The state-level Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Environment and Planning, Henan University, originates from Geological and Mineral Rock Specimen Room that was founded by academician Feng Jinglan in 1923 who was the first dean of the Geoscience Department, and the famous geologist in China. In 1998, the original “Geological and Mineral Rock Specimen Room”, “Hydrology and Water Resources Analysis Room” “Environmental Analysis Laboratory” and the “Geographic Information System Laboratory” were integrated as “Experimental Teaching Center of Environment and Planning”. Later, after the expansion construction, it was approved to become experimental teaching demonstration center of universities and colleges in Henan Province. In 2013, it became experimental teaching demonstration center of universities and colleges of National Department of Education. The center’s construction and operation relies on the first-class doctor degree discipline in geography and postdoctoral mobile research station, and other 8 PhD Programs as well as 14 Master Programs in Physical geography, human geography and geographic information science. Among that, geography is the national key cultivation discipline; human geography and regional economics are key disciplines of Henan Province; the geographical science speciality is the state-level characteristic discipline. Now, the center is composed of the popular science education base and the experimental teaching platforms for natural geography, environmental science, and geographic information science.

1. Experimental Teaching Platform for Natural Geography

The Experimental Teaching Platform for Natural Geography is made of Planetarium, the Specimen Room of Geological Soil, Animal and Plant Specimen Room, and the Comprehensive Laboratory (including the Preparation Room) and so on. Besides, the planetarium here is rare among domestic colleges and universities. The specimen room of geology and animal and plants that are rich in kinds are also unique in domestic colleges and universities, which are mainly responsible for the experimental courses during the teaching process of various elements of physical geography. The popular science education base of China Association for Science and Technology supported by the platform has also undertaken the popular science education function for school students at all levels both inside and outside Henan Province.

2. Experimental Teaching Platform for Environmental Science

The Experimental Teaching Platform for Environmental Science mainly works to support the teaching job of various analytical experiments courses in environmental science. It includes fundamental laboratories, large-scale equipment laboratories, and assisted laboratories. The fundamental laboratories are consisted of environmental monitoring room and environmental engineering room. The large-scale equipment laboratories are made of electrochemical analysis room, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, laser particle size analysis room, and total organic carbon analysis room. In addition, the assisted laboratories include balance room, medicine room, water-purifying preparation room, preparation room of soil sample, and small and medium-sized instrument room.

3. Experimental Teaching Platform for Geographic Information Science

Experimental Teaching Platform for Geographic Information Science is made of virtual geographical environment room, integrated sharing room of geographic data, application room of geographic information system and processing center of geographic data. The laboratory has all kinds of advanced software and hardware facilities, and is mainly responsible for experimental teaching jobs of various courses in geographic information science. Based on this platform, the Sino US joint ArcGIS Research Center for Teaching and Application was founded in 2011.

The center is mainly located on the teaching and scientific research building of the School of Environment and Planning, Henan University. The laboratory is concentrated in 1, 2, 4 and 6 floors, and with the net area of more than 3000 square meters. The teaching laboratory is fully built in accordance with the requirements of the national experimental teaching demonstration center. The layout of the laboratory is scientific and reasonable in area, space and structure, and it has the characteristics of digitalization and information, which meet the needs of teaching. Now, because of the rising experimental teaching level, complete equipment and efficient management,  the national experimental teaching demonstration center has become a good demonstration base for high-quality talents training.