Spatial Distribution and Tourism Potential of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Historic and Cultural Cities—A Case Study of Anhui Province, China

Anhui Province in China possesses abundant and varied resources of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and historic cultural cities (HCCs). Investigating their spatial distribution characteristics and synergistic development mechanisms holds significant importance for heritage conservation and sustainable development. This study employs GIS technology to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of two categories of heritage in Anhui Province during 2024, constructing an interactive matrix model between them. This provides both theoretical foundations and practical pathways for highlighting the contemporary value of intangible cultural heritage and fostering its innovative conservation and development. The findings indicate the following: (1) Regarding the structural attributes of the quantity and categories of ICH in Anhui Province, traditional craftsmanship and traditional drama account for the highest proportion of national-level ICH. Provincial-level ICH is dominated by traditional craftsmanship, and Quyi accounts for the lowest proportion at all levels. The distribution of tourism resources shows obvious regional differences, with Huangshan City and Hefei City being rich in resources, and areas such as Huaibei City being relatively poorer. (2) The spatial distribution shows a regular pattern, with national-level ICH randomly distributed and provincial-level ICH showing aggregation characteristics; HCC resources are randomly distributed, and there is a significant positive spatial correlation with ICH resources. (3) The construction of the “intangible cultural heritage tourism–historical and cultural city” matrix reveals four distinct categories of historical and cultural cities within Anhui Province: “high-potential ICH tourism—high-potential HCC”, “high-potential ICH tourism—low-potential HCC”, “low-potential ICH tourism—high-potential HCC”, and “low-potential ICH tourism—low-potential HCC”. These findings will assist cities in Anhui Province in formulating culture and tourist policies to enhance the regional tourism economy, informed by local resource circumstances and development methods.