Listening to the wind at the foot of snow-capped mountains, galloping across vast grasslands, tracking wildlife through rainforest vines — with visa-free policies expanding and ecotourism products diversifying, more and more foreign travelers are venturing deep into China's natural heartlands. In the first quarter of 2026, visa-free entries reached 8.315 million, up 29.3% year-on-year; from January to May, border inspection agencies recorded 19.097 million foreign entries, up 21.3% year-on-year. Among this surge, ecotourism destinations have particularly stood out: Zhangjiajie received 1.1298 million overseas visitors in 2025 (up 24.7%); Jiuzhaigou welcomed 475,800 inbound tourists (up 43.82%); and Mount Siguniang saw inbound visits surge 190% year-on-year.
From "checklist sightseeing" to "nature immersion," from "city tours" to "wilderness exploration" — ecotourism is becoming a new way for foreign travelers to discover China.
- Five National Parks: The Essence of China's Natural Heritage
On January 1, 2026, the National Park Law of the People's Republic of China officially took effect, marking a new phase of legal and standardized development for China's national park system. China has established five national parks: Sanjiangyuan, Giant Panda, Northeast China Tiger and Leopard, Hainan Tropical Rainforest, and Wuyi Mountain — covering 230,000 square kilometers and nearly 30% of terrestrial nationally protected wildlife species.
1. Sanjiangyuan National Park — "The Water Tower of China"
Located in southwestern Qinghai Province, Sanjiangyuan National Park covers 190,700 square kilometers and is named for being the source of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang (Mekong) rivers. Known as a "cold-altitude biological species gene bank," the park is home to over 2,200 species of vascular plants and 270 terrestrial vertebrates, including 24 nationally protected species such as Tibetan antelope, snow leopard, white-lipped deer, wild yak, and black-necked crane. A youth ecotourism group from Utah, USA, visited Sanjiangyuan to experience the positive interaction between conservation and community development through park documentaries and live video connections with rangers.
2. Giant Panda National Park — Home of the National Treasure
Spanning Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, the park offers three distinctive recreational routes (Guangyuan Tangjiahe, Ya'an Labahe, Meishan Wawushan) and 11 well-developed visitor areas. Besides giant pandas, visitors have a high chance of spotting takins and other wildlife. Since the park's establishment, the wild giant panda population has grown from approximately 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 today.
3. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park — Home of Wild Big Cats
Located at the border of Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, this park protects China's only remaining wild populations of Amur tigers and Amur leopards. Most rangers are local residents, reflecting a conservation model where "communities become conservation stakeholders." Populations of these flagship species continue to grow.
4. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park — China's Largest Tropical Rainforest
Hainan has China's largest tropical forest area. The park offers 10 ecological recreation routes and科普 trails, with Wuzhishan, Diaoluoshan, and Limu Mountain as popular destinations. Hainan is actively developing ecotourism and wellness services under the unified "Tropical Forest" brand, featuring five characteristic ecotourism routes.
5. Wuyi Mountain National Park — Tea-Infused Scenery of Clear Water and Red Cliffs
Located on the Fujian-Jiangxi border, Wuyi Mountain is renowned for its Danxia landforms and Wuyi rock tea. Czech visitors climbed Tianyou Peak, marveled at nature's craftsmanship, and drifted down the Nine-Bend Stream on bamboo rafts amidst the "clear water and red cliffs" scenery.
How to enter the national parks? The parks implement zoned management with strict protection in core areas. In suitable areas of general control zones, activities such as science education, recreation, and ecological experiences are permitted. "The public can enter through personal reservations" — detailed information is available on the National Forestry and Grassland Administration website and official social media accounts.
- World-Class Nature Reserves & Ecotourism Destinations
Beyond the five national parks, China has established over 11,800 protected areas at various levels, including 2,750 nature reserves, 1,051 scenic spots, 3,548 forest parks, 650 geoparks, and 898 wetland parks. Here are some of the most worthwhile ecotourism destinations:
1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — China's First National Forest Park
Established in 1982, Zhangjiajie is China's first national forest park, spanning 130 square kilometers and famous for its towering sandstone peaks and rich biodiversity. Thanks to China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, Zhangjiajie has become a key gateway for international travelers. In the first half of this year, the park received 3.28 million visitors, including 576,900 foreign visitors (up 41.47% year-on-year). A hidden hiking gem is Yaozhaizi Scenic Area — closed for ecological restoration for a decade, it offers a pristine, cable-car-free, fully徒步 route with streams, lush forests, and abundant negative oxygen ions, rewarding hikers with spectacular peak views at the summit. Jinbian Stream Valley offers the most restorative easy hike — a 7-km trail alongside crystal-clear water, with frequent sightings of wild macaques.
2. Jiuzhaigou — A Fairyland on Earth
Jiuzhaigou is world-famous for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountain scenery. In 2025, it received 475,800 inbound visitors, up 43.82% year-on-year. Thanks to long-term strict ecological restoration and management, its water quality, vegetation, and geological landscapes remain pristine.
3. Mount Siguniang — "The Alps of the East"
Located in Sichuan, Mount Siguniang attracts hiking enthusiasts from around the world with its snow mountains, forests, and alpine meadows. Inbound visitor numbers surged 190% year-on-year. A Polish visitor said: "At Mount Siguniang, you can feel the charm of nature. Quiet down, slowly enjoy the mountain ecology alone. You can also have some butter tea and try local food."
4. Qinghai Lake National Park Candidate Area — A Sapphire on the Roof of the World
Qinghai Lake is China's largest inland saltwater lake and is in the process of becoming a national park. Its ecological beauty has been exhibited in a Spanish "Hidden Land" photography exhibition, providing an international showcase for Qinghai Lake.
5. Huanglong and Wulong — World Natural Heritage Sites
Huanglong is famous for its colorful travertine pools, while Wulong is known for its karst landscapes. Thanks to long-term strict ecological restoration and management, these World Natural Heritage sites maintain high-quality water, vegetation, and geological conditions. Wulong, in southeastern Chongqing, is transitioning from "scenic viewing" to "in-depth leisure," using boutique homestays and high-quality formats to transform inbound visitors from photo-takers to immersive nature retreat participants.
- Birdwatching Hotspots: A Pilgrimage Destination for Global Birders
China sits on the East Asia-Australasia Flyway, and birdwatching tourism is becoming a significant growth area in ecotourism.
1. Guangxi Nonggang National Nature Reserve — Home of the Nonggang Babbler
Located in Zhubu Township, Longzhou County, Guangxi, the Nonggang National Nature Reserve is the only nature reserve in China with a northern tropical limestone seasonal rainforest ecosystem. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here, including the rare Nonggang babbler, which is found nowhere else. Since 2025, birdwatching groups from the US, UK, Australia, and other countries have made special trips, with some booking half a year in advance. Local bird guide Huang Haipeng said: "They say photographing the Nonggang babbler here is a highlight of any birder's career." Professional local guides not only help visitors spot birds but also design deep experiences like night observation tours, transforming birdwatching into an immersive ecotourism experience blending nature education and cultural appreciation.
2. Yalu River Estuary Wetland, Dandong, Liaoning — A World Heritage Migratory Bird Station
In 2024, the Yalu River Estuary Wetland was inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming a "migratory bird station" on the East Asia-Australasia Flyway. It is a key stopover site for the spoon-billed sandpiper, with only about 700 remaining globally.
3. Yancheng Wetland, Jiangsu — East China's Largest Artificial Metasequoia Forest
Yancheng is both a core area of the China Yellow (Bohai) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat (a World Natural Heritage site) and home to East China's largest artificial metasequoia forest, with over 90% forest coverage and exceptionally high negative oxygen ion levels.
4. Nanhui Dongtan, Shanghai — A Bird Paradise on the City's Edge
Located on the south bank of the Yangtze River estuary, Nanhui Dongtan is an important migratory bird stopover, with 222 wild bird species recorded. The wetland, adjacent to the Yangtze, maintains a complete ecological barrier, making it an ideal spot for observing bird behavior away from crowds.
- Hiking & Outdoor Adventures: Exploring China's Landscape on Foot
1. National Forest Trails — New Standardized Hiking Options
In April 2026, the General Administration of Sport of China and 11 other departments jointly issued a plan for building a national trail system. The trails feature campsites and supply points offering charging, drinking water, food, and emergency aid. Some trails offer closed-loop routes of 3 km, 5 km, 8 km, and 10 km.
2. Ecotourism Hiking Considerations
Wang Lei, Secretary-General of the Ecotourism Branch of the China Tourism Association, noted: "Not all nature sightseeing and wilderness trekking counts as ecotourism. Only activities based on a complete framework of conservation, education, community sharing, and revenue reinvestment can be defined as ecotourism." The Mountaineering Center of the General Administration of Sport has issued a notice strictly prohibiting illegal徒步 and trekking activities, and forbidding individuals or organizations from entering nature reserves' red-line zones without authorization. Always follow designated hiking routes — never enter core areas of nature reserves without permission.
- Practical Tips for Ecotourism
1. Best seasons to visit
Spring (March-May): Best for birdwatching — peak migration season
Summer (June-August): Peak season for summer ecotourism — cool temperatures in plateaus, forests, and mountains
Autumn (September-November): Best time for autumn foliage at Jiuzhaigou, Huangshan, Kanas, and other destinations
Winter (December-February): Hainan's tropical rainforests remain warm; northeast China offers snow-covered forest scenery
2. Pre-trip preparation
Confirm reservations: National parks and popular nature reserves should be booked in advance through official channels
Gear checklist: Hiking shoes, binoculars (essential for birdwatching), sunscreen, warm layers (plateau areas have large day-night temperature differences)
Offline maps: Mountain areas may have unstable signals — download offline maps in advance
Eco-awareness: The core of ecotourism is "conservation first" — do not take natural items or feed wildlife
3. Transportation
Most national parks and nature reserves are accessible via high-speed rail to the nearest city, then local transport
Some remote areas may require car hire or joining a local ecotourism tour
Popular destinations like Zhangjiajie have opened multiple international flight routes
4. Visa convenience
In the first quarter of 2026, visa-free entries reached 8.315 million, up 29.3% year-on-year. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy has greatly facilitated international travel to China. Confirm your visa eligibility before departure.
5. The value of ecotourism
"Ecotourism aligns with the values of today's international travelers. More and more travelers care about 'sustainable travel' — they don't want to be mere resource-consuming sightseers," said Su Mingming, Professor at Renmin University's School of Environment and Natural Resources. "Ecotourism emphasizes respect for nature and support for local communities. Visitors gain deeper satisfaction through hiking, birdwatching, and participating in conservation activities. This value alignment is especially evident in European and American source markets." "China's ecological achievements are attracting international attention. From desert control to rice terrace conservation, foreign visitors want to see these changes firsthand. Ecotourism allows them to move from 'seeing scenery' to 'experiencing China's unique human-nature relationship' — an experience far more memorable than city sightseeing."
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