Nature-based recreation (NBR) is an important cultural ecosystem service providing human well-being from natural environments. As the most concentrated and high-quality wilderness in China, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has unique advantages for NBR. In this study, we designed an integrated nature-based recreation potential index (INRPI) based on four aspects: nature-based recreation resources, landscape attractiveness, recreation comfort and opportunity, and recreation reception ability. A combination of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy evaluation method was adopted to assess the NBR potential in the QTP from 2000 to 2020. The research shows that: (i) The INRPI for the QTP decreases gradually from southeast to northwest and increases slightly from 2000 to 2020. (ii) The INRPI displays a pronounced difference on either side of the Qilian-Gyirong line. The areas with very high and high potentials mainly distributed in the southeast of the line, while areas with very low and low potentials distributed in the northwest. (iii) The construction of protected areas effectively improves NBR potential. Areas of INRPI at diverse levels within protected areas obviously increased in 2020. (iv) Increasing altitude has a notable effect on INRPI, and 3000 m is a critical dividing line for the NBR in the QTP. These findings can contribute to decision-makers in guiding rational use and spatial planning of natural land and promoting sustainable recreational development.

Tourism is an important method for the revitalization and utilization of agricultural cultural heritage, with farmers playing a pivotal role in the development of agricultural heritage tourism (AHT). The implementation of AHT from the lens of farmer participation is essential for fostering the sustainable growth of agricultural cultural heritage. Based on 257 questionnaires of farmers in two villages using Anshan Nanguo pear cultivation systems, this study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the mechanism influencing farmers’ willingness to participate in AHT development. The findings reveal that (1) participation opportunity, participation ability, and identity recognition have significant positive effects on participation in AHT development willingness, while participation motivation has no significant positive effect on participation in AHT development willingness; (2) participation opportunity, participation ability, and identity recognition have significant positive effects on participation motivation; (3) participation motivation has a partial mediating effect among participation opportunity, participation ability, identity recognition, and participation in AHT development willingness. The strategies and recommendations put forth in this article have substantial practical implications for enhancing farmers’ willingness to participate in AHT development. Furthermore, this research contributes to broadening the research perspectives on AHT and promoting the sustainable preservation and tourism utilization of agricultural heritage within community participation frameworks.

Pro-poor tourism is a powerful tool in China’s poverty alleviation strategy, helping the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1, no poverty. Thus, the Chinese experience in tourism poverty reduction could be instructive. Considering the dominant role of the government in PPT, this study examines the government’s PPT scheme within a sustainable livelihood framework, uncovering the usefulness of PPT in poverty alleviation. With thematic analysis, 18 cases are systematically coded, and several findings are discovered. Rural development is co-evolutionary with PPT, while livelihood capitals change correspondingly. Specifically, human capital is mentioned as the top priority, followed by economic capital, institutional capital, social capital, and natural capital. Analysis of the cases indicates that livelihood capital comprises multiple themes, and a variety of livelihood strategies are applied conditionally. Additionally, livelihood outcomes are in accord with the criteria of Beautiful Village, characterized by good quality of life. In summary, the success of the PPT in China is a comprehensive project, contributed to by a government-led model, a well-organized community system, effective community participation, and whole-of-society synergy. The study demonstrates that a paradigm shift has been seen in China’s PPT model and sheds light on tourism development in poverty alleviation globally.