Analysis of the spatial pattern and influencing factors of heritage sites in six provinces and regions in Southwest China based on remote sensing technology

Abstract

The six provinces and regions in southwest China, forming a core area of the nation’ s natural and cultural heritage, provide a critical reference for global cultural tourism development. This study takes Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, Chongqing City, Sichuan Province, Xizang Autonomous Region and some regions in Guangxi as the study areas, and combines remote sensing image interpretation and GIS spatial analysis to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and image factors of the heritage by using kernel density estimation, geographic concentration index, nearest neighbor analysis, Getis-Ord Gi* and other spatial analysis methods. Key findings reveal a significantly uneven core-periphery distribution pattern, with high-density clusters in Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou, a secondary density zone in Tibet and Yunnan, and natural heritage concentrated in eastern mountains versus dispersed cultural sites. Analysis indicates topography drives heritage type differentiation, river networks shape cultural landscapes, and ecosystem diversity underpins heritage preservation, while transportation accessibility promotes agglomeration, economic levels positively correlate with development intensity, and historical continuity shapes spatial forms. Consequently, strategies integrating ecological protection with regulated development, establishing cross-regional collaboration platforms, and optimizing transport services are proposed to support sustainable tourism, safeguard cultural heritage, and foster coordinated regional economic growth.