Article 1 For the purpose of strengthening the protection and administration of the geoheritages of Linxia Geopark, these Measures are formulated in accordance with the Regulations of Gansu Province on Geological Environment Protection and other laws and regulations because of reality of Linxia Geopark.

Article 2 These Measures shall be applicable to the protection and administration of all kinds of geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes in Linxia Geopark.

Article 3 The geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes in the Geopark belong to the State.The principle of "protection first and rational utilization" shall be adhered to. Their original, naturalness, integrity and authenticity shall be maintained. No unit or individual may destroy, excavate, buy, sell, change or move the geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes.

Article 4 The administrative department of land and resources shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of Geopark protection. Linxia Geopark Service Center is responsible for guiding and supervising the inspection and protection of geoheritages in the park by relevant counties and cities. Service centers in Linxia City, Yongjing County, Hezheng County, Guanghe County, Dongxiang County and Linxia County are responsible for the specific work of inspection and protection of geoheritages in their respective counties, and can coordinate the support and cooperation of public security, land resources, forestry and grass departments when necessary.

Article 5 Linxia Geopark shall implement graded protection and administration. It is divided into the following three levels of protection zones:

1. The first level reserves mainly include the remains of dinosaur footprints group in Liujiaxia, the ancient animal fossil site of Longdan Equus, the ancient animal fossil site of Hulin Hipparion, the ancient animal fossil site of Laogou Platybelodon , and the fossil site of Yaogou Giant Rhinoceras.

2. There is one reserve of the second level located in Bingling Danxia and Bingling Temple Grottoes, with a total area of 0.22 square kilometers, mainly protecting Dasigou stone pillars, Dasigou Buddhist niche shaped cliff, Jingninggou Danxia, Bingling Danxia peak cluster. There are 5 second-level protection sites, which mainly protect geoheritages of national significance within the park, including Hujialiang fossil point, Maogou Section, Guonigou fossil point and Ganggou Danxia.

3. There are 6 third-level protection sites, mainly protecting geoheritages of national significance within the park, including Shanzhuang fossil point, Houshan fossil site, Sigou fossil site, Yangwapuzi fossil site, Dashenggou fossil site, Heifangtai Loess landslide group and other geological sites.

Article 6 The control requirements and protection measures for each level of protection zone.

1. Control requirements and protection measures for the first-level protected area.

(1) Control requirements: The first-level protected areas (sites) may set up necessary trails and related facilities, but must be coordinated with the landscape environment, strictly control the number of visitors, and prohibit the entry of motorized transport.

(2) Protection measures: Warning signs for the protection of geoheritages are set up at the primary protection point, indicating the name of the geoheritage point and its protection content, important value, etc., and in Chinese and English, so as to reduce the damage to the relics.

2. Control requirements and protection measures for secondary and tertiary protection areas (points).

(1)  Control requirements: A small number of geotourism service facilities are allowed to be set up in harmony with the landscape environment, no buildings affecting the landscape of geoheritages shall be arranged, and the number of visitors shall be reasonably controlled; no large-scale buildings such as buildings and amusement facilities shall be arranged.

(2) Protection measures: Warning boards and instruction boards shall be set up along the turning points and the surrounding sites of the main roads in the secondary and tertiary protection areas and set up protection boundary stakes and warning boards at sites vulnerable to destruction by human activities and at the boundaries of the park accessible to visitors.

Article 7 In accordance with the master plan of Linxia Geoparks, Linxia Geoparks Service Center and Linxia Geopark service centers of Linxia City, Yongjing County, Hezheng County, Guanghe County, Dongxiang County and Linxia County shall install boundary stones and set up sign boards in the protection areas at all levels to mark the scope, limits and protection contents of the protection areas. As for the typical geoheritages under key protection, the administrative authorities of geopark shall take measures such as setting up guardrail and taking care of them by special personnel to carry out closed protection and management. No unit or individual shall move or destroy the protective boundary stakes, signs and guardrail of the geopark without authorization.

Article 8 It is prohibited to engage in the following activities within Linxia Geopark:

1. Building construction facilities that may cause damage to the geoheritages;

2. Illegal quarrying, earth extraction, mining, blasting, grazing and felling;

3. Collecting geological specimens and fossils without approval;

4. Enclose or fill river courses, mountain springs, waterfalls, etc.;

5. Other acts that destroy geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes.

In the first level protection area of Linxia Geopark, the following provisions shall be observed:

1. It is strictly prohibited to discharge untreated or substandard pollution into natural water bodies within the area;

2. It is forbidden to discharge or pile up wastes and refuse;

3. Restrict the entry of motor vehicles.

Article 9 When examining the construction projects involving the protection of geoheritages within the geopark, the geopark management institution shall solicit the opinions of the administrative departments of land and resources, forestry and grass, and then submit them for approval according to the prescribed construction procedures. Any project that does not conform to the planning and causes damage to geoheritages and landforms shall not be approved for construction. Building facilities that have been built and may cause damage to geoheritages or landforms should be managed or gradually moved out within a planned time limit.

Article 10 The scale of village settlements in the Geopark shall be strictly controlled, the large-scale movement of population in a short period of time shall be avoided, and the development of residents in the park shall be guided to coexist harmoniously with nature.

Article 11 Those who collect geological specimens and fossils or conduct experiments within the scope of the geopark shall apply to the Linxia Geopark Service Center, solicit opinions from the administrative department of land and resources, and then carry out the application within the designated route and scope after approval in accordance with the provisions.

Article 12 All units, residents and tourists in the geopark must abide by the various management systems of the geopark and consciously accept the management of the geopark management organization.

Article 13 The service center of Linxia Geopark shall investigate geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes, establish files on typical geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes, and strengthen protection research and carry out publicity and education on geo-environmental protection.

Article 14 Linxia Geopark Linxia City Service Center , Yongjing County Service Center, Hezheng County City Service Center, Guanghe County City Service Center, Dongxiang County City Service Center and Linxia County City Service Center, shall formulate a protection emergency plan, and in case of accidents or other emergencies that cause or may cause damage to geoheritages and geomorphic landscapes. These service senters shall immediately start the emergency plan, take measures to deal with them, and promptly report to Linxia Geopark Service Center and the same level of land and resources, forestry and other relevant administrative departments.

Article 15 The Geopark administration shall establishes and perfects various management systems, clarify the duties and responsibilities of the positions of protection and administration,conduct regular inspection of the protected areas, and promptly stop any violation of the provisions of these Measures and deal with it according to law.

Article 16 If breaking the provisions of these Measures and causing damage to the geoheritages or geomorphic landscape, it shall be punished by the administrative authority of the geopark in conjunction with the relevant administrative departments of land and resources, forestry and grass, public security, etc.

Article 17 The Department of Resource Protection Division of Linxia Geopark Service Center shall be responsible for the interpretation of these Measures.

Article 18 These Measures shall come into effect from the date of promulgation.