Study on the Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Intangible Cultural Heritage Along the Great Wall of Hebei Province

Yu Chen, Jingwen Zhao, Xinyi Zhao, Zeyi Wang, Zhe Xu, Shilin Li and Weishang Li ()
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Yu Chen: School of Arts and Design, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
Jingwen Zhao: School of Arts and Design, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
Xinyi Zhao: School of Arts and Design, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
Zeyi Wang: School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
Zhe Xu: School of Arts and Design, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
Shilin Li: School of Arts and Design, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
Weishang Li: School of Arts and Design, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: The development of the Great Wall National Cultural Park has unleashed the potential for integrating cultural and tourism development along the Great Wall. However, ICH along the Great Wall, a key part of its cultural identity, suffers from low recognition and a mismatch between protection and development efforts. This study analyzes provincial-level and above ICH along Hebei’s Great Wall using geospatial tools and the Geographical Detector model to explore distribution patterns and influencing factors, while Geographically Weighted Regression is utilized to reveal spatial heterogeneity. It tests two hypotheses: (H1) ICH shows a clustered pattern; (H2) economic factors have a greater impact than cultural and natural factors. Key findings show: (1) ICH distribution is numerically balanced north–south but spatially uneven, with dense clusters in the south and scattered patterns in the north. (2) ICH and crafts cluster significantly, while dramatic balladry spreads evenly, and other categories are random. (3) Average annual temperature and precipitation have the greatest impact on ICH distribution, with the factors ranked as: natural > cultural > economic. Multidimensional interactions show significant enhancement effects. (4) Influencing factors vary spatially. Population density, transport, temperature, and traditional villages are positively related to ICH. Elevation, precipitation, tourism, and cultural institutions show mixed effects across regions. These insights support targeted ICH conservation and sustainable development in the Great Wall cultural corridor.

Keywords: intangible cultural heritage; the Great Wall; spatial distribution; kernel density analysis; GeoDetector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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