Geoconservation and geotourism in Arxan-Chaihe Volcano Area, Inner Mongolia, China

In East Inner-Mongolia, the Arxan-Chaihe Volcano Area (ACVA) constitutes an important component part of the Cenozoic volcanic eruption area in Northeast China, with great scientific and aesthetic value. The area has received much attention since the 1980s. The Arxan National Geopark was established in 2004 and the Zalantun Autonomous Geopark in 2010, and volcanic geoconservation and geotourism developed to a certain degree, along with some common problems in geopark development. This paper analyzes the characteristics, geoconservation, and geotourism of volcanic geoheritage in the area. The main problems identified are the inefficient conservation management, uncoordinated development, and the limited interpretation system. We provide some suggestions on the problems in order to promote the local development, such as strengthening legislation, training tour guides as volcanologists with a background in geology who can interpret volcano geoheritage correctly, building a web site, and combining the two geoparks to apply for designation as a global geopark (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.