The assessment of historical and cultural cities is one of the tools for the protection and governance of historical and cultural cities. Based on the analysis of the development process, objects, and content of Western heritage and historic city conservation evaluation, and in accordance with China’s policy requirements, propose the construction of an evaluation system that aligns with China’s historic and cultural city conservation framework.Taking a historical and cultural city in the eastern part of a certain country as an example, an assessment practice was carried out: with a systematic thinking approach, an assessment framework was established, and the spectrum of protected objects and the current status of protection and management were sorted out; by integrating multiple value orientations, a multi-subject collaborative governance mechanism was established to expand the connotation of the assessment; the synergy between assessment and planning compilation, as well as protection and management, was strengthened, and a closed-loop management performance assessment mechanism was constructed. This provides practical guidance for optimizing the assessment path of historical and cultural cities and helps to improve the system for the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage.