The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) approved Huangshan appearing in the "global destination for sustainable tourism standard experimental zone". Huangshan Mountain is the only destination that GSTC selected from the Asia-Pacific area.

"Global destination for sustainable tourism standards" were established by the GSTC in March 2011, which selected five different regions of different types worldwide as experimental areas. The first experimental area were represented by the Republic of Costa Rica, Teton County, Wyoming, USA (Yellowstone National Park and Grant Teton National Park are both in Teton County), Mexico World Biosphere Reserve, and Barcelona, Spain.

As a typical representative of a scenic mountain in the country, Huangshan Mountain is listed as a World Natural Geological Park, Cultural Heritage Park and Geopark. In October 2010, the Huangshan Scenic Area joined the GSTC, as the first member from China and the East Asian region.

According to reports, after Huangshan was selected,, local officials plan to innovate a sustainable management system, adhere to effective planning for sustainable development. Huangshan can promote economic efficiency and social progress, while protecting a natural heritage and minimize the negative impact of tourism on the environment.