Mont Huangshan

The core area is uninhabited with the exception of mountain hotel staff so relationships with local people within the site are limited (UNEP-WCMC, 2011). There are no Indigenous peoples recognized with respect to the site. The buffer zone of Mount Huangshan was significantly enlarged in 2012 in part to facilitate better engagement with local communities. There are 150,000 people in surrounding communities reported as participating in heritage protection, tourist services and product sales. Compensation is paid to the communities of around 3 million yuan (397,000 euro) every year (IUCN Green List, 2025).
That said, the involvement of local communities in operational decision-making is variable and limited, although relationships are described as good between the site and local communities, residents, researchers, landowners and the tourism industry (World Heritage Committee, 2013; State Party of China, 2012; State Party of China, 2023).
Through an agreement between the site and the Huangshan District government, both sides agree to cooperate and coordinate on 18 areas including forest fire control, pine wood nematode control, infrastructure planning and construction, tourism development and marketing, emergency responses, and supply of local produce. An annual meeting between HSAC and representatives of the local communities is held to exchange views and discuss how to improve cooperation (IUCN Consultation, 2017).

The site enjoys strong legal protection as the basis for effective management. The protection area of Mount Huangshan as a World Heritage site coincides with the Huangshan National Scenic Area, and the buffer zone corresponds to the Scenic Area's outer protection zone (IUCN Consultation, 2025d). Relevant laws include: 'Constitution of the People's Republic of China', "PRC Cultural Relics Protection Law", "Forest Law of PRC", "Environmental Protection Law of PRC", "Water Law of PRC", "Wild Animal Protection Law of PRC", "National Park Regulations of PRC" , "Huangshan Scenic Area Management Regulations" etc. (State Party of China, 2023). Provincial regulations regarding the Conservation of Huangshan Scenic Beauty and Historic Interest Site were issued in 1989. Regulations have also been promulgated for forest protection and fire prevention (1987).

There is a well-established institutional framework operating for the site: The Huangshan Scenic Area Management Regulations (Fifth Revised Edition); the Implementation Measures for the Huangshan Scenic Area Management Regulations (both approved at the Anhui Provincial and Huangshan Municipal Government level); together with the 8 management measures formulated by the HSAC effectively protect the heritage values of Mount Huangshan (IUCN Consultation, 2025d). The site's governance system facilitates unified leadership exercised through the management committee and enables a high level of coordination across relevant institutions (IUCN Consultation, 2025e).
Whilst the site has a current Master Plan that deals with both natural and cultural heritage aspects, some stakeholders have expressed concerns over the lack of a fully integrated comprehensive protection and management plan that more holistically addresses and balances the management needs of both natural and cultural attributes (IUCN Consultation, 2025d).

The HSAC as an agency of the Huangshan Municipal People's Government coordinates with the Huangshan Municipal Forestry Bureau, Huangshan Municipal Natural Resources Planning Bureau, and Huangshan Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau (IUCN Consultation, 2020), and therefore ensures integration between different stakeholders relating to management activities of the site. The property is a significant part of the regional economy so features prominently in wider regional and national planning considerations.
Stakeholders also stress the importance of maintaining good natural corridors linking east to west sides of the property as well as from high altitudes to the lowlands (IUCN Consultation, 2025c).
In 2022, the State Council of China approved the spatial layout plan for national parks. Huangshan (Guniujiang) National Park has been clearly listed as one of the 49 candidate areas for national parks in China and is an important part of the 11 candidate areas in the Yangtze River Basin.
The "Huangshan City Territorial Space Plan (2021-2035)" proposes integrating into the Yangtze River Delta's development, strengthening the ecological barrier in southern Anhui and southwestern Zhejiang, and establishing a green industrial base for the region.

Mount Huangshan covers an area of 16,060 ha with a buffer zone of 49,000 ha (World Heritage Committee, 2013). The property was subject to a boundary modification in 2012 which clarified the area inscribed and increased the size of the buffer zone three-fold. The boundaries of the park and the buffer zone are widely known and recognized (State Party of China, 2023). The buffer zone was increased to enhance protection of the site and facilitate stronger engagement with surrounding communities. It includes the 4-km isolation zone for the efficient prevention of the pine wood nematode disease facilitating more unified quarantine of the pine wood nematode and control of alien species. The buffer zone modifications also allowed wider application of the 'ecological compensation fund' among the neighboring communities and improved the capacity of managing authorities to exercise better protection of resources and coordinated development controls (World Heritage Committee, 2012).

Mount Huangshan was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2004 and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2018. The World Heritage designation sits inside the territories of the above two designations and the World Heritage site manager is also the Global Geopark site manager (State Party of China, 2023). HSAC conducted a project on cooperative management mechanisms and synergies for Huangshan Geopark and World Heritage, and established the Expert Consultative Committee for the Coordinated Management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Huangshan. However, monitoring indicators for monitoring appropriate synergy with other conservation designations are planned but not yet in use (State Party of China, 2023). As a multi-designated UNESCO site, the site is seen as a good practice example for integrated management of such areas. The site also engages in international cooperation, promoting global cultural and heritage exchange through a regular series of Huangshan Dialogues on different topics (IUCN Consultation, 2025e).

There have been no recent Decisions by the World Heritage Committee made with regards to this World Heritage site. The latest Decision is from 2013 when the retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value was adopted (World Heritage Committee, 2013). Relevant Committee resolutions of 2012 and earlier have been fully implemented (State Party of China, 2023).

Climate change is a growing threat manifest through increased temperatures, reduced precipitation levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. A "Mt. Huangshan Comprehensive Plan for Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation" has been prepared by the HSAC, and establishes a lightning pre-warning and prevention system, as well as strengthened management responses to protect heritage attributes and the safety of tourists. Currently, there is no reported impact or damage (from extreme weather events) to the heritage site (State Party of China, 2023).

The site has a credible, comprehensive and target-driven Master Plan and a Mount Huangshan Heritage Protection and Management Plan which cover the same long-term timeframe (2007-2025) noting they will expire in 2025 (State Party of China, 2023). The current Master Plan seeks a practical approach to balance conservation, sustainable community development, public education and visitor experience. It specifies a zoning system and sets controls on visitor capacities and behaviour. Whilst the Master Plan outlines good measures to reduce the impacts of visitors, in the view of some stakeholders, it fails to fully address the noise, odour and other impacts of large numbers of visitors on wildlife (IUCN Consultation, 2025c).
Although the Master Plan does address natural and cultural heritage management aspects, some stakeholders believe a more integrated approach is needed to better manage the complementary and inseparable natural and cultural resources of the property. The HSAC is reported as having begun preparing an updated protection and management plan for Huangshan in line with this approach (IUCN Consultation, 2025d).
The management effectiveness of the property has also been evaluated through the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas (Green List) international standard. The site was first green listed in 2014 (IUCN Green List, 2025).

Enforcement of the relevant regulations appears effective and the site has adequate staffing, legal/policy support and financial resources at its disposal. Much of the enforcement effort is directed at managing the large numbers of visitors which is discussed more fully elsewhere in this assessment. A range of measures have been deployed and on the whole there is excellent capacity/resources to enforce legislation and/or regulation in the World Heritage property (State Party of China, 2012). Most observers agree that the site enjoys a high standard of protection and management with effective professional enforcement, however, some concerns have been raised regarding inadequate control of visitors during periods of peak congestion (IUCN Consultation, 2025d).

The vast majority of the site's funding needs are met from visitor use, businesses and associated charges and the available funding from these sources is deemed sufficient for adequate management of the site (ACMHSS, 2002). 92% of project costs and 100% of running costs are reported as coming from government (local/municipal) noting this is substantially underwritten by visitor use charges (State Party of China, 2023). State and Provincial direct level funding contributions along with grant funding makes up the balance of funding for the site (State Party of China, 2012).

There appears to be an adequate complement of qualified and trained staff to manage the site, although staffing levels reported are variable. Staff numbers of 547, supported by a body of varying temporary workers were reported in 2017 (IUCN Consultation, 2017). 935 employees, including 115 female managers are reported in the IUCN Green Listing process along with another two companies responsible for tourism and marketing with more than 4000 employees (IUCN Green List, 2025). Four geoscientists are also on the staff supporting the UNESCO Global Geopark (Huangshan UNESCO Global Geopark, 2023). From 2017 to 2019, HSAC conducted an extensive training programme for employees to improve their management capabilities (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The site has a reputation of actively seeking to build capacity and understanding through international outreach (including the application of the IUCN Green List Standards) offering an innovative approach to managing multi-designated sites, recognized globally (IUCN Consultation, 2025e).

Mount Huangshan is a celebrated place in China and abroad. Over the years since inscription, significant efforts have been directed toward raising awareness through the visitor centre and Huangshan Geological Museum, educational programmes, television programmes (CCTV), seminars, lectures, brochures and posters organized each year to celebrate various events such National Cultural Relic Day. (HSAC, 2016). The State Party contend that the OUV of the property is adequately presented and interpreted but acknowledge improvements could be made. 90% visitors are satisfied with the educational interpretation (State Party of China, 2012; State Party of China, 2023). However, some concerns have been raised that a more systematic and comprehensive approach is needed to interpret the values of the site in a more holistic and authentic way. As a mixed property, the current challenges lie in the interpretation and presentation of Huangshan's heritage values, especially the interpretation of its cultural heritage values as a place related to China's traditional landscape culture, particularly traditional landscape paintings and landscape poems. The interplay of nature and culture is central to this narrative (IUCN Consultations, 2025b, 2025e).

Mount Huangshan is increasingly targeted by tourists, and foreigners are being encouraged to visit it. The site is also a powerful economic engine for the region. Where in 1989 there were only 500,000 visitors, numbers have steadily risen to an annual average of 3.5 million in 2023 (State Party of China, 2023). Many measures have been taken to cope with the impact of increased visitation. For example, an innovative rotation system was adopted as early as 1987 to allow selected heavily visited areas in Mount Huangshan to be closed for a period of time to recover (HSCG, 2006). Hotels in Mount Huangshan were gradually moved outside and overnight stays discouraged. New sites outside of the site have been developed to divert the pressure and visitors are restricted to limited sight-seeing packages in peak season (IUCN Consultation, 2017; UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
Reported visitor carrying capacities for Mount Huangshan are variable in different references over the years. However, the site's current Master Plan outlines a comprehensive array of measures to manage visitor numbers and behaviours using a spatial and temporal approach. Visitor numbers are capped at 8,000 people/day with special control measures triggered on peak days when visitation reaches 80% of this cap (Huangshan Municipal People’s Government, 2006).
For the most part, diligent and well-resourced management is keeping the impacts of mass tourism under control however, the threat of huge and increasing numbers of visitors and the subsequent impacts on heritage values remains a concern for the site. Concerning impacts include noise and odour impacts of large concentrations of visitors on the numbers and distribution of shyer and rarer species such as black muntjak, pheasants, pigeons, and monkeys (also leading to problems of aggression between animals and localized damage to trees); trampling of vegetation; and heavy visitor congestion along the tourist routes impairing the visitor experience. Other concerns have been raised on the appropriateness and lack of authenticity of some tourism developments in surrounding areas which are not seen as sympathetic and in keeping with the values of Mount Huangshan. There could be more mutually reinforcing links between the OUV and other cultural, natural and intangible values in the surrounding areas, such as architecture, bamboo culture, traditional paper making, tea varieties and cultivation and local cuisine and habits (IUCN Consultations, 2025c, 2025d).

There is no consumptive use of resources permitted within the site. Issues of the site's contribution toward sustainable development are assessed under "Benefits"

The current monitoring system of the site is relatively complete, covering a wide range of issues. The sharing and utilization of monitoring data have taken initial shape, and the data is uniformly organized and research reports are issued by the management committee (IUCN Consultation, 2025e). In 2017, the Huangshan World Heritage Monitoring Centre was established with a Monitoring Information System (IUCN Consultation, 2020). 182 monitoring indicators have been established (in 22 categories) covering heritage values and elements, habitat diversity, and biodiversity protection and research, cultural heritage protection, natural landscape, disaster and environmental event management, environmental education and publicity, tourist and tourism management, community sustainable development and management capability (State Party of China, 2023).
Some concerns relate to wildlife monitoring and weak baseline data. Quite a few historically recorded species do not occur regularly or may not exist in the site at all any more (Giant salamander, Oriental stork etc.). A network of wildlife camera traps is also recommended for the site (IUCN Consultation, 2025c).

The site has a comprehensive, integrated programme of research, which is relevant to management needs and/or improving the understanding of OUV (State Party of China, 2023). Mount Huangshan has a strong legacy in research. specifically focused on water resources, air quality, state of sewerage, pine nematode control, and general environmental management (IUCN and UNEP-WCMC, 2011). Prominent scientists from research institutions and universities have been appointed as Chief Scientists to guide research staff. Extensive research on interactions between tourists and Tibetan macaques has been carried out (McCarthy, 2009; Ruesto, 2010; Yong, 2013).

Mount Huangshan is an important asset to the regional economy and source of local, regional and national pride. The site has a management system that embraces the site's landscape and sectoral context and seeks to coordinate and work with multiple actors in the buffer zone and wider region. The 2012 tripling of the buffer zone was designed to bolster the protection of the property but also to strengthen community outreach and manage external threats. Agreements with community governments are made to support decision-making, cooperation, planning and implementation (IUCN Green List, 2025). Examples include broad scale efforts dating from 1999 to combat pine wood nematode as a threat to the site's values. Similar integrated efforts aim to combat the threat of forest fires and no forest fires have broken out for more than 40 years (IUCN Consultations, 2017, 2020; State Party of China, 2023). Integrated approaches are also dealing with other risks and emergencies such as natural hazards, pandemics and tourist safety (IUCN Green List, 2025).

The Mount Huangshan management system is recognized as one of the best in China (IUCN Consultation, 2025c) and has provided effective long term protection of the site's OUV whilst balancing public demand and growing interest in the site. The site has strong legislation, well-established management institutions; professional and comprehensive protection and management teams; demonstrable tourism benefits, and a significant role in driving the regional economy (IUCN Consultation, 2025b). The application of the IUCN Green List to the site demonstrates an openness to benchmark against international standards and commit to a process of constant improvement.