We used infrared camera-trapping to systematically survey the large terrestrial animals in Gutianshan National Nature Reserve, from May 2014 to April 2015. A total of 244 locations were surveyed and 67,086 pictures and videos of mammal and pheasant species were taken, resulting in 16,129 independent detections. We identified 21 wild mammal species belonging to 6 orders and 16 families, 5 pheasant species, and 4 domestic animal species. Another 52 bird species other than pheasants were recorded, belonging to 6 orders and 15 families. We recorded two class-I national protected animals (Muntiacus crinifrons and Syrmaticus ellioti) and seven class-II national protected animals, accounting for 35 % of the total recorded species. There were two species listed by IUCN global red list as Vulnerable and five as Near Threatened, accounting for 27 % of the total recorded species. One species was listed as Endangered, seven as Vulnerable and five as Near Threatened by the Redlist of China’s Biodiversity, accounting for 50 % of the total recorded species. Muntiacus reevesi was the most common mammal species and Lophurany cthemera was the most common pheasant species. The results show that a relative high proportion of large mammal and pheasant species were threatened in Gutianshan reserve. The camera-trapping data collected throughout the reserve during a one-year period provided comprehensive information on species composition and their relative abundance of the large terrestrial animals in Gutianshan, which served as important baseline for subsequent research and management of the reserve.