"This is an ammonite, where you can clearly see the patterns, with ancient organisms imprinted on it, making it a tangible fossil," explains the fossil restorer Wang Yunzhong as he patiently instructs a group of young students on how to remove the mud and sand enveloping the rock layers.
"As fossil restorers, we hope to use our thorough and patient service to help visitors experience the story of evolution from more than 200 million years ago," he adds.
Zheng Xiumin, the director of the museum, told Guizhou Daily that the ancient biological fossils here record the historical archives of the Triassic period. They prove that Guizhou used to be an ocean inhabited by marine animals which roamed the Earth 100 million years before the appearance of dinosaurs. Meanwhile, ancient fish thrived with ubiquitous blooming sea lilies.
On March 27, the Xingyi Geopark was approved for inclusion in the Global Geoparks Network, making it Guizhou's second geopark to achieve prestigious world-class recognition, following the success of the Zhijindong Cave National Geopark.
"This is incredible! It presents a great development opportunity for Southwest Guizhou. I hope its fame will be enhanced and recognized both domestically and internationally," shares Wei excitedly.
"The Xingyi Geopark encompasses seven major categories of geological relics. Its unique paleobiological group value is unparalleled among global geoparks. This is especially true for the Triassic paleontological fossil exposure and burial areas, which fill a gap in the Global Geoparks Network," says Yu Chun, the Chief of the Natural Conservation Area Service Department of the Forestry Bureau of Qianxinan and a senior engineer.
"To enhance the global appeal and educational impact of our geopark, we are selecting young talent proficient in foreign languages to be promotional ambassadors and guides. Moreover, in line with the standards of global geoparks, we are updating and improving the bilingual signage throughout the park, making it more accessible and informative for domestic and international visitors," Yu further notes.
