On December 4, 2017, The 3^rd International Intensive Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks kicked off at the International Conference Center of China University of Geosciences (CUG) (Beijing). This 5-day course was held in CUG (Beijing) and Fangshan Global Geopark separately.

Zhang Jianping, professor of CUG and member of Global Geoparks Network Executive Board and Nicholas Zouros, Chairman of Global Geoparks Network preseided over this course. Jin Xiaochi, member of Board of Directors of UNESCO Global Geopark, Kristin Rangnes, Prof. Tian Mingzhong from CUG and others constitued the lecturing team of this course and made in-depth interpretation and analysis on global geopark managemnt for management staff from global geoparks in China and also management staff from global geoparks ready to apply for the eligiblity of global geoparks.

In addition to interpretation on the scene, experts also discussed management experience of geoparks with trainees together and also discussed existing problems and queries together.

In the training, Prof. Nicholas Zouros and Doc. Kristin Rangnes from Gea Norvegica Geopark - Norway introduced the significance, role and activities of

UNESCO Global Geopark and Global Geoparks Network (GGN). Prof. Zouros stressed that the establishment of geoparks is to protect heritage and promote sustainable development and that global geoparks should adhere to the network, coordination and sharing principle and work together to achieve the goal. He also mentioned that GGN has played an important role in exchange and coordination among geoparks. Prof. Zouros gave special explanation on management and operation of geopark museum and mentioned that museums should act as a promoter, protector and communicator of geological relics. All museums should develop their own overall strategic plan, define their tasks and goals and give full play to their role in science popularization education, protection of relics, scientific research and serving tourists.

On December 7, all staff and team of experts taking part in the training made an investigation visit to Fangshan Global Geopark Museum and Zhoukoudian Site Museum to study and learn their management experience and commentation systems. They also paid an investigation visit to Shihuadong Cave Scenic Area, known as "Karst Cave Museum" in Fangshan Global Geopark. This scenic area is famous for its karst cave landscape inside and includes over 30 karst caves of different types. Yinhu Cave and Shihua Cave represents the best-known ones and also typical karst caves in temperate climate in northern China. The arrangement and design of commentation boards in the cave and setup of security systems are of learning significance for similar cave landscapes.