Geological Science Tourism: China’s New Travel Trend
Geological science tourism has become a new hotspot in China’s travel industry, drawing visitors eager to explore the country’s unique geological formations while learning about earth science. The trend reflects a broader shift from passive sightseeing toward immersive, educational travel experiences that combine recreation with discovery.
The ‘Textbook Check-In’ Phenomenon
At the heart of this movement is a viral social media trend known as “following textbooks to check in,” which has made Zhangye’s Colorful Danxia in northwest China’s Gansu Province a must-visit destination. Visitors hold up high school English textbooks whose covers feature the Danxia landform and align them with the actual scenery before them, capturing photos that resonate deeply with Chinese audiences.
Xu Yan, a middle school student from Guangdong Province visiting the site, described the experience: “Being here in person, I have a deeper feeling and understanding of this Danxia geological landform.”
According to Xinhua News, the “textbook check-in” trend has extended well beyond Zhangye, with similar “textbook relay” activities documented at locations worldwide, from Venice to Rome’s Colosseum. A report by Tongcheng Travel published in July found that search interest for travel products tagged with keywords like “research study” and “textbook check-in” surged 2.8 times month-over-month, making “following textbooks to travel” the most representative trend of the 2026 summer season, as reported by Da Wan News.
From Spectators to Explorers
Scenic areas are responding to this demand by developing deeper, more educational offerings. Li Junling, deputy director of the Comprehensive Management Department at Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area, noted that “visitors are no longer satisfied with sightseeing tourism. The deep-tour programs provide opportunities to observe different landform types up close.”
At Zhangye Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, the scenic area has launched “Heixi Yinxia Zhuan,” an outdoor immersive live-action script game set in 354 AD during the Former Liang period. Visitors can choose from three factions and navigate through the canyon while solving historical puzzles. Li Jinhao, a tourist from Sichuan, said: “The mission points are distributed along the trails. I was so engaged I forgot I was here for tourism.” The project, which combines geological landscapes with historical education, was detailed by Phoenix Gansu.
The educational dimension extends to study tours as well. In 2025, Zhangye World Geopark hosted 216 research study teams with 170,000 students participating. At Lanzhou Shuimo Danxia, a 3.5-kilometer mountain trail and geological exhibition hall allow visitors to combine indoor learning with outdoor exploration. The scenic area has invested 1.42 billion yuan in phase one development, according to China Financial Information.
China’s UNESCO Global Geoparks Network
This geological tourism boom is supported by China’s extensive network of UNESCO Global Geoparks. China currently has 51 such geoparks, the most of any country in the world, out of 241 total across 51 countries. The geoparks are distributed across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and the Hong Kong SAR, with about 90 percent containing 5A-rated tourist attractions and roughly half inscribed on the World Heritage List, as reported by Pincheng Travel.
In April 2026, Zhejiang Changshan and Sichuan Siguniangshan were newly designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks, bringing China’s total to 51, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
A Shift Toward Immersive Learning
Cheng Hongyi, an associate professor at the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Lanzhou University, sees this as a fundamental transformation in how knowledge is shared. “Visitors have transformed from passive ‘spectators’ to active ‘explorers.’ Science education has shifted from ‘preaching’ to ‘experience,’” he said. “Compared to traditional sightseeing models, immersive exploration such as geological study tours and geological hiking has fundamentally changed the way knowledge is transmitted.”
Across China, geological tourism is evolving from simple sightseeing to comprehensive cultural experiences. Guangdong Danxia Mountain focuses on “research study plus outdoor” activities, while Guizhou Chishui Danxia leverages its World Natural Heritage status to create hiking routes through red rock cliffs, waterfalls, and forests. In June, experts gathered at the 2026 Danxia Landform Protection and Tourism Development Symposium in Liancheng, Fujian, to discuss transforming Danxia tourism from a “ticket economy” to a comprehensive cultural tourism industry.
Looking Ahead
Zhangye World Geopark is investing in digital infrastructure to enhance the educational experience. Construction of a digital science museum began in March 2026, with an estimated investment of 35.16 million yuan. The facility, expected to open later this year, will feature immersive digital displays of the Danxia landform’s geological evolution, as reported by Zhangye Daily.
As geological tourism continues to grow, the challenge will be balancing increased visitor numbers with conservation of these fragile natural environments. The 2026 Danxia Symposium specifically addressed this concern, with experts emphasizing the need to maintain ecosystem integrity while developing tourism infrastructure. With China’s 51 UNESCO Global Geoparks providing a strong foundation, the country appears well-positioned to lead the global shift toward educational, immersive travel experiences that help visitors better understand the Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history.