Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Historic Buildings in the Mount Tai Region: Implications for Tourism Planning

Historic buildings on Mount Tai, China's first UNESCO World Heritage Mixed Property site, exhibit pronounced spatiotemporal distribution patterns shaped by natural and social factors. Research analyzing 451 protected structures reveals an I-shaped temporal fluctuation, with ancient architecture and sites forming the core (60% of total), influenced by preservation conditions, stability, and heritage designation preferences. Spatially, a clustering pattern emerges, shifting from southwest to northeast, transitioning from river basin to mountain belt concentration over 40 kilometers. These patterns stem from hydrological and topographical constraints in early stages, while later periods show stronger associations with fengshan ritual culture, religious activities, economic development, and governance. The study proposes a strategic spatial framework—one cultural pilgrimage ring and four thematic corridors—to guide sustainable tourism planning and heritage conservation, offering actionable insights for Mount Tai's cultural dissemination.

Qiao, Q., Tian, Z., Gu, X., & Chen, J. (2026). Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Historic Buildings in the Mount Tai Region: Implications for Tourism Planning. Buildings, 16(9), 1795. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091795