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NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors regulate plant growth and development and response to various stresses. However, there is still limited insight into the NAC family in <i>Chimonanthus praecox</i>. This study performed a genome-wide characterization of the NAC transcription factor family members in <i>C. praecox</i>. A total of 105 NAC family members were identified from the <i>C. praecox</i> genome. The phylogenetic tree categorized the CpNACs into nine groups and the accuracy of this classification was confirmed by the analysis results of conserved motifs, conserved domain, and gene structure. <i>Cis</i>-acting element analysis revealed that the promoters of <i>CpNACs</i> were abundant in elements responsive to various hormones and stresses, implying the functional diversity and complexity of <i>CpNACs</i>. Furthermore, we investigated the function of the <i>CpNAC30</i>. The expression level of <i>CpNAC30</i> could be significantly induced by abiotic stress and the <i>CpNAC30</i> was the highest expressed in mature leaves of <i>C. praecox</i>. Overexpression of <i>CpNAC30</i> reduced salt stress tolerance of transgenic <i>Arabidopsis</i>. Nevertheless, the drought stress tolerance of transgenic plants was enhanced. This study lays a foundation for further understanding the function of <i>CpNACs</i> genes and provides insights for abiotic stress tolerance breeding of <i>C. praecox</i> and other woody plants.