Research on Optimization of Tourism Spatial Structure of Linear Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal

Linear cultural heritage poses significant challenges in tourism development, primarily due to the complexities involved in implementing scientific zoning and differentiated management strategies. Systematic optimization of its tourism spatial structure has thus become crucial for achieving sustainable utilization. This study adopts a case study approach based on deductive reasoning to examine the morphological characteristics and evolutionary patterns of the tourism space along linear cultural heritage. Taking the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal as an example, it proposes a targeted optimization pathway from a spatial positioning perspective. The findings indicate that the tourism value of linear cultural heritage exhibits a “vine-shaped structure” spatially, and the development process of the tourism space structure follows the “growth pole” evolution law. Moreover, spatial optimization can be achieved through the dual dimensions of spatial form and utilization intensity. Based on this pathway, a three-level tourism zone system is constructed for the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal: the primary tourism zone, located in southern sections, such as Yangzhou and Hangzhou, serves as leading regions that play a pivotal and driving role; the secondary tourism zone, encompassing Beijing, Tianjin, Langfang, and Cangzhou, requires focused enhancement and functional upgrading; and the tertiary tourism zone, mainly including Shandong Province and Xuzhou, Suqian, in Jiangsu Province, necessitate comprehensive and integrated development to achieve overall improvement. This classification not only facilitates coordinated tourism development along the entire canal from a holistic perspective but also provides a basis for formulating targeted strategies for segments with varying tourism values and utilization intensities.