Directory of Protected Areas in East Asia - IUCN

3.2 China, People’s Republic of
IUCN Category No. of protected areas Area (ha)
Category Ia 22 2,899,417
Category Ib 15 45,728,830
Category II 20 815,673
Category III 9 119,715
Category IV 149 5,621,095
Category V 63 4,660,642
Category VI 330 8,372,485
Total 608 68,217,857
Natural World Heritage Sites
Name Latitude/Longitude Area (ha) Date of inscription
Huanglong Scenic and Historic
Interest Area
32°40’N/103°30’E 70,000 1992
Situated in the northwest part of Sichaun province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and
the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can
be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population
of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and
Historic Interest Area
33°06’N/104°00’E 72,000 1992
Stretching over 72,000ha in the northern part of Sichuan Province, the jagged Jiuzhaigou Valley reaches a
height of more than 4,800m, and comprises diverse forest ecosystems. Its superb landscapes are especially
interesting for their series of narrow conic karst landforms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species
also inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda
and the Sichuan takin.
Mount Emei and Leshan Giant
Buddha
29°16’N/103°10’E 15,400 1996
The first Buddhist temple in China was built here in Sichuan province in the first century in very beautiful
surroundings atop Mt. Emei. The addition of other temples turned the site into one of the main holy places of
Buddhism. Over the centuries, the cultural treasures grew in number. The most remarkable was the Giant
Buddha of Leshan, carved out of a hillside in the eighth century and looking down on the junction of three
rivers. At 71m high, it is the largest Buddha in the world. Mt. Emei is also notable for its very diverse
vegetation, ranging from sub-tropical to subalpine pine forests. Some of the trees are more than a thousand
years old.
Mount Huangshan 30°39’N/118°09’E 15,400 1990
Huangshan, known as “the loveliest mountain of China”, was acclaimed through art and literature during a
good part of Chinese history (the Shanshui “mountain and water” style of the mid-16th century). Today it holds
the same fascination for visitors, poets, painters and photographers who come in pilgrimage to this enchanting
site, renowned for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of a sea of
clouds.
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Places