Three United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization geoparks have been criticized for not doing enough to impart scientific knowledge and have vowed to mend their ways.

Experts called on Chinese tourist sites to go beyond teaching history and culture and place a greater emphasis on Earth science.

Zhang Jie, a geomorphology professor at Nanjing University's tourism research institution, said tourist sites in China tend to concentrate more on promoting culture and history, subjects that appeal to many visitors but have little to do with science.