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Shilin (Stone Forest), located in China's Yunnan Province, celebrated its selection as one of the first 100 Geological Heritage Sites on Monday. It is the third international recognition awarded to Shilin, which was previously dubbed a Global Geopark and a Natural World Heritage Site.

As the only karst stone forest in a subtropical plateau region in the world, Shilin presents diverse forms of karst, including tall pillar-like limestone, sword-shaped limestone, mushroom-shaped limestone, and tower-like limestone. It's a typical example reflecting the evolution and development of karst topography.

In October, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) announced the "First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites." Two of the seven Chinese geological sites listed, Chengjiang Fossil Site and Shilin, were based in Yunnan.

(Compiled by Li Qinfang)