Objective The collaborative development between national parks and adjacent communities can effectively mitigate the risk of "isolation" and alleviate the contradiction between ecological conservation and local community development. Through a comparative analysis of practices in China and France, this study aims to identify an effective collaborative governance model that facilitates harmonious coexistence between humans and nature within national parks.

Methods The research employed case study analysis and comparative methodologies, focusing on the Protection and Development Belt around Wuyishan National Park in China and the adhesion area of French national parks. It compares the two approaches across dimensions including development concepts, functional zoning, management systems, and operational models, thereby elucidating their respective strategies and focal emphases.

Results The Protection and Development Belt around Wuyishan National Park and the adhesion area of French national parks exhibited substantial congruence in their underlying philosophies regarding conservation and development, franchise operations, and community participation. However, they diverged in terms of boundary delineation mechanisms, concentric spatial planning layouts, and approaches to brand development and promotion.

Conclusions As a typical example of successful collaboration between national park conservation and the development of surrounding communities, the Protection and Development Belt around Wuyishan National Park offered valuable reference for the construction of national parks both domestically and internationally. In the future, it is necessary to break through the boundaries of national parks and administrative barriers, achieve comprehensive internal and external coordination, and strengthen brand advantages to promote the high-quality development of China's national park industry.