Abstract:Taking Lushan, China's first World Heritage cultural landscape, as a case study, this paper systematically analyzes the evolution of the recognition of its heritage values, management mechanisms, and conservation strategies. Through literature review and case analysis, the study situates Lushan's conservation practices within the broader theoretical evolution and practical development of cultural landscapes both internationally and domestically. The findings indicate that Lushan's conservation practices have undergone a transition from an early misalignment in heritage value recognition—rooted in the management mindset of scenic and historic areas—toward a holistic and systematic approach centered on human–land interaction. This transformation has been enabled by the reconceptualization of heritage values, the restructuring of management institutions, and the establishment of a tiered governance strategy. The study demonstrates that effective conservation of cultural landscapes depends on clear understanding of their defining heritage values, while the effective management of diverse heritage elements requires coordination across management sectors. The Lushan experience responds to the evolving demands of the heritage conservation field and provides a reference for the protection and management of other large-scale cultural landscapes.