World Heritage Identification Number: 1292
World Heritage since: 2008
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇳 China
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Mount Sanqingshan National Park: A Unique Blend of Natural Beauty and Cultural Significance
Mount Sanqingshan National Park, inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2008, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance that makes it a must-visit destination. Located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province, China, this 22,950 hectare park is renowned for its exceptional scenic quality, marked by the concentration of fantastically shaped granite peaks and pillars.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a 22,950 ha property located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province (in the east of central China) has been inscribed for its exceptional scenic quality, marked by the concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks: 48 granite peaks and 89 granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes. The natural beauty of the 1,817 metre high Mount Huaiyu is further enhanced by the juxtaposition of granite features with the vegetation and particular meteorological conditions which make for an ever-changing and arresting landscape with bright halos on clouds and white rainbows. The area is subject to a combination of subtropical monsoonal and maritime influences and forms an island of temperate forest above the surrounding subtropical landscape. It also features forests and numerous waterfalls, some of them 60 metres in height, lakes and springs.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (vii): Superlative natural phenomena or natural beauty: Mount Sanqingshan’s remarkable granite rock formations combine with diverse forest, near and distant vistas, and striking meteorological effects to create a landscape of exceptional scenic quality. The most notable aspect is the concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks. The natural beauty of Mount Sanqingshan also derives from the juxtaposition of its granite features with the mountain’s vegetation enhanced by meteorological conditions which create an ever-changing and arresting landscape. The access afforded by suspended walking trails in the park permits visitors to appreciate the park’s stunning scenery and enjoy its serene atmosphere.
Encyclopedia Record: Mount Sanqing
Mount Sanqing is a renowned Taoist sacred mountain located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Yushan County in Jiangxi Province. Sanqing means the "Three Pure Ones" in Chinese as Mount Sanqing is made up of three main summits: Yujing, Yushui, and Yuhua, representing the Taoist trinity.Additional Site Details
Area: 22,950 hectares
Number of Components: 1
Coordinates: 28.9158333333 , 118.0644444444
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Mount Sanqingshan National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Mount Sanqingshan National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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How does the tourist experience affect the conservation of World Heritage Sites via the stimulus‒organism‒response model? Mount Sanqingshan National Park, China
Tourist experiences significantly influence the conservation of World Heritage Sites (WHSs) through positive impacts on perceived value, satisfaction, and protection intentions. A study using Mount Sanqingshan National Park as a case study found that tourism involvement, service quality, and Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) attractiveness enhance tourists' perceptions and emotional attachments, which in turn support heritage conservation efforts. However, OUV attractiveness did not directly correlate with tourist satisfaction, and place attachment was not a strong predictor of protection intentions. The research employs the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model and structural equation modeling to analyze 565 visitor responses, providing actionable insights for sustainable tourism management and WHS conservation strategies.
Nian, S., Bao, J., Chen, Y., Zhang, X., & Chen, Y. (2025). How does the tourist experience affect the conservation of World Heritage Sites via the stimulus‒organism‒response model? Mount Sanqingshan National Park, China. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01550-z
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Examining the Mediating Effect of Destination Image Between Sensory Impression and Behavioral Intention: Empirical Evidence From China World Natural Heritage Sites
A significant mediating role of destination image between sensory impressions and behavioral intentions is identified, particularly highlighting the influence of visual, olfactory, auditory, and tactile stimuli on tourists' cognitive, affective, and conative images at Mount Sanqingshan National Park (MSNP). The study, grounded in Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theory, demonstrates that destination image positively impacts behavioral intention, especially through the conative component. Using data from 393 on-site questionnaires analyzed via Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the research reveals how sensory impressions shape tourists' perceptions and subsequent behaviors, offering novel insights for branding World Natural Heritage Sites (WNHSs).
Zheng, Q., & Rahman, S. (2025). Examining the Mediating Effect of Destination Image Between Sensory Impression and Behavioral Intention: Empirical Evidence From China World Natural Heritage Sites. Sage Open, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251341404
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The moderating role of gender and generation in the impact of destination image on behavioural intention at world natural heritage site
A significant gender gap exists in how cognitive and affective destination images influence behavioral intentions at Mount Sanqingshan National Park. Female tourists show stronger indirect effects of cognitive image on behavioral intention through affective image and conative components compared to males. Additionally, generational differences emerge between post-2000s/1990s and post-1980s/1970s groups, with notable variations in the relationships between cognitive image, affective image, and conative components. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) on data from 388 respondents to uncover these insights, providing actionable guidance for managing diverse tourist perceptions at World Natural Heritage Sites.
Zheng, Q., & Rahman, S. (2025). The moderating role of gender and generation in the impact of destination image on behavioural intention at world natural heritage site. Journal of Tourism Management Research, 12(1), 157–171. https://doi.org/10.18488/31.v12i1.4248
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Research on Tourism Image Perception of Mountainous Scenic Areas Based on Online Reviews: A Case study of Mount Sanqing Scenic Area, a World Heritage Site
A strong positive overall image perception of Mount Sanqing Scenic Area emerges from visitor reviews, despite notable negative emotions tied to infrastructure, service quality, and overcrowding. The study analyzed 2127 online reviews using the 'cognitive-affective-overall' model, revealing that while visitors praise attractions, environment, and experiences, they highlight critical issues such as long cable car queues, poor management, high costs, and limited cultural exploration. These findings underscore both the site's appeal and areas for improvement to enhance visitor satisfaction and sustainable tourism development.
(Ed.). (2024). Research on Tourism Image Perception of Mountainous Scenic Areas Based on Online Reviews: A Case study of Mount Sanqing Scenic Area, a World Heritage Site. Tourism Management and Technology Economy, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.23977/tmte.2024.070214
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Tourist Crowding versus Service Quality: Impacting Mechanism of Tourist Satisfaction in World Natural Heritage Sites from the Mountain Sanqingshan National Park, China
Tourist satisfaction at World Heritage Sites (WHS) is significantly influenced by service quality, which positively impacts both the perceived attractiveness of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and overall satisfaction. Contrarily, tourist crowding—particularly functional, personal, and social crowding—negatively affects satisfaction without substantially altering OUV attractiveness. This study, conducted at Mount Sanqingshan National Park in China using structural equation modeling on 535 tourist samples, introduces the SCA-S framework (service, crowding, attractiveness, and satisfaction) to analyze these dynamics. Findings underscore the critical role of service quality in enhancing tourism experiences while mitigating the adverse effects of crowding, offering actionable insights for heritage conservation and visitor management.
Nian, S., Chen, M., Yan, J., Du, Y., & Su, X. (2024). Tourist Crowding versus Service Quality: Impacting Mechanism of Tourist Satisfaction in World Natural Heritage Sites from the Mountain Sanqingshan National Park, China. Sustainability, 16(18), 8268. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188268
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Stimulus-Organism-Response Framework: Is the Perceived Outstanding Universal Value Attractiveness of Tourists Beneficial to World Heritage Site Conservation?
Tourists' perception of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Mount Sanqingshan National Park, significantly influences their conservation behavior. A study using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework and structural equation modeling with 563 tourist samples found that OUV attractiveness positively affects tourists' value perception and destination attachment, which in turn enhances their heritage protection intentions. Additionally, heritage-conservation education and positive attitudes toward conservation further strengthen these behaviors. The research proposes a framework linking cognitive and affective attitudes to heritage protection intention, ultimately benefiting the sustainable development of both tourist industries and World Heritage Sites.
Nian, S., Li, D., Zhang, J., Lu, S., & Zhang, X. (2023). Stimulus-Organism-Response Framework: Is the Perceived Outstanding Universal Value Attractiveness of Tourists Beneficial to World Heritage Site Conservation? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1189. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021189
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How Outstanding Universal Value Attractiveness and Tourism Crowding Affect Visitors’ Satisfaction?
A study on Mount Sanqingshan National Park reveals that Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) attractiveness significantly enhances tourist satisfaction and destination attachment, while perceived tourism crowding does not negatively impact these factors. Analyzing 536 questionnaire responses using structural equation modeling, researchers found that OUV's charm plays a crucial role in shaping tourists' attitudes and behaviors, contributing to their overall satisfaction. This research broadens the understanding of visitor satisfaction, offering practical implications for heritage preservation and visitor management at World Heritage Sites.
Nian, S., Chen, M., Zhang, X., Li, D., & Ren, J. (2023). How Outstanding Universal Value Attractiveness and Tourism Crowding Affect Visitors’ Satisfaction? Behavioral Sciences, 13(2), 112. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13020112
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