Prepare yourself for an awe-inspiring journey through the annals of time at Lang Son Geopark, a unique territory that chronicles the progression of life over a staggering 500 million years.

The unearthed story begins 500 million years ago, when this area was submerged under a vast but shallow sea. This period was marked by the Cambrian explosion, often referred to as the ‘biological Big Bang’, which saw the emergence of complex organisms such as trilobites and graptolites.

 Trilobite 500 million years ago in Sea Memory Site,

Fast forward to 450 million years ago, and the area was still a shallow sea teeming with corals, while elsewhere, life was beginning to venture out of the water and onto the continents.

By 300 million years ago, our area remained a shallow sea, rich with life, while the first insects took flight in other parts of the world.

220 million years ago, this sea was home to ammonites, mythical creatures known for their spiral shells. Eventually, the territory emerged the sea.

130 million years ago, gigantic herbivorous dinosaurs roamed the plains of this continent, their presence punctuated by the eruptions of numerous active volcanoes.

The southern part of the Geopark, still continental 30 million years ago, was a large lake surrounded by dense tropical forests. This lake was teeming with life, including crocodiles, the ancestors of rhinos, turtles, and fish.

In this grand narrative, the first humans only made their appearance 500,000 years ago, sharing the land with a diverse fauna that included giant apes and elephant ancestors… at the famous archaeological site of Tham Khuyen - Tham Hai cave in the southwest of the Geopark.

12,000 years ago, a prehistoric culture known as the Bacsonian emerged in the area. These were hunter-gatherers who utilized stone tools.

Finally, 4,000 years ago, another human population, the Mai Pha culture, arose. These people practiced animal husbandry and agriculture and crafted beautifully decorated ceramics.

Embark on an epic adventure through time and space with the Lang Son Geopark. Nine of its iconic sites offer a gateway to an incredible journey, inviting you to discover the evolution of life.