Geotourism,geoconservation, and geodiversity along the belt and road: A case study of Dunhuang UNESCO Global Geopark in China

Dunhuang UNESCO Global Geopark (DHGG) is rich in geoheritage and contains scientific value for studying the sedimentation environments and paleoclimates of Western China. The Geopark is also notable for its aesthetic, cultural, artistic, and recreational value for tourism development. Since geographer Sven Hedin’s discovery of a yardang landform around Lop Nur in 1903, the area has been heavily studied. After the site was designated a National Geopark, geoconservation and geotourism began to rapidly develop and problems associated with these changes emerged. This study characterizes some of DHGG’s typical geoheritage, existing geoconservation, launched geotourism, and also describes some of the area’s challenges. In addition, the opportunities and challenges of DHGG arising from the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (B&R) are discussed. To benefit the sustainable development of DHGG, it is prudent to continue promoting geodiversity, geoconservation, and geotourism by making use of the advantages brought by the B&R.