Yandangshan UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the cities of Wenzhou and Taizhou in Zhejiang Province. It comprises Yandangshan, Nanxijiang, Fangshan –
Changyu Dongtian (Changyu Cave) with a total area of 298.80 km2. It is dominated by volcanic geology and landscape, interacting with religious history, cultural landscape and stone culture to form a comprehensive nature park.
Yandangshan, a large-scale coastal and mountains scenic area, is a representative of Cretaceous volcanoes found on the huge volcanic belt on the continental margin of Asia.It is a natural museum of rhyolites. Each mountain of Yandangshan recorded the evolution ofa revived caldera hundreds of millions years ago.
The peaks, cliffs, lava plateau, caves, stone gates in the Geopark possess peculiar shapes, elegant charm and abstruse conception to form a breathtaking landscape. The pretty scenery of Sea of Clouds, Buddha's light, Simultaneous Rising of Sun and Moon as well as Reversing Falls can be seen on the top of Fangshan. Hundreds of ancient and modern celebrities such as Shen Kuo, Xie Lingyun, Xu Xiake, and Mo Yan had left their footprints here and had entitled Yandangshan as ‘the unique spot under heaven’ and ‘wonders of the world’. Being different from the‘Five Mountains’and other mountains, Yandangshan possesses unique style. Its tour planning includes ‘presentable and fascinating day and night views’, ‘diverse landscapes from different views’ as well as ‘mountain scenery and seafood appreciation’. Our forefathers have said ‘It would be regretful for not visiting Yandangshan’ while modern people have said ‘It would be regretful for not visiting the night view of Yandangshan’.
The Nanxi River flows through the Geopark and passing by peculiar rocks, cliffs, mysterious bridge, grotesque caves, plunging waterfalls and deep pool on both banks. The villages in midstream scatter all over like stars in the sky. Those ancient villages like Cangpo, Yantou and Furong specifically pay attention to the layout with antique beauty which has nourished fabulous Yongjia Culture. Thousand years of geopark culture consists of splendid natural scenery, vibrant farm-studying culture and Yongjia Kun Opera.
