An econometrical model is proposed to analyze the relationship between protected area and economic and population growth in China. The results show that the relationship meets the hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). The transition period is when GDP per capita is located between 25 000 and 32 000 RMB. Five regions

Beijing

Tianjin

Shanghai

Zhejiang Province and Jiansu Province have gone beyond the transition period. Guangdong

Shangdong

Liaoning

Inner Mongolia and Fujian are within the transition period. The areas of their natural conservation areas Gansu

Sichuan

Qinghai and Jilin Provinces are substantial whereas natural conservation areas in Hainan and Guizhou are relatively small although they all have not entered into the transition period.