Spatial pattern and correlation of archaeological sites and cultural tourism resources in Shanxi Province, China

Abstract

Archaeological sites serve as unique spatial carriers that preserve historical memories and cultural heritage, making their protection and the integrated development of cultural tourism critical issues in the field of cultural heritage studies. This study investigates the spatial distribution and correlation between archaeological sites (ASs) and cultural tourism resources (CTRs) in Shanxi Province, using a spatial database of ASs. The findings show that: (1) Shanxi has abundant ASs and CTRs, with ASs concentrated in the southern region. The distribution of CTRs largely mirrors that of ASs. (2) A strong positive correlation exists between ASs and CTRs, particularly with museums. In terms of spatial combinations, ASs show a more pronounced synergy with national key cultural relics protection units. (3) Integration of ASs and CTRs in Shanxi is classified into four types, with the southern region showing the highest integration, designated as the AS-CTR advantage area. Tailored strategies for further integration could be developed based on regional resource advantages, spatial correlations, and integration types.