To strengthen the legal protection of cultural heritage, the Hunan provincial government has issued a number of regulations and laws.

In 2005, the government issued guidance for strengthening the protection of intangible cultural heritage. The following year, a regulation protecting folk cultural heritage in western Hunan, which is home to most of Hunan's ethnic groups, was formally implemented.

The government has also undertaken public education in heritage protection and stepped up efforts to train talent. As well, it has organized widespread research into intangible cultural heritage across the province.