Objectives It is an effort direction and strategic approach to establish a reasonable layout for a Sino-Russian cross-border protected area system for Amur tigers. The system is designed to maintain the overall stability of the Amur tiger population and restore the Amur tiger population in China.

Methods Our study, based on an extensive review of historical data, aimed to elucidate the distribution characteristics and development of Amur tiger nature reserves in China and Russia. Additionally, we sought to analyze the recent patterns of cross-border migration of Aumr tigers in Sino-Russian border regions. Our findings have led us to propose a series of recommendations for the establishment of a collaborative platform for the management of Sino-Russian Amur tiger nature reserves.

Results After a hundred years of protection of Siberian tigers in Russia, a highly developed natural protected area system has been established in the Far East. This system encompassed a range of natural protected area types, including nature reserves and national parks, as well as sanctuaries and ecological corridors, which collectively contribute to the conservation of the region’s biodiversity. Since the establishment of the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, the protection of the Northeast Tiger has gradually stepped out of the trough and entered a critical period. The increase in its number and the expansion of its distribution area have put forward new requirements for nature reserves. The frequent gathering, infiltration, and dispersal activities of the Amur tiger in the Sino-Russia border area have alleviated the regional restrictions on the expansion of the Amur tiger population in Russia. Furthermore, these activities have provided a stable breeding source for China’s northeast tiger, which has enabled the species to overcome the crisis and recover its population.

Conclusions In the context of China-Russia collaboration on Amur tiger conservation, the restoration and protection of the ecological environment along the migration route of Amur tiger in the border region represented a pivotal focus. It is necessary to optimize the resources of nature reserves in the border area of the two countries, prioritize the role of ecological corridors, promote the integration construction process of cross-border nature protected areas for Amur tigers, and strive for a harmonious coexistence between humans and tigers.