Wulong Karst - The First World Natural Heritage of Chongqing

Brief Introduction

On the 31st World Heritage Conference, the WHC (World Heritage Committee) passed the application of Wulong Karst. On June 27th of 2007, the South China Karst, including the Wulong Karst, Stone Forest of Yunnan Province and Libo Karst of Guizhou Province, was put on the list of the World Natural Heritage. Then the first World Natural Heritage of Chongqing - Wulong Karst came into being.

The Great Events of the Application of South China Karst

In Aug, 1991, Yunnan Stone Forest applied the World Natural Heritage in the name of China Karst.

On December, 29th of 1998, Wulong Scenic Spot applied the World Natural Heritage and made the report in Chinese and English.

During May 26th to 30th of 2001, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) WHC (World Heritage Center) and IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) held the forum of Karst ecological system and World Natural Heritage. The experts pointed out that they would not accept the single item application, and they were willing to support the binding application of China Karst.

On July, 18th, 2001, the people's government of Guizhou Province approved the found of World Heritage Application Office.

On January, 6th, 2003, the work of application began.

During Sep, 20th and 22nd, the name of China Karst was changed to South China Karst.

On January, 13th, 206, the application text of South China Karst was submitted to the World Heritage Center of UNESCO.

On Mar, 1st, 2006, the application text passed the investigation of WHC, and was sent to the IUCN.

During May, 16th to 17th, the leaders went to Libo Karst for on-the-spot investigation and solve the specific problems of application.

On July, 31st, 2006, South Chian Karst finished the work of environment improvement.

During June, 23rd and 27th of 2007, the 31st WHC (World Heritage Committee) was held in Newzeland, and South China Karst was out to devote.

On June, 27th, 2007, South China Karst succeeded in the application and became the 6th World Natural Heritage of China.

The Meaning of the Success of the Application

Wulong Karst is the only World Natural Heritage of Chongqing. Before the application, there is only one World Cultural Heritage - Dazu Grottos in Chognqing, and the record of World Natural Heritage is blank, the successful application of South China Karst filled the blank. The tree unique Karst systems, Furong Cave, Natural Three Bridges and Houpingtiankeng, all of which were formed as a result of the evolution of the lithosphere. They are of Karst features and cosmopolitan meaning.