Offering the win-win solutions between ecological conservation and livelihood development: National parks in Qinghai, China

•Protecting nature and serving people are fundamental principles of national parks.•Strict protection of national parks limits the development of local people.•Effective solutions can both protecting nature and development livelihood. National parks as protected areas have been on the spotlight because they are essential in achieving ecological civilization in China. Despite the profound achievements of national parks to conserve nature, the benefits of national parks for local residents remain lacking. Under the theory of harmonious coexistence between human and nature, this study focused on the development of local people's livelihood in Qinghai's national parks. We systematically explored the establishment of the national parks in Qinghai Province, analyzed the current problems, and provided the main measures for developing people's livelihood in protected areas in Qinghai. This study put forward the viewpoint that national parks should set a long-term goal, and gradually advance based on the environmental conditions and appropriately prioritize the improvement of local people's wellbeing in the future. [Display omitted]