geological heritage need to be taken into consideration by governments in their national goals and programmes; Conscious of the need to promote ‘Geological Heritage’ through the establishment of national ‘Geoparks’ in particular areas of special geological interest; and Based on national and international initiatives, like the “International Declaration of the Rights of the Memories of the Earth” (Digne, France 1991), or of IGCP, IUGS, ProGeo, Malvern Group, UNESCO’s Division of Earth Sciences and the Council of Europe An international group of experts assembled at the 30th Session of the IGCP Scientific Board held in February 2002, Paris, recommended to establish a “Global Network of National Geological Parks (Geoparks) seeking UNESCO’s assistance” in order to promote the three goals of conserving a healthy environment, educating in Earth Sciences at large, and fostering sustainable economical local development. In May 2002 the draft Operational Guidelines for application were released.

Invitation The Ministry of Land and Resources of P. R. China (MLR) and UNESCO are jointly inviting to and sponsoring the so-called “First International Conference on Geoparks”, to be held in Beijing, China from 27 to 29 June 2004, in order to promote the establishment of a worldwide network of national Geoparks. Contributions to the Scientific Programme are requested from the international governmental and non- governmental community.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1 Sponsors: Ministry of Land and Resources of P. R. China (MLR) UNESCO Co-sponsors: Ministry of Finance of P. R. China Ministry of Education of P. R. China Ministry of Science and Technology China National Committee for UNESCO China Association for Science and Technology State Environmental Protection Administration of China China National Tourism Administration International Union of Geological Sciences Geological Society of China China National Committee for IGCP People’s Government of Guangdong Province People’s Government of Henan Province People’s Government of Hunan Province People’s Government of Jiangxi Province People’s Government of Anhui Province People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province People’s Government of Yunnan Province Organizers: Department of Geological Environment, MLR Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, MLR Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences

Organizing Committee Honorary Chairman Sun Wensheng, Minister of Land and Resources of P. R. China Chairwoman Shou Jiahua, Vice Minister of Land and Resources of P. R. China Vice Chairmen Wang Shiyuan, Huang Zongli, Tian Xiaogang, Jiang Jianjun Members Yu Kongrang, Shi Chaozhong, Li Zhijian, Wang Min, Zhang Yanying, Wang Mili, Zhong Ziran, Han Heping, Li Jinghui, Zhang Jilin, Zhao Xun Secretary-General Jiang Jianjun Deputy Secretary-General Li Zhijian, Dong Shuwen, Zhao Xun Steering Committee and Scientific Committee Wolfgang Eder (UNESCO) Victor Ramos (Argentina) Emmanuel Teixeira (Brazil) Sospeter Muhongo (Tanzania) Henri Kampunzu (Botswana) Susan Turner (Australia) Zhao Xun (China) Ibrahim Komoo (Malaysia) Gerhard Woerner (Germany) Irini Drandaki (Greece) Guy Martini (France) Tony Weighell (UK) Werner Janoschek (IUGS)

2 Date and Venue The First International Conference on Geoparks is to be held on June 27-29, 2004 in Beijing New Century Hotel, Beijing, China

Language The working language of the conference is English. Simultaneous English-Chinese translation will be available for the Opening Session and the Plenary Session.

Correspondence All the correspondence concerning the conference should be sent to the Secretariat at the following address: Secretariat The First International Conference on Geoparks Baiwanzhuang Road 26, Beijing 100037, P.R. China Tel: +86-(10)-6831-0893 Fax: +86-(10)-6831-0894 E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Http://www.cags.net.cn/geopark/

Registration To register for the conference, the participants are kindly requested to completely and legibly fill in the enclosed Registration Form and send it before June 1, 2004 to: Secretariat The First International Conference on Geoparks Baiwanzhuang Road 26, Beijing 100037, P.R. China Tel: +86-(10)-6831-0893 Fax: +86-(10)-6831-0894 E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Http://www.cags.net.cn/geopark/ ·Registration Fee

Participating Members: 350 USD Accompanying Members: 200 USD

The Registration Fees include the rights to attend all the events associated with the Conference and to receive publications (not for accompanying members) and Conference bags and to take part in the welcoming reception party, etc.

·Methods of Payment The registration fees should be paid in full when submitting the enclosed registration form or on site. The payment must be made in US Dollars or in the equivalent of Chinese RMB with bank draft, cheques, or travelerscheques payable to the Conference. Credit cards VISA, MASTER CARD and American Express are also accepted. The bank draft or cheques should be mailed to:

3 The First International Conference on Geoparks Baiwanzhuang Road 26 Beijing 100037, P.R. China ·Cancellation of Registration Cancellation for the Conference participation, hotel reservation and/or field trip will only be accepted in writing through fax or E-mail.

·Refund Policy Full registration fee will be refunded, if cancellations of participation in the Conference are received before June 15, 2004. Only 50% of registration fee will be refunded, if cancellations are received after that date. Travel and Visa Registrants who are not entitled to visa exemption by agreement between China and the country concerned should hold valid passports and contact their travel agent or the Chinese Embassy, Consulate or other representative agencies in their country or region regarding the need for visas to enter the People’s Republic of China. · Visa Application To apply for visas, registrants will be requested by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate to submit a letter of invitation. The Organizing Committee will send an invitation letter in early June, 2004 to registrants from overseas who need to apply for visa. To formulate such an invitation letter, the following information is necessary: 1. Full name (family name, given name and others in that order) 2. Date and place of birth 3. Sex 4. Nationality 5. Affiliation 6. Mailing address 7. Phone and fax numbers and e-mail address 8. Passport number 9. City where you will apply for visa (Embassy/Consulate) In case you need to have an invitation letter earlier than the above date, a letter to explain the fact is requested. · Customs Regulations The Chinese Customs allows incoming and outgoing foreign visitors to carry articles for personal use only, which should be declared at the customs in accordance with the regulations. Import of arms, narcotic drugs, psychoactive substances, blood products, animals and plants are strictly prohibited. · Airport Transportation The Capital Airport is 36 km and about 45-minute drive away from the conference venue-Beijing New Century Hotel. Taxi service is available all the time at the Capital Airport, and the fare is approximately 150 yuan (US$18). · Travel Insurance The Conference cannot be held responsible for any accident or injury that may happen to the participants during the Conference and other activities. Therefore, participants are strongly encouraged to buy personal travel insurance before leaving home.

Accommodations The participants will be accommodated in Beijing New Century Hotel, which is a

4 five-star Chinese-foreign joint venture Luxury hotel. ·Hotel Information Location: Beijing New Century Hotel is located in the West End of Beijing, outside the Xizhimen Gate of the old city walls. Close by is the original waterway that connected the Forbidden City with the Summer Palace, lined by historical sites, such as the Great View Tower, the Temple of the Five Pagodas, the Fuyin Purple Bamboo Temple, and the Wanshousi Temple. A pleasure boat now plies the course followed by the Empress Dowager on her way to the Summer Palace, allowing visitors a glimpse of history and the life of the people. This century, as the city has spread beyond its former walls, the West End has become a high-tech IT zone, and an area of cultural and educational institutions, popular markets, spreading parks and zoos, and has convenient access to the Second, Third, and Fourth Ring Roads. Special features: Business Centre (7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m) 24-hour room service Laundry (daily, same-day service) Rent-a-cycle (7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m) Fitness Centre (6:30 a.m.-12:00midnight) Recreation Centre (10:00 a.m.-12:00 midnight) Hairdresser & barber (9:30 a.m.-12:00 midnight) Currency Exchange (6:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m) Travel desk (air and rail tickets, Beijing sightseeing tours) Post Office (Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m, except Saturday Sunday and pubic holiday) Bank of China (Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m.-55:00 p.m, except Saturday Sunday and pubic holiday) Check-in time: 14:00 p.m. Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. Credit cards: Master Card, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Visa, Great Wall Card, Peony Card, and Long Card. Power supply: 220 volts A.C. Internet Access: Dial-up and broadband access options available in all guest rooms. All phones with dataport. Room facilities: Deluxe Floors Deluxe Room Located on 10th-24th Floors. All rooms are newly refurbished and feature:

5 Mini-bar Adjustable air-conditioning IDD Deposit Box Satellite TV (CNN, Star TV, HBO, NHK and other overseas programming) VOD Service Complimentary use of pool, gym, and sauna Deluxe Suite Our Deluxe Suites offer twice the space of the Deluxe Rooms, with a separate lounge area ideal for relaxing or receiving guests. All suites feature a direct-line fax. Business Room Located on 25th –28th Floors. All rooms feature: Mini-bar Fax machine Adjustable air-conditioning IDD Deposit Box Satellite TV (CNN, Star TV, HBO, NHK and other overseas programming) Broadband Internet access VOD Service Complimentary use of pool, gym, and sauna Business Suite The Business Suites offer twice the space of the Business Rooms, with all the features of the Business Rooms. Executive Floors Designed for busy executives, the completely refurbished Executive Floors feature spacious new guest rooms and suites on 29th-31st floors. The luxurious Executive Standard, Superior and Deluxe Rooms are the ideal retreat for the busy corporate executive. All Rooms feature: Mini-bar Adjustable air-conditioning IDD Deposit Box Satellite TV (CNN, Star TV, HBO, NHK and other overseas programming)

6 Complimentary use of pool, gym, and sauna Broadband Internet access and fax machine VOD Service Personalized check-in and check-out Complimentary pressing of one suit (three pieces) Complimentary use of pool, gym, and sauna Guests enjoy exclusive access to a quietly plush Executive Business Lounge on 30 th Floor, providing international newspapers and magazines, photocopying and typing services, as well as business and meeting facilities. Guests enjoy the following services: Complimentary tea and coffee Complimentary soft drinks, snacks, and fruit during Happy Hour (4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) Half price for first hours use of the meeting room. Personalized check-in and check-out Rooms information:

Room Category Room Rates ( US$) Number of Rooms Deluxe Room 70 237 Business Room 90 100 Executive Room 100 33 Suite 110 20

 The room rates include breakfast and 15% surcharge and applicable to single, twin and double accommodation  Free use of well-equipped gymnasium and indoor swimming pool  Check-in time is 14:00 pm  Check-out time is 12:00 pm  All major credit cards are accepted

Hotel Address No. 6 Southern Road Capital Gym Haidian District, Beijing 100044 P. R. China Tel： +86-(10)-6849-2001 Fax：+86-(10)-6849-1103 E-mail: [email protected] Http: www.newcenturyhotel.com.cn ·Hotel Reservation To make a hotel reservation, the participants are kindly requested to fill in the Registration Form. Please be sure to include all information required. If you wish to share a room with another registrant of the Conference, please give his/her name. Do not forget to include the dates of your arrival and departure. Reservation will be made upon receiving your Registration Form. Preferential room rate will be guaranteed in this

7 hotel only for those who have made reservation through the Conference Secretariat. Considering that June is the busy season for tourism when hotels are usually fully booked, earlier reservation of hotel room is strongly encouraged. ·Cancellation of Hotel Reservation In case you have to cancel your reservation of hotel, please inform the Conference Secretariat in writing. Do not contact the hotel directly. If any changes in your accommodation are necessary, please keep the Secretariat informed. ·Remittance of Hotel Fees Please pay your hotel fees directly to the hotel when you check out.

Confirmation Letter A Confirmation Letter will be sent to the registrants to confirm their registration of the Conference, reservation of hotel rooms, and post-conference field trip around June 15, 2004.

PROGRAMME Main Topics

· Scientific significance of the global UNESCO Network of Geoparks (World Geoparks); · Methods and techniques of geological heritage protection; · Protection and rational utilization of Geosites (including World Heritage sites) located in Geoparks; · Function of Geoparks in sustainable development of regional economy; · Status quo and perspectives of Geoparks: Summary and case studies.

Schedule (tentative) (The schedule is subject to change) June 26 (Saturday): Check-in and registration June 27 (Sunday): Opening Session

09:00-10:00 Opening Ceremony of the Conference 10:00-10:15 Coffee break 10:15-11:30 Opening Ceremony of the Office of World Geoparks Network based in Beijing

Lunch (12:00-14:00)

8 Plenary Session Chaired by: W. Eder (UNESCO) and Zhao Xun (CAGS) Each presentation is limited to 30 minutes, including 5 minutes for Q & A. 14:00-14:30 W. Eder, “The Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks” 14:30-15:00 Jiang Jianjun (China) “Construction and Management of National Geoparks in China” 15:00-15:30 Nickolas K. Zouros (Greece) and Patrick McKeever (Ireland) “European Geoparks Network – Its Formation and Development” 15:30-16:00 Gabi Schneider (Namibia) “Status quo and Perspectives of Geological Heritage Protection in Africa” 16:00-16:30 Tony Weighell (UK) “Protection of World Natural and Cultural Heritage and its Harmony with Geoparks” 16:30-16:45 Coffee break 16:45-17:15 Jose Luis Palacio-Prieto (Mexico, IGU) “Protection of Earth Heritage - A Responsibility of International Geoscientific Organizations” 17:15-17:45 Peter Bobrowsky (Canada, IUGS) “Geoparks as a Focus for Communicating Geoscience Issues” 17:45-18:05 Ibrahim Komoo (Malaysia) “Geoheritage Conservation and its Potential for Geopark Development in Asia-Oceania”

Welcoming Reception Party (19:00-20:30)

June 28 (Monday): 2 sessions are to be held simultaneously on June 28. Session I Each presentation is limited to 20 minutes, including 5 minutes for Q & A.

09:00-09:20 Patrick Mc Keever (Ireland), “Sustainable Tourism: A Joint Project in North-West Europe between Three European Geoparks” 09:20-09:40 Presentation by representative of Lushan National Geopark 09:40-10:00 Irini Theodossiou-Drandaki (Greece), “Initiatives of the Institute of Geology and Mineral Explorations of Greece for the Establishment of Geoparks in Cooperation with Local Authorities” 10:00-10:20 Presentation by representative of Wudalianchi National Geopark

9 10:20-10:35 Coffee break 10:35-10:55 Danh Trinh (Vietnam), “Preliminary Investigation of Geological Heritages (Geosites)” 10:55-11:15 Presentation by representative of Songshan National Geopark 11:15-11:35 Carlos Jorge Chernicoff (Argentina), “The Hidden Geology of the Lihuel Calel National Park, la Pampa Province, Argentina” 11:35-11:55 Presentation by representative of Huangshan National Geopark

Lunch (12:00-14:00)

14:00-14:20 Presentation by representative of Hexigten National Geopark 14:20-14:40 Hans-Peter Schoenlaub (Austria), “Austrian Geoparks – Alps’ Forgotten Paradises” 14:40-15:00 Presentation by representative of Xingyi National Geopark 15:00-15:20 Maher Hamed Idris (Saudi Arabia), “Geoheritages in Saudi Arabia” 15:20-15:40 Presentation by representative of Yandangshan National Geopark 15:40-16:00 Sophie Gladima (Senegal), “The Role of the Humid Zones in the Niayes” 16:00-16:15 Coffee break 16:15-16:35 Presentation by representative of China Geosciences University 16:35-16:55 Geza Timcak (Slovakia), “Geoparks and Tourism Management Issues in E. Slovakia” 16:55-17:15 Lee Kuang-Chung (Taiwan, China), “Enhancing Community Participation in Geoparks Planning and Management-A Framework for Development and Evaluating Community Participatory Forums” 17:15-17:35 Moulay Youssef Ennadifi (Morocco), “The Geoparc of M’goun in the High Moroccan Atlas or How the Protection of the Geological Inheritance can Contribute to the Socio-economic Development of the Area?” 17:35-17:55 Presentation by representative of Henan Bureau of Geology and Exploration 17:55-18:15 Jean-Simon Pages (France), “The Geological Reserve of Hauts- Province: Twenty Years of Geological Heritage Conservation and Geotourism Development” 18:15-18:35 Ling-Yuh Sheu, Shin Wang (Taiwan, China), “Columnar Basalt Geopark and Earth Heritage Conservation on the Penghu Islands” 18:35-18:55 Presentation by representative of Center for National Geoparks Research and Planning, CAGS

10 Session II Each presentation is limited to 20 minutes, including 5 minutes for Q & A. 09:00-09:20 Presentation by representative of Shilin (Stone Forest) National Geopark 09:20-09:40 Guy Martini (France), “European Geoparks Experiences: When Art, Geology and People Strike together to Build their Future” 09:40-10:00 Presentation by representative of Danxiashan National Geopark 10:00-10:20 Nickolas Zouros (Greece), “European Geopark’s Network – Geological Heritage Protection and Local Development: The Petrified Forest of Lesvos – As a Case Study” 10:20-10:35 Coffee break 10:35-10:55 Presentation by representative of Yuntaishan National Geopark 10:55-11:15 Ahmed Samir (Egypt), “Contribution of Surface Geophysical Techniques to the Development and Environmental Protection of Tell Basta Archaeological Site, Egypt” 11:15-11:35 Presentation by representative of Zhangjiajie National Geopark 11:35-11:55 Andreas Megerle (Germany), “National Geoparks and Geotourism in Germany: Framework and Case Study Baden-Wurttemberg and Swabian Alb”

Lunch (12:00-14:00)

14:00-14:20 Presentation by representative of Xingwen National Geopark 14:20-14:40 Shan-Yu Hsu (Taiwan, China), “Developing a Concept Plan of Geopark for Jinguashin Disused Mine Area” 14:40-15:00 Presentation by representative of Dajinhu National Geopark 15:00-15:20 Teodosio Chavez (Peru), “International Network of Geoparks and Ecuatorial Electroje” 15:20-15:40 Presentation by representative of Chengdu University of Technology 15:40-16:00 Weerawarnakula Sarathchandra (Sri Lanka), “Geopark for Conserving the Geological Heritage of Sri Lanka – A Case Study” 16:00-16:15 Coffee break 16:15-16:35 Presentation by representative of Regional Geological Investigation Team of Sichuan Bureau of Geology and Exploration 16:35-16:55 Mladen Juracic (Croatia), “Dugi Otuk Istand, Adriatic Sea (Croatia), A Potential Coastal Karst Geopark” 16:55-17:15 Presentation by representative of Geological Society of China 17:15-17:35 Narendra Kumar Agarwal (India), “Geological Heritage of India – A

11 Window for Geotourism” 17:35-17:55 Presentation by representative of Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS 17:55-18:15 Mohamed El Wartiti, (Morocco), “The Study of the Geomorphosites in Middle Atlas (Morocco)” 18:15-18:35 Presentation by representative of Chinese Academy of Sciences

June 29 (Tuesday): Visiting a National Geopark around Beijing

Conference Proceedings The Conference plans to publish a volume of papers contributed to the Conference. The participants are requested to send preferably by electronic mail the full text of their papers (about 3000 words) with photos and figures (if there are any) to the Conference by May 30, 2004.

POST-CONFERENCE FIELD TRIPS Four post-conference field trips will be organized by the Organizing Committee of the First International Conference on Geoparks to have a look at the 8 Chinese National Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance. Activities include the opening ceremony of each Chinese National Geopark seeking UNESCO’s assistance, major geological features and local folk customs and cultures. The price of each field trip covers accommodations, guide books and transportation fees starting from Beijing to the ending city. FT01 Field Trip to Yuntaishan (Henan)-Zhangjiajie (Hunan)-Danxiashan (Guangdong) National Geoparks Leader: Chen Anze Co-leaders: Zhao Zhizhong, Mu Lixia and He Qingcheng Itinerary: Beijing-Yuntaishan in Jiaozuo City of Henan Province-Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province-Danxiashan in Guangdong Province-Guangzhou (ending in Guangzhou) Contents: Participants in FT01 will investigate on 3 national Geoparks including the Yuantaishan National Geopark in Jiaozuo of Henan Province, the Zhangjiajie National Geopark in Hunan Province and the Danxiashan National Geopark in Guangdong Province, attend the ceremonies to name them as Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance and on the way pay a visit to the 2000-years old Furong Township where the Tujia nationality people are inhabiting and to Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province. The Yuntaishan National Geopark makes a feature of valleys consisting of the

12 Proterozoic red quartz sandstone and the Palaeozoic limestone, where people can enjoy plenty of waterfalls and historical sites. The Zhangjiajie National Geopark is known for its unique peak forest landform of the Devonian quartzose sandstone. There are more than 3,000 sandstone peaks in the park, and over 1,000 of them are higher than 200 m. People can not only see in this park the rare sandstone landscape with high aesthetic values but also experience the local customs of the Tujia and Miao people. The Danxiashan National Geopark is the place “the Danxia Landform” is named after. It is characterized by the Cretaceous red terrestrial sandstones and conglomerates in a variety of forms, such as stone peak, stone castle and precipice, looking like human figures or exotic birds and beasts. In Guangzhou you will enjoy one of the most vigorous cities in China. Schedule: Leaving Beijing on the evening of June 29 (Tuesday) and ending in Guangzhou on July 6 (Tuesday). Means of transportation: Train, air plane and bus Price: USD 600

FT02 Field Trip to Songshan (Henan)-Cuihuashan (Shaanxi)-Shilin (Yunnan) National Geoparks Leader: Tao Qingfa Co-leaders: Li Minglu, Chen Congxi and Shen Zhiwei Itinerary: Beijing-Songshan in Henan Province-Cuihuashan in Shaanxi Province-Shilin in Yunnan Province-Kunming (ending in Kunming) Contents: FT02 takes participants to 3 national Geoparks such as the Songshan National Geopark in Henan Province, the Cuihuashan National Geopark in Shaanxi Province and the Shilin National Geopark in Yunnan Province. As the 3 parks extend across the northern and southern parts of the country, participants will enjoy different geological features and local customs between north and south. Participants will also attend the ceremonies to name the parks as Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance, pay a visit to a number of places of historical interest such as Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Qin Dynasty (246-208 BC) and Shaolin Monastery which was built in 495 and where Shaolin boxing was developed, and have a look at the local customs of minorities in Yunnan Province. The Songshan National Geopark is famous for its complete outcrops of stratigraphic section and the boundaries of angular unconformities formed by 3 Precambrian tectonic movements and there are found outcrops of the

13 Archean, Proterozoic, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The Cuihuashan National Geopark presents a landscape formed by landsliding, bringing about landslide-related landforms such as sheer cliffs and overhanging rocks, rock sea, piled caves and blocked-up lakes, and it can be called “a museum of landslides”. The Shilin National Geopark, featuring a carbonate peak forest landform, consists of Late Palaeozoic neritic limestone and dolomite. There stand erect magnificent peak forests ranging from 20 to 50 m in height, looking like pillars, swords, pagodas, mushrooms, human figures or exotic animals. Schedule: Leaving Beijing on the evening of June 29 (Tuesday) and ending in Kunming on July 6 (Tuesday) Means of Transportation: Train, air plane and bus Price: USD 600

FT03 Field Trip to Lushan (Jiangxi)-Huangshan (Anhui) National Geoparks Leader: Li Zhijian Co-leaders: Zhang Jianping, Yang Xuejun and Li Jianzhong Itinerary: Beijing-Lushan in Jiangxi Province-Huangshan in Anhui Province-Shanghai (ending in Shanghai) Contents: Participants in FT03 will make an investigation on the Lushan National Geopark in Jiangxi Province and the Huangshan National Geopark in Anhui Province and attend the ceremonies to name the parks as Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance. On the way participants will also visit the ancient civilian residence in Xidi and Hongcun (the World Culture Heritage) and the ancient street in Dunxi, Anhui Province and go sightseeing in Shanghai and the Zhouzhuang Ancient Town in its suburb. The Lushan National Geopark is characterized by the Quaternary glacier traces (glacial gorge, cirque, petrodium and clay boulder) and metamorphic complex, where there is the Bailudong Academy of Classical Learning which was built in the Song Dynasty and is among the 4 largest ancient academies of classical learning in China. The Huangshan National Geopark consists of the Late Jurassic (140 Ma ago) granite rocks, covering an area of 154 km2 and with 72 granite peaks of more than 1,000 m in height. Participants can not only observe many phenomena of granite there including its emplacement mechanism, petrological and mineralogical characteristics and structural features, but can also enjoy the magnificent and precipitous landscapes created by

14 granite masses and other natural beauties like springs, unique pine trees and sea of clouds. The trip ends in Shanghai, the largest city in the country, and participants can see there the rapid development in China’s economy. So FT03 is a tour of geology and landforms in combination with human landscapes. Schedule: Leaving Beijing on the morning of June 30 (Wednesday) and ending in Shanghai on July 6 (Tuesday). Means of transportation: Air plane and bus Price: USD 600

FT04 Field Trip to Wudalianchi (Heilongjiang)-Hexigten (Inner Mongolia) National Geoparks Leader: Tian Tingshan Co-leaders: Chen Youfang and Hu Jie Itinerary: Beijing-Harbin-Wudalianchi in Heilongjiang Province-Harbin-Hexigten in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region- Beijing (ending in Beijing) Contents: Participants in FT04 will make an investigation to the Wudalianchi National Geopark in Heilongjiang Province and the Hexigten National Geopark in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, and attend the ceremony to name the Wudalianchi National Geopark as the one seeking UNESCO’s assistance. On the way participants will also pay a visit to Gongge’er Grassland and Baiyinaobao Spruce Reserve and enjoy the local customs of Mongolian people. The Wudalianchi National Geopark is composed of 14 intact recent volcanoes, with the latest eruption occurring around 1719- 1721. The volcanic cones are complete and the lava flows stretch for as far as over 10 km, thus blocking the rivers around to bring about the five lakes spreading in the form of a string of breads. There are developed typical volcanic lava landforms in various shapes and forms. The Hexigten National Geopark is characterized by geological sites such as granite forest, glacier traces and volcano-spring. Harbin is the capital city of Heilongjiang Province and with its unique look it is referred to as “Mini Paris in the East”. Schedule: Leaving Beijing on the evening of June 29 (Tuesday) and ending in Beijing on the morning July 5 (Monday). Means of transportation: Train and bus Price: USD 500

·Registration for field trip

15 To reserve the trip, please fill in the corresponding blocks in the Registration Form. ·Cancellation of field trip The Organizing Committee of the Conference reserves the right to cancel any one of those above-said field trips owing to the insufficient number of registered participants. ·Remittance of field trip fees It is highly encouraged to make the remittance of field trip fees together with the payment of Registration Fee.