Creating the World’s Largest National Park System

China is poised to build the world’s largest national park system.

“By fostering a symbiotic relationship between local communities and wildlife conservation, China can create a national park system that integrates cultural vitality with ecological stewardship,” says Mei Zhang, CEO of Wild China.

Though the nation got a late start, only creating its first national park four years ago, it claims that by 2035, it will have 49 parks covering 272 million acres – triple the size of the United States’ National Park System, which is currently the largest. Through its national park expansion, China is committed to ensuring that the new areas are protected and conserved, ultimately improving wildlife preservation, supporting endangered plant and animal species, and protecting traditional cultures and customs. This massive green expansion may soon make China a world-renowned location for nature-based tourism. The project marks a transformative shift in China’s ideology toward one where sustainable development and ecological health are at the forefront.