This paper discusses the ideas that led to the realization of a bilateral Chinese-Croatian project focused on the soundscape of cultural and natural heritage sites in China and Croatia, and presents the research methodology utilized during the project. The main motivation for the research are the notable geographical, historical and cultural differences between the two countries. The research goal is to investigate whether the soundscape perception is influenced by these differences, in order to understand the importance of sounds in preserving the authenticity of a heritage place and to protect it from deterioration. The soundscape approach is used in the research as an investigative tool. Extensive listening tests will be made, in which the listeners shall evaluate the soundscapes of similar environments in both countries. The aim is to determine how people react to various sounds of their own heritage, and, more importantly, how they react to the heritage sounds from another country. The sound samples, already recorded in Ambisonics and binaural format at the chosen heritage sites, will be reproduced to the listeners. In addition to audio recordings, video stimuli taken at the heritage sites shall provide a realistic listening experience for the listeners. To compare the information obtained from the laboratory listening tests with the data already obtained in field surveys, the questionnaires given to the visitors of the heritage sites during in-situ examinations shall also be used in laboratory listening tests.