(TITC) - Based on the core foundation of a geological heritage system that reflects the continuous evolution of life and the culture of Mother Goddess worship, creating distinct values, Lang Son Geopark holds a huge potential to become a member of the Global Geopark Network in 2025.
Spread over a large territory of 4,842 km2, Lang Son Geopark is a hidden gem in the Northeast mountainous region of Vietnam. It is a living testament to the history of more than 500 million years of life's evolution in its diverse landscapes.
Lang Son Geopark (Photo: Lang Son Geopark Management Board)
Unique values
Lang Son Geopark was established in 2021, stretching across the boundaries of Lang Son City and 7 districts with a population of about 627,000 people. Since it is located mainly in the Bac Son arc, a large limestone massif, this place has many of the most massive and majestic caves in Vietnam.
Tectonic activities and geological movements hundreds of millions of years ago have created beautiful landscapes for the Lang Son Geopark area.
Lang Son Geopark owns many archaeological sites of international value. Archaeologists have discovered relics dating from 30,000 - 470,000 years ago in Tham Khuyen and Keo Leng caves. At Mai Pha site, tens of thousands of pieces of pottery, stone tools, and jewellery were also found dating from 3,500 - 5,000 years ago. These prove that Lang Son Geopark is one of the cradles of ancient Vietnamese people. In particular, in the Na Duong valley, many fossils of giant flora and fauna such as crocodiles, turtles, monitor lizards, angiosperms... dating back to 40 - 50 million years ago were also discovered. Fossils also show that this place was once the East Sea. The unique paleontological values at Na Duong have attracted the attention of many international scientists, and also show the unique values of the geological and geomorphological history of Lang Son Geopark.
Mau Son Mount Path (Photo: Collection)
The "soul" of the Geopark is the presence of people, the living and development process of 7 ethnic groups on this land. Over thousands of years of development, the settlement process of residents in the Lang Son Geopark area has created a system of famous landscapes, historical and cultural relics and diverse intangible cultural heritage properties such as Tro Ngo, Na Nhem festivals (recreating the tradition of fighting against foreign invaders, the contributions of Supreme Gods in establishing villages and hamlets, and protecting the lives of the people), Tay ethnic lion dance, sli singing; In particular, the belief in worshipping the Mother Goddess of Three Realms and Then singing have been registered by UNESCO in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity.
From ancient seas and volcanoes to Burretiodendron hsienmu forests, every detail of the Geopark tells a unique story. The Geopark is truly a vibrant tapestry of ethnic diversity, each group with their unique customs and traditions. The harmonious combination of natural history, cultural diversity and spiritual traditions makes Lang Son Geopark a unique discovery destination. It is considered a beacon for sustainable development and a tribute to the vitality of nature and culture.
Themed "Life Evolution in the Sacred Realms", tourist routes and attractions in Lang Son Geopark are being formed on the foundation of connecting typical locations about the history of continuous evolution of life and the belief in worshipping the Mother Goddess of Three Realms, with unique cultural heritage and beautiful natural landscapes. It is a harmonious combination between the history of the formation of the natural world and geological landscape, cultural diversity and Mother Goddess worship beliefs in Lang Son. The route's itinerary mainly goes through national highways 1A, 1B, 4B and 279.
Visitors could explore Lang Son Geopark through 4 tourist routes, including:
- Experience the Realm of Mountain and Forest
- Journey to the Realm of Heaven
- Enjoy the Realm of Earth
- Way to the Realm of Water.
Tourism Information Technology Center