MOUNTAINS OF POTENTIAL: UNVEILING THE SPATIAL DYNAMICS AND KEY INFLUENCES OF MOUNTAIN-TYPE SCENIC SPOTS IN CHINA

This study investigates the spatial distribution patterns and key influencing factors of 4A and 5A-grade mountain scenic spots across China's 31 provinces, utilizing a 2022 dataset.Firstly, a comprehensive theoretical framework was developed to quantitatively analyze the distribution patterns, concentration, equilibrium, and density of these scenic spots, employing advanced geospatial analysis techniques.Then, a geographic detector model was applied to identify dominant influencing factors, incorporating economic, social, transportation, and geographical variables.The findings reveal a highly clustered yet spatially uneven distribution of high-grade mountain scenic spots, with significant regional disparities.Key determinants include average annual precipitation, regional elevation, and transportation infrastructure development.Notably, the interaction between precipitation levels and transportation networks emerges as a critical factor, enhancing both accessibility and tourism appeal.These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing the spatial planning of mountain tourism destinations and fostering sustainable development strategies.