Geodiversity, Geoconservation and Sustainable Development in Qian’an National Geopark (Hebei, China)

Qian’an National Geopark locates in the southern Yanshan Mountain uplift belt. Active tectonics resulted in mineral enrichment, as well as geoheritages in this area. This includes one of the oldest metamorphic complex exposed in China. This study aims to investigate and protect local geoheritage, to develop geotourism and to contribute to sustainable development. According to the classification standards of geoheritage, we divided geoheritages in Qian’an National Geopark into 6 major categories, 10 categories and 12 subcategories based on extensive field surveys. There are well-preserved human and ecological resources, e.g. the Great Wall as a typical representative. By the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluation, we assessed 20 geoheritage sites in Qian’an National Geopark, resulting in 1 world-class, 2 national-level, 11 regional-level and 6 local-level. Based on their scientific value and rarity, as well as local development planning, the geopark is divided into 3 classes conservation areas. With hierarchical conservation measures, geoheritages have been well protected, and awareness of ecological environment has been greatly improved. Geotourism has made outstanding contributions to local economy and promoted more sustainable development.