Mount Sanqingshan National Park

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.

• 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• Satisfaction of Tourism Communities in World Heritage Sites Based on Residents’ Perceptions—Study Area of Mount Sanqingshan National Park, PRC

  A significant positive influence of perceived benefits on place attachment and community satisfaction was found in Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The study, which analyzed 330 resident perceptions using structural equation modeling, revealed that while perceived costs negatively impacted place attachment, their effect on satisfaction did not hold true. Place attachment fully mediated the relationship between cost perception and satisfaction but partially mediated benefit perception and satisfaction, showing a strong positive effect on community satisfaction. These insights led to the development of the 'SHE-ABC' framework for World Heritage Site (WHS) tourist community satisfaction, offering theoretical value and practical guidance for sustainable heritage tourism management.

  Nian, S., Liu, F., Chen, M., & Cheng, G. (2022). Satisfaction of Tourism Communities in World Heritage Sites Based on Residents’ Perceptions—Study Area of Mount Sanqingshan National Park, PRC. Sustainability, 15(1), 533. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010533

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• How Outstanding Universal Value, Service Quality and Place Attachment Influences Tourist Intention Towards World Heritage Conservation: A Case Study of Mount Sanqingshan National Park, China

  Mount Sanqingshan National Park's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and service quality significantly influence tourists' intentions to conserve World Heritage Sites, with service quality proving more effective than OUV. A study of 565 tourist responses found that while both factors positively impacted conservation intent, place attachment did not mediate this effect. The research, using structural equation modeling, suggests prioritizing service quality improvements and affiliate attractions to enhance heritage protection and sustainable tourism development.

  Nian, S., Zhang, H., Mao, L., Zhao, W., Zhang, H., Lu, Y., Zhang, Y., & Xu, Y. (2019). How Outstanding Universal Value, Service Quality and Place Attachment Influences Tourist Intention Towards World Heritage Conservation: A Case Study of Mount Sanqingshan National Park, China. Sustainability, 11(12), 3321. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123321

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• Tourists’ perceptions of crowding, attractiveness, and satisfaction: a second-order structural model

  Tourists' perceptions of crowding at Mount Sanqingshan National Park negatively impact the attractiveness of the destination, though they do not directly affect satisfaction. This study introduces a multidimensional model of crowding—neutral, personal, and social—to refine how tourist experiences are evaluated beyond traditional metrics like satisfaction. Using a second-order structural equation model with survey data from 424 tourists, researchers found that while perceived crowding diminishes destination appeal, it does not directly influence overall visitor satisfaction. The findings underscore the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate negative perceptions of crowding and enhance tourist experiences at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  Li, L., Zhang, J., Nian, S., & Zhang, H. (2017). Tourists’ perceptions of crowding, attractiveness, and satisfaction: a second-order structural model. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 22(12), 1250–1260. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2017.1391305

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• A new species of Lophodermium with variously branched paraphyses

  Researchers have identified Lophodermium heterocladum, a new fungal species characterized by its distinctively branched paraphyses, found on the leaves of Rhododendron cavaleriei in Mount Sanqingshan National Park, China. This discovery contributes to the understanding of fungal biodiversity in the region. The study provides detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations, with the type collection preserved at Anhui Agricultural University. The research highlights the importance of systematic mycological surveys in UNESCO World Heritage Sites for uncovering novel taxa.

  Gu, H.-L., Xu, Y.-F., Lu, D.-D., Wang, S.-J., & Lin, Y.-R. (2015). A new species of Lophodermium with variously branched paraphyses. Mycotaxon, 130(1), 191–196. https://doi.org/10.5248/130.191

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