Review of Protection and Benefits of Yunnan Shilin Geopark of China

摘要

The main significances of Yunnan Shilin Geopark of China include a special kind of pinnacle karst called as Shilin or Stone Forest, its aesthetical value and cultural landscapes linking with the Yi Sani tradition as well as headwaters places. The protection and development of an unrivalled Stone Forest has brought about great changes in both social - economic field and ecological environment in Shilin County. Along with a recognition of great progresses from the geopark, it should be accepted a fact that a mechanism for keeping a balance between sharing social - economic benefits from geological tourism and taking responsibility for protecting geological heritage and their ecological environment is still waited for in order to realize values of the Shilin Geopark.