Chenzhou's national mineral expo, a gateway to Earth's geological wonders

The 13th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo opened on Friday in Chenzhou, Hunan province. Approved by China's State Council as the country's only national-level mineral and gem exhibition, it has grown into a globally influential annual spectacle since its permanent relocation to Chenzhou in 2015.

Spanning 60,000 square meters, the exhibition features 1,200 international-standard booths across four themed zones: mineral crystals, colored gemstones, fossils and meteorites, and art crafts. Over 70 overseas exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, as well as 530 domestic exhibitors, showcased rare specimens, including the lunar meteorite NWA, Brazil's Uruacu iron meteorite, Argentina's Esquel pallasite, and 100-million-year-old Canadian ammolite.