Abstract: "Tianchuang" ("management exclusion zone") is a spatial planning approach developed during the evolution of China′s national parks. It aims to harmonize ecological conservation, local development, and the complex needs of diverse stakeholders. As the integration and optimization of protected areas progress, the number of "Tianchuang" within national parks has increased, highlighting management challenges. This paper systematically examines the foundational aspects and current practices in managing "Tianchuang" within national parks. It identifies three primary dilemmas faced by these unique enclaves within the geographical boundaries of national parks: institutional voids, imbalanced responsibilities and powers, and insufficient regulatory constraints. These issues place additional pressure on achieving ecological conservation goals. In particular, problematic is the ambiguity in the division of responsibilities between central and local governments and the absence of binding regulatory guidelines, which expose significant flaws in the management mechanisms. To address these concerns, this study proposes several policy recommendations. These include clarifying the functional roles and legal status of "Tianchuang", granting temporary management authority to national park administrations, and incorporating the outcomes of "Tianchuang" governance into the performance evaluation system for national parks. These measures aim to advance this uniquely Chinese spatial governance model towards scientific, standardized, and sustainable development while promoting further integration and optimization of protected areas under the framework of national parks.