Jiuhuashan (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Two more Chinese sites received the label of Global Geopark from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN body announced on April 17.

"UNESCO's Executive Board today approved the designation of eight new sites demonstrating the diversity of the planet's geology as new Geoparks and also approved the extension of three existing Geoparks," the organization said in a statement.

The first of the newly designated Geoparks, Jiuhuashan Geopark, is located in Qingyang County in east China’s Anhui province. Beyond its religious and cultural significance, the site is also home to stunning granite landscapes.

The second new site is Yimengshan Geopark in east China’s Shandong province. The site, dotted with castle-shaped land formations called Daigu, is home to the first primary kimberlite-type diamond ever discovered in China.

UNESCO also approved the extension of Funiushan, Sanqingshan and Taishan Geoparks in China.

The Global Geoparks Network was created with UNESCO’s support in 2004 to encourage cooperation between geological heritage experts and practitioners. It also seeks to promote awareness of geological hazards, disaster mitigation strategies and climate change.

There are currently 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 41 countries and regions.