Complete list of 32 national parks in China

Arxan

Changbai Mountain

Dinghu Mountain

Funiu Mountain

Giant Panda

Hainan Tropical Rainforest

Huangguoshu

Huanglong

Huangshan

Jiuzhaigou

Kunlun Mountain

Laoshan

Lushan

Mount Emei

Mount Qomolangma

Mount Sanqing

Mount Tai

Mount Wuyi

Nanling

Potatso

Pudacuo

Qilian Mountain

Sanjiangyuan

Shangri-La

Shennongjia

Three Parallel Rivers

Tianshan

Wudalianchi

Wuyi

Xianju

Zhangjiajie

Zhangye Danxia

China National Parks

Arxan is a volcanic national forest park known for its pristine forests, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes. The park features numerous mineral springs, dense forests, and unique geological formations. It is home to diverse wildlife and plant species adapted to the northern climate.

Changbai Mountain is home to the highest peak in northeastern China and features the stunning Heaven Lake in its volcanic crater. The reserve contains diverse ecosystems ranging from alpine tundra to temperate forests. It is considered one of China's most important natural treasures and biodiversity hotspots.

Dinghu Mountain is one of China's oldest nature reserves and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It contains well-preserved subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests and numerous rare plant species. The mountain serves as an important site for scientific research on forest ecosystems.

Funiu Mountain is a significant biodiversity hotspot in central China's transitional climate zone. The reserve protects numerous endangered species and contains ancient temples and historical sites. Its varied elevation creates distinct ecological zones supporting diverse flora and fauna.

The Giant Panda National Nature Reserve is a crucial habitat for China's iconic giant pandas. The reserve encompasses bamboo forests, mountains, and valleys that provide ideal conditions for pandas and other rare species. It plays a vital role in panda conservation and research efforts.

Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park protects the largest continuous tropical rainforest in China. It is home to numerous endemic species including the Hainan gibbon, one of the world's rarest primates. The park features dense jungle, waterfalls, and unique tropical ecosystems.

Huangguoshu features Asia's largest waterfall and numerous smaller cascades in a karst landscape. The park contains extensive cave systems and unique geological formations. Its combination of water features and limestone topography creates spectacular scenic views.

Huanglong is famous for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits and travertine terraces. The valley contains snow-capped peaks, forests, and hot springs. Its unique geological features and biodiversity have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Huangshan is renowned for its granite peaks, hot springs, and iconic pine trees growing from rocky outcrops. The mountain often features a sea of clouds creating ethereal landscapes. It has inspired Chinese art and literature for centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Jiuzhaigou is famous for its turquoise lakes, multi-level waterfalls, and colorful forests. The valley contains numerous scenic spots including crystal-clear pools and snow-capped mountains. It is particularly spectacular in autumn when the forest displays vibrant colors.

The Kunlun Mountains form one of the longest mountain chains in Asia, extending for more than 3,000 kilometers. The range includes some of the most remote and unexplored mountains in the world. The area features diverse ecosystems including glaciers, alpine meadows, and desert landscapes.

Laoshan is a famous Taoist mountain located on the coast of the Yellow Sea. It features granite peaks, ancient temples, and is the source of the renowned Laoshan mineral water. The mountain combines natural beauty with significant cultural and religious heritage.

Lushan is a celebrated mountain featuring dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and numerous temples and landmarks. The area has been a popular retreat for scholars and artists throughout Chinese history. It combines natural beauty with rich cultural heritage and was historically a summer resort.

Mount Emei is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, rising 3,099 meters above sea level. The mountain features numerous temples, stunning natural scenery, and diverse wildlife including Tibetan macaques. It is also home to the first Buddhist temple built in China.

Mount Qomolangma National Nature Reserve contains Mount Everest and surrounding peaks. The reserve protects unique high-altitude ecosystems and rare species like the snow leopard. It features dramatic glaciers, alpine meadows, and some of the world's highest peaks.

Mount Sanqing is known for its exceptional scenic beauty and granite peaks often shrouded in mist. The park features unique rock formations, ancient trees, and diverse wildlife. It is considered a sacred Taoist mountain with numerous temples and religious sites.

Mount Tai is the most revered of China's Five Sacred Mountains. It has been a place of worship for at least 3,000 years and was the site of imperial ceremonies. The mountain features historical monuments, ancient temples, and inscribed tablets along its paths.

Mount Wuyi is a landscape of exceptional scenic quality and biodiversity. The area is the most outstanding biodiversity conservation zone of Southeast China. It is the most famous biodiversity conservation zone in Southeast China and a refuge for many ancient species.

Nanling National Nature Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot in southern China. The reserve protects subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests and numerous endangered species. It serves as an important ecological corridor between eastern and western China.

Potatso was China's first national park, featuring pristine lakes, wetlands, and forests. The park protects significant biodiversity including rare plants and animals native to the region. It showcases the natural beauty of the Tibetan Plateau ecosystem.

Pudacuo is China's first national park meeting International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. The park features stunning alpine landscapes with lakes, wetlands, and forests. It is home to more than 100 endangered species including the black-necked crane and Himalayan vulture.

Qilian Mountain National Park protects a vast mountain ecosystem in northwestern China. The park contains glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and diverse wildlife including snow leopards. It serves as an important water source for the Yellow River basin.

Sanjiangyuan National Park protects the source region of three major Asian rivers: the Yellow, Yangtze, and Mekong. The park encompasses vast grasslands and wetlands on the Tibetan Plateau. It is crucial for water conservation and hosts unique high-altitude wildlife.

Shangri-La National Park features dramatic mountain landscapes and rich biodiversity. The park preserves ancient Tibetan culture and pristine alpine ecosystems. It contains deep gorges, snow-capped peaks, and ancient forests.

Shennongjia National Park is known for its pristine forests and rich biodiversity. The park is famous for rare species like the golden snub-nosed monkey and the Chinese giant salamander. It features dramatic elevation changes from subtropical to alpine environments.

Three Parallel Rivers protected area features the upper reaches of three great rivers running parallel through steep gorges. The site contains spectacular landscapes and is one of the world's most diverse temperate regions. It is home to numerous endangered plant and animal species.

Tianshan encompasses a mountain range with spectacular snow-capped peaks and glaciers. The site features unique forest ecosystems and rare endangered species. It represents outstanding examples of ongoing ecological processes and biological evolution.

Wudalianchi Geopark features a volcanic landscape with 14 volcanic cones and five lakes. The park is known for its mineral springs and unique geological formations. It represents one of the world's most complete volcanic museums.

Wuyi Mountain is known for its spectacular landscapes of deep gorges and towering peaks. The park preserves the largest remaining subtropical forest in southeast China. It is also famous for its biodiversity and ancient cultural sites including the Nine-Bend River.

Xianju National Park features dramatic mountain landscapes and dense forests. The park is known for its unique rock formations and waterfalls. It serves as an important ecological preserve in eastern China's coastal region.

Zhangjiajie is known for its towering sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and dense forests that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. The park features thousands of peaks and columns, many rising over 200 meters high, formed through physical erosion. The area also includes caves, streams, waterfalls, and supports diverse wildlife including macaques and salamanders.

Zhangye Danxia is famous for its colorful rock formations featuring extraordinary colors of red, yellow, orange, and green. The rainbow mountains were formed by deposits of sandstone and minerals over 24 million years. The area represents one of the most spectacular examples of Danxia landform in China, with unique patterns created by folding of layered rock strata.