NAC transcription factor is one of the largest transcription factor families in plants, playing a significant role in various life processes such as plant growth and development, physiological metabolism, and stress response. This study firstly cloned the RcNAC83 gene from the Tibetan Rhodiola crenulata. Through bioinformatics and real-time quantitative PCR techniques, the physicochemical properties and expression patterns of this gene were preliminarily understood. Using chromosome walking technology, the promoter sequence was predicted to identify trans-acting elements. Yeast expression vectors were constructed to verify its transcriptional activation activity, and it was ectopically expressed in Salvia miltiorrhiza to analyze the changes in phenotypes and physiological indicators under salt stress. The results showed that the full-length RcNAC83 gene was 918 bp, containing 3 exons, and encoded 248 amino acids. The protein had obvious hydrophilicity and no transmembrane domain. It was subcellularly located in the nucleus and contained multiple phosphorylation sites. The N-terminal of the RcNAC83 gene could be divided into 5 subdomains, among which subdomain D was the NARD region, which had a similar amino acid sequence and conserved domain to the homologous genes, and was closely related to the genus Kalanchoe genes. The promoter sequence was 888 bp and contained multiple trans-acting elements for transcriptional activation, light response, anaerobic induction, plant hormone MeJA, and recognition by MYB, MYC, and WRKY710S genes. The RcNAC83 gene was expressed in 6 tested organs and was induced by various abiotic stresses and plant hormones. This gene had no toxicity to yeast cells and transcriptional activation activity. In overexpressing Salvia miltiorrhiza, the RcNAC83 gene could not affect the growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza, but reduce tolerance to salt stress.