China is building the world's largest national parks system

China plans to overtake the United States by building the world's largest national park system, a network of wilderness bigger than Texas. Although China only created its first national park four years ago—some 149 years after the US did the same—it claims that by 2035 it will have 49 parks covering 272 million acres, triple the size of the U.S. National Park System.
China has already opened five national parks, totaling 57 million acres. Collectively, the parks span alpine peaks, tropical rainforests, remote glaciers, vast deserts, and high-altitude wetlands. They also protect rare animals like the Giant Panda, Siberian Tiger, and Asian Elephant. According to the Chinese Government, these parks are also preserving cultural heritage, boosting local economies, and enticing tourists to experience the country's diverse landscapes.
While domestic tourists flock to China's wilderness destinations, few foreigners follow suit, says Jun Wen, associate professor of tourism at Macau University of Science and Technology. Instead, most international visitors focus on China's giant, historic cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an. However, Wen believes that will change as China expands its park system; the country will become world-renowned for nature-based tourism.
(Our ancestors walked these trails hundreds of years ago. Now you can too.) China aims to upstage the U.S.
China's national park system will eclipse the US version, says Mei Zhang, CEO of Wild China, one of the country's biggest tour companies. Being launched so recently gives it the advantage of learning from the mistakes of other park systems.
'While the United States pioneered the Yellowstone model—preserving vast wilderness areas—it also made significant missteps,' Zhang says. 'Such as enclosing land and forcefully displacing Indigenous communities to create an image of 'pristine' wilderness. In contrast, China has the chance to chart its own course. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between local communities and wildlife conservation, China can create a national park system that integrates cultural vitality with ecological stewardship.'
That is a lofty goal, but then again, so is building the world's biggest national park system, from scratch in 14 years. China has a history of record-breaking mega-projects, from the world's largest dam to the planet's longest bridge, and an unrivalled high-speed rail network. Now China is channeling its vast wealth, ambition, and capability into protecting and showcasing its extraordinary, yet overlooked natural scenery. Here's a look at five national parks in China worth visiting now. 5 must-see national parks in China 1. Giant Panda National Park: China's iconic Giant Panda has a park Kindergarten children visit a Giant Panda cub at the Dujiangyan Panda Base. Photograph by Ami Vitale, Nat Geo Image Collection
Wen recommends visiting Giant Panda National Park, which covers 6.6 million acres of mountainous land in Central China's Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu Provinces. It protects the habitats of most of the country's 1,900 wild Giant Pandas; a species found only in China.
The best time to see this park is between April and October when the weather is warmest, vegetation is thickest, and Giant Pandas are most active. All year round, parkgoers can see pandas and learn about these unique creatures at the park's panda research centers at Wolong and Dujiangyan.
'Visitors have the opportunity to explore panda habitats on foot and even volunteer to assist panda caretakers,' Wen says. 'They can observe the daily activities of pandas, including climbing trees, playing, eating, and tumbling.'
Good to know: Giant Panda National Park can be reached by flying into Chengdu and then heading two hours north by bus. The park is quite isolated; so, it is most easily explored on a guided tour booked with a Chinese tour company. 2. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park: Saving big cats from extinction
In addition to Giant Pandas, China's national parks aim to save rare animal species from extinction. Zhou says the endangered Amur leopards and Amur tigers are now protected in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park. Located in northeast China, this national park covers 3.5 million acres along the borders with Russia and North Korea, and it eclipses the size of any national park in the lower 48 States of the U.S.
'Through removing fencing in forest zones, reconnecting fragmented habitats, and implementing ecological translocation, the park has restored essential migration and reproduction corridors for these species,' Zhou says.
Good to know: Visitors can observe some of these scientific projects up close by booking guided tours of this national park with Chinese tour operators like Benchmark. The isolated park can be reached by flying from Beijing or Shanghai into Yanji, followed by a three-to-four-hour bus ride.
(China just had a museum building spree. Here are 6 of the best.) 3. Sanjiangyuan National Park: A national park bigger than Florida
In northwest China's Qinghai Province, Sanjiangyuan National Park is 47 million acres and larger than Florida, making it China's largest park. The editor of Travel China Guide tour company, Catherine He says Sanjiangyuan is very diverse geographically. Dramatic mountains loom above glaciers, high-altitude wetlands, grassland meadows, desert plateaus, and mirrored lakes.
Sanjiangyuan is called 'China's Water Tower' because it is the source region of the Yangtze, Mekong, and Yellow rivers, says He. While exploring its pristine wilderness, visitors may spot unique snow leopards and Tibetan antelopes. According to the Chinese Government, this new park is why the antelope's population has soared to 70,000.
Good to know: Enter this vast park by flying into Xining or Golmud from big Chinese cities Xi'an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, and then take a relatively short bus or taxi ride. By visiting during the warmer months from May to September, visitors can hike its many trails in comfort, witness the park's grasslands in bloom, and increase their chances of seeing wildlife. 4. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park: China's version of Hawaii The Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone is known for its lush rainforest, waterfalls, and cultural experiences. It is part of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park on Hainan Island, China. Photograph by Dmitrii Melnikov, Alamy
The new Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park is also impressive, according to Aliana Leong, Hospitality Professor from Macau University of Science and Technology. It envelops 1 million acres of Hainan, China's southernmost province. Sometimes called the 'Hawaii of China', Hainan is a picturesque island fringed by pretty beaches and with a hilly, verdant interior. Forest rangers patrol the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in south China's Hainan Province. Photograph by Zhang Liyun, Xinhua/Alamy
'This new national park has China's most diverse, best preserved, and largest contiguous area of tropical rainforest,' Leong says. Within its lush expanse lives 33 percent of China's reptile species, 38 percent of its bird species, 20 percent of its mammal species, and more than 3,500 plant species. Leong adds, 'It is the only habitat for the Hainan gibbon and a treasure trove of tropical biodiversity.'
Good to know: This park is quickly reached by bus or taxi from either of Hainan's two international airports. Embrace its untamed vibe by joining a whitewater rafting tour through the commanding Wuzhishan Grand Canyon.
(China's other great wall is impressive, too—and steeped in history.) 5. Wuyi Mountain National Park: Insta-worthy landscapes Researchers walk through Zhongshan meadow in Wuyishan National Park, southeast China's Fujian Province. Wuyi Mountain has a comprehensive forest ecosystem representative of the mid-subtropical zone. It boasts diverse groups of plants due to its varying altitudes. Photograph by Jiang Kehong, Xinhua/Alamy
If you're on social media, then you may have seen eye-catching images and videos of Wuyi Mountain National Park. Covering 316,000 acres of mountainous terrain in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, it is known for its unusual Danxia landscapes, where red stone cliffs, gorges, and peaks contrast sharply against dense, green forests.
This park encompasses the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Wuyi, one of China's prettiest and most revered mountains, says Catherine He.
Good to know: Visitors can follow spectacular hiking trails, go bamboo rafting on Jiuqu Stream, wander splendid tea tree groves, or admire historic mountainside temples and monasteries, she recommends. China's new environmental focus
China already has thousands of protected nature reserves, says Ralf Buckley, emeritus professor of ecotourism at Australia's Griffith University. However, unlike most of the world's top national parks, those reserves don't qualify as national parks under the stringent system of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). So China designed its new national parks to meet the IUCN criteria by making them 'mainly for conservation, with limited tourism under strict regulation, and no residential housing'.
China's national park system is already improving wildlife preservation, says Bin Zhou, a tourism professor at China's Ningbo University. 'China is among the most biodiverse countries in the world, while also facing significant threats to its ecosystems,' Zhou says. Wearing a panda suit as camouflage, a panda keeper does a health check on a panda cub in Wolong, home to the Wolong National Nature Reserve and part of the Giant Panda National Park in China. Photograph by Ami Vitale, Nat Geo Image Collection
'The (park system) enables the designation of high-level protection zones in key ecological function areas, critical habitats, and ecological security barriers. Ensuring the long-term survival of flagship species such as the giant panda, Amur tiger and leopard, and Asian elephant, along with their habitats.'
The new parks have helped increase China's populations of 200 species of rare animals and about 100 endangered plant species, announced in May 2025.
(21 photos of China's best UNESCO World Heritage sites.) Cultural and social benefits of national parks
China's national park system is also motivated by cultural heritage preservation, economic development, and public education, says Aliana Leong, a tourism professor at Macau University of Science and Technology. 'Many of China's national parks are rich in cultural and historical significance, so expanding the national park system helps protect ancient villages, traditional cultures, and historical sites,' she says.
'National parks also drive local economic growth through tourism. They create job opportunities, increase revenue, and promote sustainable development in rural and remote areas. (Finally) they serve as outdoor classrooms, raising public awareness of environmental protection and cultural heritage.' Andrew Nelson is the author of National Geographic's recently published travel book Here Not There. Follow him on Instagram.

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Travel + Leisure

2 days ago

• Travel + Leisure

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National Geographic

2 days ago

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Forget the road trip—these national parks are best visited by train

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New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia Parkgoers may consider a fall train trip to witness the bursts of fall colors found along the banks of the New River Gorge in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, W. Va. Photograph by Daniel Wilson, Alamy Designated in 2020, West Virginia's national park is one of the nation's newest additions. Yet, just 300 miles from Washington D.C., New River Gorge National Park has seen a surge of visitors at a rate even higher than the park system's. With hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting opportunities ranging from mild to wild, the New River Gorge is known for a jolt of approachable yet adrenaline-fueled adventure in the eastern United States. The park's ties to the railway run deep; still-active stations like Thurmond were booming communities during the area's coal mining days. Today, Amtrak riders get a view no one else does. "There is no road that goes all the way through the gorge," says Eve West, the park's Chief of Interpretation and Education. "You'll get a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge and feel what it was like to live down in these smaller villages that are still visible from the train." Getting there and around: Amtrak's Cardinal runs between Washington D.C. and Chicago three times a week. Stops in the park include the small towns of Thurmond, Hinton, and Prince. Local whitewater outfitters run previously scheduled shuttle pickups. (The essential guide to visiting West Virginia.) Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio Goose Beaver Marsh is one of Cuyahoga Valley National Park's most popular destinations for birdwatching and spotting wildlife like turtles, beavers, and northern cardinals. Photograph by Prisma/Heeb Christian, Alamy While Cuyahoga Valley National Park may not be as recognizable as some of its older park peers, this greenway sandwiched between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, is quietly becoming one of the most popular in the country. It's a day-trippers' delight with waterfalls shielded by dense forests, pock-marked sandstone outcrops, and placid wetlands that feel hours away from the adjacent metropolis. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is the park's backbone along the Cuyahoga River. No longer a transportation system for goods, hikers, and bikers enjoy the juxtaposition of historic river locks and industrial mill remnants within the revitalized forest. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) transports riders in vintage railcars from the 1940s to the 1960s along the path, allowing recreationists to take a scenic ride on the non-profit railway to their trailheads. Getting there and around: Amtrak's Floridian stops daily in Cleveland on the route between Miami and Chicago. Once in Cleveland, the CVSR has eight stations through the park and allows bikes. (It was a toxic wasteland. Now it's a national park.) Denali National Park, Alaska Caribou graze amongst the fall foliage on a ridge in Denali National Park, Ala. Photograph by Barrett Hedges, Nat Geo Image Collection The state-run Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage to North America's highest peak, Denali National Park, in less than a day's ride from Anchorage. Domed observation cars leave no angle ignored as the train hurtles through the protected wilderness towards Fairbanks, Alaska. Denali restricts vehicles from the park's 90-mile single road year-round, protecting the subarctic wilderness. The park's shuttles are the most reliable way to journey into the backcountry, stopping for a hike or offering a chance to see the often-hidden mountain. For those who prefer to take their chances spotting Denali by air, the train stops in Talkeetna, where small planes offer quick tours, weather permitting. Getting there and around: The Alaska Railroad runs most routes, including the Denali Star, daily from May through September. For a bonus park, travel south from Anchorage on the Coastal Classic to the port of Seward. From there, catch the wildlife-spotting day cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park, one of the continent's largest ice fields. (Go with Nat Geo: Alaska: Denali to Kenai Fjords Expedition.) Rebecca Toy is a Kansas City-based writer who covers travel, history, and culture. Find her on Instagram.

Yahoo

3 days ago

• Yahoo

FCC says China Mobile could face US fines for failing to cooperate in probe

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday it could fine China Mobile for failing to answer questions in the agency's probe to determine if its U.S. operations are seeking to evade American restrictions. The regulator previously barred China Mobile and other Chinese companies from providing telecommunications services in the United States, citing national security concerns. The FCC said in March it was investigating nine Chinese companies including China Mobile, Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Hangzhou Hikvision and China Telecom to determine if they are seeking to evade U.S. restrictions. The FCC citation issued to China Mobile disclosed the commission has been probing the company's U.S. operations since November 2022. In February, the FCC sent China Mobile a supplemental letter asking additional questions. The FCC accused China Mobile of misconduct and said the company failed to provide the specific information and documentation requested. "China Mobile's conduct throughout this matter exhibits a disregard for the Commission's authority and threatens to compromise the Commission's ability to adequately investigate," the FCC said. It gave China Mobile 30 days to answer numerous questions or face fines. China Mobile did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The FCC said in 2019 China Mobile was indirectly owned and controlled by the Chinese government and noted a significant possibility that Beijing's influence and control could result in "computer intrusions and attacks and economic espionage." FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in March the Chinese companies may be still operating in the United States because they do not believe the designation prohibits particular types of operations. Other companies under investigation include Hytera Communications, Dahua Technology Company, Pacifica Networks/ComNet and China Unicom (Americas).