The IMTA has introduced the "World Famous Tourism Mountains" certification program to address the urgent need for standardized evaluation and sustainable development amid the rapid growth of global mountain tourism. Building on four years of comprehensive research, IMTA unveiled the world's first certification framework in 2024, categorizing these mountains into natural-oriented and cultural-oriented types. The inaugural certification recognized 14 iconic mountains that exemplify outstanding natural heritage, cultural significance, and sustainable tourism practices. 8 more will be added in 2025.
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Jungfrau - Switzerland (Selected in 2024)
At 4,158 meters, the Jungfrau is the crowning jewel of the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. Together with the Mönch and the Eiger, it forms the spectacular “triple peaks” skyline. Not only a renowned skiing and hiking destination in Europe, it is also legendary for the “Top of Europe” railway station at its summit—a perfect fusion of industrial engineering and natural beauty. [详情] -
Annapurna - Nepal (Selected in 2024)
With its main peak rising to 8,091 meters, Annapurna is the world’s tenth-highest mountain. It refers not to a single summit but to a massive mountain massif in north-central Nepal, considered one of the most classic trekking destinations in the Himalayas. [详情] -
Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains - Spain (Selected in 2024)
Risco Caido and Gran Canaria Sacred Mountains are not a traditional “mountain” but a mountainous cultural landscape in the heart of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. It stands as a testimony to the advanced wisdom of the now-vanished indigenous culture of the Canary Islands. [详情] -
Serra da Estrela - Portugal (Selected in 2024)
Serra da Estrela, meaning “Star Mountain Range,” is the highest point in mainland Portugal (1,993 meters), located in the north-central part of the country. It is an ancient granite plateau sculpted by glaciers, home to Portugal’s only ski resort and an important natural park and biosphere reserve. [详情] -
Table Mountain - South Africa (Selected in 2024)
Rising 1,086 meters above Cape Town, Table Mountain is the undisputed icon and natural landmark of South Africa. Its iconic flat top, often draped in a “tablecloth” of clouds, forms the core of the Cape Peninsula’s remarkable biodiversity. [详情] - Mount Heng (North) - Shanxi, China (Selected in 2024)
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Changbai Mountain - Jilin, China (Selected in 2024)
Straddling the border between China and North Korea, Changbai Mountain’s highest peak in China, Baiyun Peak, reaches 2,691 meters. A dormant volcano, it is famed for Heaven Lake—the world’s highest volcanic crater lake—vast virgin forests, rare flora and fauna, and deep cultural ties to the Manchu people. [详情] -
Mount Emei - Sichuan, China (Selected in 2024)
At 3,099 meters, Mount Emei lies on the southwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin. As one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and the bodhimanda of Samantabhadra, it is celebrated for its “grandeur, elegance, spirituality, and wonder,” blending natural beauty with Buddhist culture. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 1996, alongside the Leshan Giant Buddha. [详情]
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Belokurikhinsky Mountain Range - Russia (Selected in 2025)
Located in Russia’s Altai region, the Belokurikhinsky Mountains are a renowned wellness and mountain tourism destination, selected as a World Famous Tourist Mountain for their hot spring resources and diverse four-season tourism. [详情] -
Wawu Mountain - Sichuan, China (Selected in 2025)
Located in Hongya County, Meishan, Sichuan Province, Wawu Mountain is the world’s second-largest and Asia’s largest table mountain, serving as the "southern gateway" to the Giant Panda National Park. [详情] -
Danxiashan Mountain - Guangdong, China (Selected in 2025)
Renowned for its distinctive Danxiashan landform, Danxiashan Mountain is the namesake for this type of landscape globally. It comprises over 680 reddish sandstone formations characterized by flat tops, steep cliffs, and gentle foothills—vivid in color and varied in shape. Though not particularly high in elevation, each peak possesses its own unique charm. [详情] -
Soudah Mountain - Saudi Arabia (Selected in 2025)
Tucked within the Asir National Park, Soudah Mountain—the highest peak in Saudi Arabia—stands as an outstanding outdoor adventure destination in the Middle East. [详情] -
Argentina - Monte Fitz Roy (Selected in 2025)
Located in the Patagonian plateau of southern Argentina, Monte Fitz Roy is one of the most iconic peaks in the eastern Andes, standing 3,405 meters high. The indigenous Tehuelche people call it "Chaltén," meaning "smoking mountain," due to its perennial cloud cover. [详情] -
Mount Huangshan - Anhui, China (Selected in 2025)
Mount Huangshan stands majestically in Huangshan City, southern Anhui Province. Stretching about 40 kilometers from north to south and 30 kilometers from east to west. [详情]
The IMTA launched the "International Mountain Hot Spring Wellness Tourism Pilot Demonstration Site" certification program in 2023 to operationalize the world's first integrated standard - Construction and Rating of International Mountain Hot Spring Wellness Tourism Destinations (T/IMT 0001-2023). Developed through four years of collaborative research involving over ten international institutions including the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatic Health Tourism, Asia-Pacific (Chongqing) Hot Spring & Climate Wellness Tourism Research Institute, and Chinese Society of Forestry's Forest Therapy Committee, this standard establishes global benchmarks for sustainable development in the convergence of mountain tourism, hot spring wellness, climatic therapy, and forest rehabilitation. By regulating project planning, operational management, and ecological protection, the framework promotes responsible growth in the wellness tourism sector. The inaugural 2023 selection process prioritized global applications with a focus on China, resulting in 14 pioneer sites recognized for their regional representativeness, ecological uniqueness, and innovative management models. These designations provide replicable models for sustainable mountain hot spring wellness tourism development worldwide.
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Rido Hot Spring - Xizang, China (Selected in 2023)
Leveraging unique plateau hot spring resources and profound Tibetan cultural heritage, it has become a top winter destination for cold avoidance and wellness near Lhasa. [详情] -
Tianxing Hot Spring City - Chongqing, China (Selected in 2023)
Blending Chinese charm with modern aesthetics, the resort is built against mountains and rivers, offering views of green peaks and the sound of gurgling streams—immersed in natural vibes. [详情] -
Tongjing Hot Spring - Chongqiong, China (Selected in 2023)
Boasting Chongqing’s only geological wonder of coexisting hot and cold springs, it features 25 natural springs—including sand gushing springs, hanging springs, pearl springs, and geological growth springs—with a daily output of 18,000 cubic meters and temperatures ranging from 42-62°C. Rich in strontium, calcium sulfate, metasilicic acid, and other minerals and trace elements, the water meets medical thermal mineral water standards for boric acid and metasilicic acid, offering exceptional therap [详情] -
Xingyi Yuntun·Muyun Hot Spring - Guizhou, China (Selected in 2023)
The elliptical main building features black roofs and yellow walls with large floor-to-ceiling windows, offering unobstructed views and earning the nickname "Guizhou’s Bird’s Nest." Twenty-six scattered pools amid flowers and trees create the poetic scene of "people in the scenery, scenery in the pool," with mountain views from every room for a romantic vacation experience. [详情] -
Shiqian Ancient Hot Spring Scenic Area & Shiqian Xianren Street Scenic Area - Guizhou, China (Selected in 2023)
Shiqian Ancient Hot Spring, located at the foot of Songming Mountain south of Shiqian County, Tongren City, Guizhou, has a 400-year history and is one of China’s oldest hot springs. Connected to Shiqian Xianren Street Scenic Area (15 kilometers away) via a 5.1-kilometer aerial cableway, visitors can enjoy bird’s-eye views of rolling green mountains and cloud-top vistas. [详情] -
Splendid Xiangjiang Hot Spring City - Guangdong, China (Selected in 2023)
It offers 268 luxury guest rooms and 72 independent French-style hot spring villas, each equipped with a private garden, private hot spring SPA, and 24-hour royal butler service—realizing the design concept of "planting houses in the forest and placing balconies in the flowers." [详情] -
Bailes Tang Hot Spring - Sichuan, China (Selected in 2023)
Its 192 Han-Tang style villa guest rooms are scattered among forests, streams, and gardens, with a mountain-surrounded, water-embraced layout that blends architecture seamlessly with the landscape—earning it the reputation of "Tianfu’s Wonderful Soup." [详情] -
Tengchong Yousuo Motorcycle Tour Camp - Yunnan, China (Selected in 2023)
the camp comprises 15 low-density vacation villas constructed using prefabricated modular technology. With roofs made of gray volcanic rock blocks and red volcanic stone slabs, the design preserves the alpine ecosystem while integrating local volcanic elements. [详情]
The IMTA has initiated the certification program for "International Mountain Hiking Tourism Demonstration Routes" to advance high-quality global hiking tourism development through international standards. In 2021, the Alliance collaborated with the European Hiking Association, French Hiking Federation, and other specialized institutions to formulate the International Guidebook for Mountain Hiking Tourism, establishing technical benchmarks for trail design, infrastructure development, and operational management of hiking destinations. Since 2023, IMTA has been conducting a global selection of demonstration routes, with candidates recommended and evaluated by industry professionals and experts. Selected routes must demonstrate regional representativeness, ecological uniqueness, and international-standard service capabilities, serving as benchmarks for sustainable trail tourism development worldwide.
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Jinpingshan Outdoor Hiking Trail - Jiangsu, China (Selected in 2025)
Jinping Mountain is situated in Haizhou District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province. Composed of 11 independent mountain bodies and 37 peaks, it houses national key cultural relics protection units such as the Eastern Han Dynasty Buddhist cliff carvings and the Jiangjunya Rock Paintings. It is a famous mountain where natural beauty and historical culture blend harmoniously. [详情] -
Miluo Shending Mountain Marathon Eco-Hiking Trail - Hunan, China (Selected in 2025)
Shending Mountain is located in Shendingshan Town, southeastern Miluo City, Hunan Province. It is a renowned mountain where natural landscapes and cultural attractions complement each other. The mountain is covered with lush green forests and vibrant flowers, boasting scenic spots such as the Cloud-Sealed Ancient Cave and Green Pines Guarding the Cold Cliff. [详情] -
Pengzhou Longmenjing Mountain Outdoor Hiking Trail - Sichuan, China (Selected in 2025)
Located in the mountainous area of northern Pengzhou City, Longmen Mountain Tourist Resort is home to a cluster of natural wonders, including U-shaped river valleys, alpine seas of clouds, numerous uniquely shaped klippen, and karst cave groups. [详情] -
Mundum Trail - Nepal (Selected in 2025)
Officially opened to hikers in 2018, the Mundum Trail of Nepal winds through mountain ridges and valleys, offering panoramic views of six peaks exceeding 8,000 meters above sea level, including Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Makalu, and Lhotse. At the trail’s highest point, Mount Sirijonga, hikers can witness the breathtaking sunrise over these snow-capped giants. [详情] -
Wawu Mountain Cliff and Waterfall Hiking Trail - Sichuan, China (Selected in 2025)
The Wawu Mountain Cliff and Waterfall Hiking Trail is a scenic route within Wawu Mountain Scenic Area that combines grandeur, wonder, steepness, and elegance. It mainly consists of the Lanxi Cliff Plank Road and the Mid-Hill Gallery. The Lanxi Cliff Plank Road, with an altitude drop of 310 meters, is built in a zigzag pattern chiseled into the 90-degree basalt cliff face. [详情] -
Changbai Mountain Forest Secret Land Mountain Hiking Tourist Route - Jilin, China (Selected in 2025)
As the highest peak on the eastern edge of the Eurasian continent, Changbai Mountain boasts a 92.2% primeval forest coverage rate, creating a unique hiking sanctuary. This trail links core attractions including the Underground Forest on the North Slope, Jinjiang Grand Canyon on the West Slope, border customs on the South Slope, and the Wangtian'e Waterfall Group. Here, volcanic lava stone forests, the grand scenery of Tianchi Lake, and the culture of the Korean ethnic group intertwine seamlessly [详情] -
Hiking Trail of China's Five Great Mountains (Songshan Section) - China (Selected in 2024)
The first section passes through Shaolin Temple Scenic Area, covering key attractions such as the Shaolin Temple Main Courtyard and the Forest of Pagodas. Hikers can watch exciting Shaolin martial arts performances and feel the heroic spirit of "all martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin". [详情] -
Hiking Trail of China's Five Great Mountains (Hengshan Section, Hunan) - China (Selected in 2024)
Featuring "picturesque landscapes and the coexisting culture of Buddhism and Taoism", it leverages Hengshan's natural endowment as "the most graceful among the Five Great Mountains" and its thousand-year accumulation of religious culture, becoming a benchmark hiking route in South China that combines leisure experience with profound cultural connotations. [详情]
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Shivapuri Peak Hiking Trail - Nepal (Selected in 2023)
Nepal's Shivapuri Peak Trail lies northwest of the Kathmandu Valley, adjacent to Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Its core appeal is "close-up panoramic views of the Himalayan range + authentic mountain village culture," offering an excellent blend of nature and cultural experience. Located just 20km from central Kathmandu, it's often called "Kathmandu's Backyard." [详情] -
Lord of the Rings Hiking Route - New Zealand (Selected in 2023)
The route links several classic tracks. On the North Island, the Tongariro Northern Circuit is the undeniable "Heart of Middle-earth." A UNESCO Dual World Heritage site, this 43.1km loop traverses three active volcanoes. Mount Ngauruhoe's perfect cone is the prototype for "Mount Doom." [详情] -
Chamonix Section of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) - France (Selected in 2023)
Located in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France at the northern foot of Mont Blanc (4,810m), the Chamonix section is the classic starting point of the TMB circuit and is its most scenic and well-equipped core segment. [详情] -
Dujiangyan Zhaogong Mountain Hiking Tourism Demonstration Site - Sichuan, China (Selected in 2021)
Located in Yutang Town, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, this demonstration site is situated at the highest peak of the Qingcheng Mountain range. Named after the legendary God of Wealth, Marshal Zhao Gongming, who is said to have retreated here, it is a key mountain hiking demonstration project around Chengdu built in 2021. [详情] -
Mount Gaoligong Mountain Hiking Trail - Yunnan, China (Selected in 2021)
Located in Tengchong, Baoshan, and other places in western Yunnan Province, at the western end of the Hengduan Mountains, this route is a world-class mountain hiking destination prominently released in 2021. Boasting core advantages of "rich biodiversity + primeval ecological landscapes + historical ancient trail relics," it is hailed as the "hiking paradise in western Yunnan’s secret land." [详情] -
Huaxi Gaopo Mountain Hiking Line - Guizhou, China (Selected in 2021)
Located in Gaopo Miao Ethnic Township, Huaxi District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, this route is a premium mountain hiking trail in Southwest China released in 2021. Featuring "intertwined plateau grasslands and canyon secrets + immersive Miao cultural experiences," it relies on Gaopo Township’s unique karst mountain landforms and ethnic cultural resources to create multiple differentiated hiking routes, catering to hiking enthusiasts with diverse needs. [详情] -
Shanchuan Trail - Zhejang, China (Selected in 2021)
Positioned as a "paradise on the mountain top," Anji Yunshang Grassland has built the only alpine ski resort with professional advanced ski slopes in East China, as well as a four-season amusement area. With an investment of 6 billion yuan, the project has developed into a cultural and tourism complex consisting of four zones, two corridors, and one town, equipped with top-tier facilities and a professional team. [详情] -
Moganshan Ancient Hiking Trail - Zhejiang, China (Selected in 2021)
Located within Moganshan Mountain Scenic Area, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, this ancient trail is a premium mountain hiking route in the Yangtze River Delta region prominently promoted in 2021. Featuring "gentle and comfortable hiking in bamboo forests + Republican-era cultural experiences," it is hailed as the "top healing hiking destination in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai." [详情]
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Mount Qiyun Xiake Trail - Anhui, China (Selected in 2021)
A classic mountain hiking trail carrying thousands of years of historical memories and literati footprints, the Xu Xiake Ancient Trail on Qiyun Mountain is renowned for being visited twice by the Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake, who documented it in his "Diary of Travels to Baiyue." [详情] -
Tourism Demonstration Site of Qingyuan Chimelong International Mountain quality Hiking Trail - Guangdong, China (Selected in 2021)
Located in Yinzhan Forest Farm, Qingcheng District, Qingyuan City, this demonstration zone is a world-class mountain hiking destination developed by Chimelong Group in response to the "Beautiful Green Guangdong" initiative, integrating ecological protection with cultural and tourism development. [详情]