云台山世界地质公园

云台山世界地质公园

云台山位于河南省焦作市，总面积280平方千米，是一处以太行山岳水景为特色，以峡谷类地质地貌景观和历史文化为内涵，集科学价值和美学价值于一身的自然景观与地质公园。

云台山因山势险峻，峰壑之间常年云锁雾绕而得名。云台山风景区含红石峡、潭瀑峡、泉瀑峡、子房湖、茱萸峰、叠彩洞、猕猴谷、百家岩、万善寺等主要景点。主峰茱萸峰海拔约1300米；坐落在泉瀑峡内的云台天瀑单级落差314米，是亚洲单级落差最大的瀑布，被誉为“华夏第一高瀑”，是云台山标志性景观之一。

云台山地质遗迹丰富，现已发现34亿年前的岩层。30多亿年来，形成了太古宇、元古宇、古生界和新生界地层，尤其是2300万年以来，新构造运动的强烈抬升和水蚀作用的深度下切，造就了云台山双崖对峙的峡谷群和各种动态的瀑、泉、溪、潭，共同构成了“云台地貌”景观。

在中国历史上，云台山不仅受到了诸多帝王将相、文人雅士的青睐，而且佛教和道教也在此相互影响，使之成为一座底蕴厚重的宗教名山。2004年2月，云台山被联合国教科文组织评选为全球首批世界地质公园。

Yuntaishan Global Geopark

Yuntaishan, or the Yuntai Mountain, is located in Jiaozuo, Henan Province. The geopark is distinguished by its majestic mountain view and captivating waterscape. It presents awe-inspiring canyon geology and landform and embodies a rich historical and cultural heritage, integrating great scientific and aesthetic value.

The mountain got its name "Yuntai" (literally meaning "cloud platform") from the perennial clouds lingering among its steep peaks and valleys. The Yuntai Mountain Scenic Area boasts appealing views of valleys, lakes, peaks, caves, and temples. The summit of Zhuyu Peak erects 1,300 meters above the sea level. The Yuntai Sky Waterfall, the landmark waterfall with a single drop of 314 meters, is the highest of its kind in Asia.

The Yuntai Mountain is home to rich geological relics, including rock strata dating back 3.4 billion years as well as the Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic and Cenozoic strata. In particular, the neotectonics and water erosion over the last 23 million years have created the fabulous clusters of valleys sandwiched between steep cliffs and a variety of cascades, springs, streams, and ponds. All these constitute the unique Yuntai landform.

While being favored by the emperors, high-rank officials, and the literati in history, the Yuntai Mountain also has a profound religious legacy left through the mutual influence between Buddhism and Daoism. In February 2004, it was designated by the UNESCO as one of the first global geoparks.