Top 10 Nature Reserves in China: Explore China’s Natural Wonders

Written by Natalia | Updated October 18,2025

Covering a vast territory, China is also famous for the biodiversity and numerous natural heritages. Through over 10 years’ development, the national parks, nature reserves and natural parks in China have been more than 11,800. And 90% of terrestrial ecosystem types, 85% of wildlife populations and 65% of higher plant communities are protected. China’s nature reserves are also shelters for many rare and endangered species, such as the lovely giant pandas. Then among these reserves, what are the best to explore nature in China? Follow this article to unveil the top natural wonders in China.

Content Preview

• 1. Wolong National Nature Reserve
• 2. Mount Everest National Nature Reserve
• 3. Shennongjia Nature Reserve
• 4. Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve
• 5. Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve
• 6. Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve
• 7. Hainan Bawangling National Nature Reserve
• 8. Wuyishan National Nature Reserve
• 9. Kekexili Wildlife Protection Reserve
• 10. Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve
• 11. Potatso National Park
• 12. Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve
• Practical Tips for Natural Exploration in China
• FAQs about China Nature Reserves
• Explore Natural Wonders in China with China Xian Tour

1. Wolong National Nature Reserve

• Location: Wolong Town, Wenchuan County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 90
• How to Get there: There are tourism direct buses to Wolong China Giant Panda Park at Chunxi Road and New South Gate Bus Station in Chengdu.
• Best Time to Visit: Spring and Autumn.
• Top Things to Do: 1) Indulge yourself in observing the cute pandas; 2) Hike to explore the serene and magnificent primitive forests; 3) Visit Giant Panda Museum

If you love the cute pandas, do remember to include Wolong National Nature Reserve during your China tour. Over 100 pandas live here, which accounts for 10% of the country. In addition, it is home to 56 national key protected animals, like snub-nosed monkeys and takins. Inside the reserve, the altitude difference is more than 5,000 meters, so the complete transition of scenery from Sichuan Basin to Qinghai-Xizang Plateau can be enjoyed at once. This also leads to the abundant plant species, the number of which is nearly 4,000 types. What an amazing number! The main scenic spots inside this China nature reserve are Giant Panda Park, Giant Panda Museum, Desheng Valley, etc.

Suggested China Panda Tours including Wolong:

2 Days Wolong Panda Base Volunteer Tour

2. Mount Everest National Nature Reserve

• Location: Tingri County, Shigatse City, Xizang Autonomous Region
• Ticket Price: CNY 180
• How to Get there: Foreigners have to take part in a tour group and apply for the Tibet Travel Permit and Frontier Pass via a travel agency
• Best Time to Visit: Late April – May; September – October
• Top Things to Do: 1) Marvel at the four 8,000-meter high snow mountains at Jiawula Pass; 2) Send a postcard at the Everest Base Camp; 3) Wait for the splendid scene of morning sunlight covering the snow peak;

Just imagine, there are 5 giant snow mountains over 8,000 meters high in the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve. But the magic of this reserve lies in the fact that it is by no means a forbidden zone for life. From the green deep valley with a height of 1,400 meters to the 8848-meter-high Qomolangma, the vast land nourishes mountain forests, retama bushland, etc. And you can experience the four seasons in one tour. Besides, it is also a rich treasure of life with 53 mammals, 206 birds and 2,348 higher plants. With its development, the number of snow leopards has increased from less than 100 to over 200. So it is not just the Summit of the world, try to challenge this China nature reserve if your body is permitted.

3. Shennongjia Nature Reserve

• Location: Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 299 for a combined ticket for six major scenic spots
• How to Get there:The most convenient way is to take a high-speed train to Xingshan Station or Badong Station and then transfer to Muyu Town by one-hour driving, where offers tourism bus to each scenic spot.
• Best Time to Visit: April – May; Late September – November
• Top Things to Do: 1) Climb 2,999 steps to the Shennong Peak; 2) Explore the Hill of Snub-nosed Monkeys; 3) Watch the morning mist covering the surface of DajiuhuLake

Shennongjia Nature Reserve earns the reputations of the “Man and the Biosphere” Reserve, the World Geopark, and the World Natural Heritage Site. Its main peak the Shennong Peak is 3,106 meters high, which is renowned as “The Roof of Central China”. A well-preserved northern subtropical forest ecosystem is maintained here. There are approximately 3,084 species of higher plants, as well as 493 types of vertebrates, including over 100 animals and plants under national protection, such as snub-nosed monkeys, golden eagles and leopards. It is also a “refuge” for many ancient relict animals and plants. The complex and diverse landforms, including karst landforms and glacial relics, together form a huge “geological museum”.

4. Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve

• Location: Xiewu Town, Chenduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province
• Ticket Price: free
• How to Get there:Arrive at Xining first and then go there by chartered bus or join in a tour group
• Best Time to Visit: June – September
• Top Things to Do: 1) Visit the sister lakes of the “source of the Yellow River” – Zaling Lake and Eling Lake; 2) Encounter wild animals on the plateau; 3) Wait for the sunset in the starry sea

Sanjiangyuan means the source of three rivers. What are they? The Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Lancang River. So this China nature reserve is divided into three parks. The Yellow River Park is famous for thousands of lakes. And the Yangtze River Park is featured by the magnificent alpine glaciers. And the Angsai Grand Canyon inside the Lancang River Park is full of splendid Danxia landform, which is a popular area for enjoying the highland canyon scenery and searching for the tracks of snow leopards. The three rivers are the source of life for the downstream areas. This scenic area is also home to many rare Chinese wildlife. The Tibetan antelope is the star here. Medicinal herbs and plants of the plateau such as Cordyceps sinensis, snow lotus and Rhodiola rosea grow in the area.

5. Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve

• Location: Chibei District, Antu County, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 225+
• How to Get there:Take the flight to Changbaishan Airport and then transfer to a taxi, tourist bus or shuttle bus to the scenic area.
• Best Time to Visit: June – early October
• Top Things to Do: 1) Explore the Heavenly Lake; 2)Stroll in the underground primitive forest; 3) Relax yourself in the unique volcanic hot spring

Among all the nature reserves in China, only Changbai Mountain boasts a complete volcanic landform. But you do not have to worry about the safety, because it is a typical dormant volcano and the last eruption is already about 300 years ago. The Heavenly Lake on the top of the mountain is the deepest crater lake in China with an average water depth of 204 meters.

Due to an altitude difference of over 2,000 meters, from the foot to the summit of the mountain, you can enjoy four distinct vegetation zones: mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, birch forest and alpine tundra. Besides, in the protected area, there are 2,806 known kinds of wild plants and 1,558 species of wild animals. Interestingly, mammoth fossils were also discovered here, and a theme park was built, which shows the mystery of the Ice Age.

Suggested tours:

5 Days Changbai Mountain Skiing & Drifting Tour

6 Days Harbin Snow Town and Changbai Mountain Tour

6. Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve

• Location: Taiping Town, Jiangkou County, Tongren City, Guizhou Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 110
• How to Get there:Take a train to Tongren or Tongren South Railway Stations first. Both train stations have a bus station which offers direct buses to the scenic area.
• Best Time to Visit: April -October
• Top Things to Do: 1) Climb to the Red Cloud Golden Summit to feel “the city in the sky”; 2) Experience Buddhist culturein Cheng’en Temple; 3) Take a photo with the landmark Mushroom Rock

You will not want to miss it during your Guizhou tour. The most amazing of Fanjing Mountain is the high-rising Red Cloud Golden Summit. The huge mountain is divided into two parts by the nature and they are connected by an overbridge, making it like a gate to the fairyland. The nearby Mushroom Rock is undoubtedly a natural wonder in China. Although seeming to collapse, it has actually stood firm for millions of years. As for the wildlife, it is the only home of the Guizhou golden monkey on Earth and the Fanjing Mountain fir is a unique tree species that exists only in Fanjing Mountain. In addition, it is one of the five famous Buddhist mountains in China. There used to be a huge complex of temples. Though most are destroyed in the history, the remaining Cheng’an Temple and Huguo Temple still attract many believers.

Suggested Guizhou tours including Fanjing Mountain:

6 Days Guizhou Cultural Tour with Mount Fanjing

7. Hainan Bawangling National Nature Reserve

• Location: Qicha Town, Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 45+
• How to Get there:Take the island-looping high-speed train to Qiziwan Station, then get there by taxi.
• Best Time to Visit:October – April of the next year
• Top Things to Do: 1) Seek for the host of the rainforest – Hainan gibbon; 2) Hikein the Baishitan and Yajia scenic spots;

Bawangling National Nature Reserve is the only national nature reserve in China that focuses on protecting the Hainan gibbon and its habitat. The Hainan gibbon is one of the most endangered primates in the world, and Baoshanling is the last habitat for them on Earth. Inside the reserve, there are also more than 2,000 vascular plants and over 300 vertebrates, thus it is known as the “gene bank of species”.

To facilitate tourists to explore this scenic area, several plank roads have been paved between the well-developed Baishitan and Yajia scenic spots. So enjoy a hiking tour to explore the heart of the forest. And try to find the trace of Hainan gibbon.

Related reading: Top Things to Do in Hainan

8. Wuyishan National Nature Reserve

• Location: Wuyishan City, Nanping City, FujianProvince
• Ticket Price: CNY 135 +
• How to Get there:Wuyishan Airport is very close to the scenic area. After arrival, you can take a taxi there directly. Or take a train to Wuyishan North Train Station and then transfer to a bus or taxi.
• Best Time to Visit:March – May, September – November
• Top Things to Do: 1) Take a boat along Jiuqu Stream to appreciate the Danxia landform; 2) Climb Tianyou Peak to overlook the streams and continuous mountains.

Wuyi Mountain is a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, it is famous not only for the Danxia landform, but also for the complete and typical primary forest ecosystem. The forest covers up to 96.3% of the area, so it contains extremely rich biodiversity. It may be unbelievable that over 10,000 wild animals are found here. And biologists have endowed them with numerous astonishing titles, such as “Paradise of Birds”, “Kingdom of Snakes” and “World of Insects”. Besides, it is also the birthplace of originator of black tea – Zhengshan Xiaozhong, which originates from Tongmu Village in the protected area.

Suggested tours:

3 Days Wuyi Mountain Highlights Tour

4 Days Xiamen & Mount Wuyi Highlights Tour Via High-speed Train

9. Kekexili Wildlife Protection Reserve

• Location: Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, QinghaiProvince
• Ticket Price: free
• How to Get there:Foreign tourists are not allowed to enter by themselves, so you need to join in a Tibet tour group including the reserve.
• Best Time to Visit:May – October
• Top Things to Do: 1) Seek the trace of wild animals; 2) Indulge in alpine lakes.

Located in the northeastern corner of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Kekexili Wildlife Protection Reserve is one of the largest (about 45,000 sq km) and highest (with an average altitude of over 4,600 meters) nature reserves in China.

Although the natural environment is harsh in this vast uninhabited area, it is a paradise for plateau wildlife in China. And Tibetan antelope is the main protected species. Other special animals include wild yak, plateau wolf and brown bears. With the densest group of lakes on the Plateau, it also enjoys the reputation of “the land of a thousand Lakes”.

Suggested tours including Kekexili Reserve:

11 Days Tibet and Silk Road Group Tour by Train

10. Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve

• Location: Zhazhang Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 160 – 280
• How to Get there:First, take the airplane to Jiulong Huangzhai Airport or take the bullet train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Train Station. Then take the shuttle bus or chartered bus to the scenic area.
• Best Time to Visit:July – September
• Top Things to Do: 1) Take the sightseeing bus to explore the lakes; 2) Appreciatethe magnificent waterfalls; 3) Visit Tibetan Villages to experience Tibetan culture.

Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve is known as “the King of waterscape”. The colors of lakes are very rich, from blue, green to yellow. The unpredictable changing color is formed because of the clear water, abundant mineral deposition and reflection of surrounding forests and mountains. There is also a magnificent group of travertine waterfalls. The most famous are Nuorilang Waterfall and Pearl Shoal Waterfall. Besides, it is home to abundant rare plants and animals, including the national first-class protected animal pandas and golden monkeys and over 2,000 higher plants. The most special of this China nature reserve is Tibetan culture. Nine Tibetan villages are dotted in the mountains. The unique Tibetan wooden buildings, prayer flags, and prayer wheel rooms form a rich cultural landscape.

Suggested tours:

3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Tour

6 Days Classic Tour of Chengdu & Jiuzhaigou

11. Potatso National Park

• Location: Hongpo Village, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La City, Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
• Ticket Price: CNY 138
• How to Get there:First, get to Shangri-La City by air and then take the direct bus to the park from Shangri-La Coach Station.
• Best Time to Visit:April – October
• Top Things to Do: 1) Stroll on the plank road along the Shudu Lake and Bita Lake; 2) Feel the vastness of the grassland in Militang Pasture.

Potatso National Park is the first national park in China. Covering an area of 1,313 sq km, it is a large natural treasure. Its beauty is the unadorned natural beauty. During the tour, you will see clear lakes, wetlands full of blooming flowers, green forests, lush meadows, river valleys and streams with the increase of heights. So it is one of the top national parks in China. The main scenic spots are Shudu Lake, Bita Lake and Militang Pasture.

12. Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve

• Location: Dadugang Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
• Ticket Price: Varies from CNY 45 – 200 for different scenic spots
• How to Get there:After arriving at Jinghong City by air or train, it is better to take a chartered bus or join in a one-day tour group to explore the reserve considering its vast area.
• Best Time to Visit:October – April of the next year.
• Top Things to Do: 1) Watch the interesting elephant show or observe the wild elephants on the plank road or cable car; 2) Unveil the secret of tropical botanical garden; 3) Experience the ethnic customs in Dai Ethnic Park

Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve is the kingdom of plants and animals and the tropical biological gene bank. Consisting of five areas – Mengyang, Menglun, Mengla, Shangyong and Mangao, its area reaches 242,500 hectares. When stepping into this China nature reserve, you will feel like in a green secret realm full of miracles of life. Here lies the most complete and largest tropical primeval forest area in China, making it a perfect home to Asian elephants. About 90% wild Asian elephants in China inhabit here. In addition, you may also meet many magical creatures here, such as the white-cheeked gibbons, green peafowls and chevrotains. This land has also nurtured the cultures of 13 ethnic minorities, including Dai and Hani, etc.

Practical Tips for Natural Exploration in China

To ensure you enjoy a safe and unforgettable China nature tour, the following useful tips are provided for your reference.

1. There may be special regulations for foreign tourists, so it is suggested to check the information through the official website or a reliable travel agency before the tour.
2. Almost all nature reserves implement a time-slot reservation system for entry. And in peak season, you may can not buy the ticket on site. So remember to book online in advance.
3. The weather is unpredictable in some nature reserves in China, so be sure to check the weather forecast and make adequate preparations.
4. Mosquito repellent will help you a lot in the forests and wetlands.
5. Many nature reserves are also home to ethnic minorities. Please respect the local religious beliefs, customs and taboos.

FAQs about Chinese Pagodas

Does China have nature reserves?

Of course. Since the establishment of China’s first nature reserve in 1956, we already have 2,750 nature reserves as of 2024.

Where to go for natural wonders in China?

The natural wonders in China can be classified into the following categories, you can explore according to your interests.

• Karst landform: Yunnan, Guangxi, Guilin
• Danxia landform: Gansu
• Canyons and mountains: Xizang, Yangtze River
• Plateaus, deserts and forests: Qinghai, Xinjiang, Sichuan
• Unique climate and hydrological phenomena: northeast China

Where to see wildlife in China?

Nature reserves and national parks are usually the main places to find the wildlife. They are mainly distributed in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau region, northeast China region, south China and tropical regions.

Why is China setting up nature reserves?

The three main reasons are protection of biodiversity, maintenance of ecological security and promotion of sustainable development.

How many administrative levels (e.g., National, Provincial) are used to classify Nature Reserves in China?

There are a total of four levels to classify, including national, provincial, municipal, and county levels.

Which famous Nature Reserve is known for protecting the Giant Panda and its mountain forest ecosystem?

China has established more than 10 nature reserves to protect giant pandas, and Wolong National Nature Reserve is the most representative one, making it a must-visit place during a China panda tour.

Explore Natural Wonders in China with China Xian Tour

After knowing about the above famous Nature Reserves in China, you must have the urge to start a nature tour now. If you have no idea about how to plan the tour, ask China Xian Tour for help. Our professional consultant will recommend the nature reserves according to your needs, and tailor a trip integrating both the reserves and the famous nearby scenic areas. So you will have more abundant travel experiences. Do not hesitate to contact us now!