China's State Forestry Administration says the nation's forest parks received more than 200 million domestic and inbound tourists in 2006, an increase of 20% compared with the previous year.

The parks achieved RMB80 billion in combined income, as well. According to SFA, China has 1,928 forest parks throughout the country, which cover a total area of 1 513 hectares. The United Nations has listed 17 of them as Natural Cultural Heritage sites, and 10 of them have been listed as World Geoparks.

In recent years, China's forest parks have seen an annual 20% increase in tourist numbers and they have helped the country create more than 3 million jobs.

China's forest park construction and forest tourism have made great headway since 1982 when the first national forest park, Zhangjiajie Forest Park, was established. The foundation of these parks not only helps the country protect its natural resources and ecological environment, but also contributes to promoting the local rural economies.

National Geological Parks in China are unique natural areas giving priority to geological relics, which have national level science research and high value of aesthetics in community with other natural and cultural sites. The National Geological Parks are examined by experts organized by national administration and management departments and approved by the Ministry of Land Resources.

The Stone Forest Scenic Resort became one of the first groups of National Geological Parks of China in 2001 approved by the Ministry of Land Resources.