Camera traps were installed to investigate mammalian and avian species diversity in the Qilian Mountain National Park (Qinghai area), China,from May to September 2017. This study consisted of an intensive survey effort of 12,096 camera days at 154 locations. We collected 9,675 independent photographs representing 23 species of wild mammals belonging to 10 families and 5 orders, 50 species of wild birds belonging to 19 families and 9 orders, and 5 domestic animal species. The five most abundant species were Pseudois nayaur (18.23), Marmota himalayana (15.98), Lepus oiostolus (5.06), Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (3.39) and Ochotona curzoniae (2.49). Among the detected species, 4 are listed as Class I state key protected wild animals in China and 20 as Class II. One species is classified as Critically Endangered by the Red List of China’s Vertebrates, 6 are classified as Endangered, 3 are classified as Vulnerable and 14 are classified as Near Threatened. Seven of the photographed species are endemic to China and include Felis bieti, Gervus albirostris, Cervus wallichii, Procapra picticaudata, Ochotana erythrotis, Crossoptilon auritum and Pseudopodoces humilis. Our results provide a comprehensive baseline of the wildlife present in the Qilian Mountain National Park (Qinghai area) to be used for biodiversity management and conservation purposes.