Аннотация:The development of a network of specially protected natural areas has become one of the priorities of China‘s environmental policy over the past decade. Since 2012, China has been implementing the transition to an «ecological civilization», declared as a long-term national strategy for promoting sustainable development. The development of national parks‘ network is an important task of the strategy. The Nanling National Park (NP) is the first one planned to be located in the north of Guangdong Province, at the southern foot of the Nanling Mountain Range. The development of Nanling NP will contribute not only to the protection of natural landscapes and biodiversity, but also to the economic development of the region. Due to the growing demand for outdoor recreation, the expansion of the national parks‘ network is a prerequisite for the development of both tourism and the economy of the region. To manage this activity, regional administrations are already developing plans on communication with local residents.