Abstract: The 1950s and 1960s marked the initial and foundational stage of nature reserve construction in China. In 1956, the establishment of the Dinghu Mountain Nature Reserve signaled the institutionalization of nature conservation efforts in China, representing a crucial starting point in exploring a conservation path with Chinese characteristics. Based on a systematic review of historical materials and literature, this paper examines the origins, characteristics, experiences, and lessons of nature reserve construction during this period. The findings reveal that: (1) The establishment of nature reserves was driven by both the awakening of conservation awareness within the scientific community and national development needs. This process reflects the shift in the Party′s understanding of the relationship between humans and nature from "conquering nature" to "respecting nature". This demonstrates a profound grasp of the dialectical relationship between ecological protection and economic development, and facilitates the transition of ecological conservation concepts from scientific cognition to institutionalized practice. (2) Early practices established the functional orientation centered on "resource conservation" and "scientific research, " forming a management model characterized by "departmental leadership, scientific research collaboration, and top-down administration". Spatial planning adhered to site selection principles based on ecological rarity and scientific representativeness. (3) The pioneering efforts of this period achieved a historic breakthrough in establishing China′s nature reserve system from scratch, laying a basic framework. However, historical limitations were also exposed, such as lagging institutional development and narrow coverage of conservation types. A systematic summary of the experiences and insights from this foundational stage contributes to a deeper understanding of the logic behind the formation of nature conservation pathways in New China. It also provides historical references and practical guidance for improving the nature reserve system, innovating ecological governance models, and advancing the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the era of ecological civilization.