Founding nature reserve is the most important method to conserve biodiversity. China has established 2531 nature reserves by the end of 2007. The total area of those reserves is 15.2×105km2, which makes up 15% of the land cover of China. The proportion of protected areas has already exceeded the level of developed countries in the world. Moreover, the number of nature reserves is still increasing in China. The development of nature reserves is affected by various factors such as natural and social economic conditions. Nowadays, there is a distinct difference in regional distribution of nature reserves in China. It is worth exploring what the factors are and how they affect the distribution. In this paper, we collected data about economy, population, city, transportation, natural resources of each province in China, which may affect the development of nature reserves. Based on a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature and a series of experts′ advice, the influencing factors and assessing indicators of the reserve′s regional distribution characteristics were preliminarily determined. After analyzing with principal component analysis and linear regression analysis, we found that the effect primarily comes from the urban development factors, the resources status factors and the rural development factors. Effect from the rural development factors on the reserve number is significant, so are the resources status factors and the urban development factors on the area and the coverage rate of nature reserves. At present, the more natural resources one province has, the larger area of nature reserves it holds. As the urban and rural development factors of one province increase, they will promote the establishment of more nature reserves, but may result in its reduction in the total area of nature reserves. Some suggestions are as follows: (1) As the rapid development of China′s economy, economic activities become more and more frequent. Coupled with population growth, the conflict for survival of human and wildlife will be much sharper, and the area of nature reserves will be further squeezed. The number of nature reserves which needs to adjust to their area will inevitably increase. It should fully take the characteristics of the main protected object into account and strengthen eco-environmental impact assessment. (2) Economic development will bring more investment to nature reserves, and improve public awareness of environmental protection. Thus it will promote the establishment of more nature reserves. Therefore, leak searching and vacancy filling will be the focus on the construction of nature reserves in future. It should be proposed to complete the countrywide biodiversity conservation gap analysis as soon as possible. And through establishment, renovation, and expansion of nature reserves as well as other measures, it will form a rational layout and effective protection system of nature reserves which cover these conservation gaps of species and ecosystem types. (3) In order to improve the network of nature reserves, establishing small nature reserves becomes the trend. Establishing small nature reserves should be encouraged in appropriate regions. It will play an important role in constructing ecological corridors and filling mosaics, as well as conserving more wildlife.