Stations give 'paws' for thought

"The Metog nature stations serve multiple purposes. They employ a range of media — models, hand-drawn illustrations, interactive devices and videos — to comprehensively showcase Metog's biodiversity and geographical features," she notes.

These stations reflect over 70 years of content innovations by the magazine, which is hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"The content we produce is built on the foundation of extensive research and expertise from many researchers," Guo says.

Typically, for each topic, a group of researchers in geology, plants and animals will work together to organize and present content in a fun, engaging way.

"The approach taken to introduce these key points is both interesting and systematic. We have dedicated significant thought to presenting the content in an innovative manner," Guo says.

The opportunity arose as China's culture and tourism industry entered a new phase, with travelers displaying a growing desire to genuinely comprehend a region, rather than relying solely on local legendary tales.

"Based on this idea, we began exploring each area's uniqueness, hoping to uncover the authentic charm of each region in the country and convey it simply and effectively to allow people to really experience it," Guo says.

The stations aim to provide a natural interpretation of each destination.

"We delve into the distinctive geological formations, the unique features they possess, the special flora and fauna that inhabit the region, the intriguing insects that thrive there, and the rich cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations. Exploring these facets consistently reveals their distinct characteristics," she says.

Guo's team has set its sights on almost 50 unique areas boasting major natural belts and ecosystems.