As a model of the symbiotic wisdom between humans and nature, traditional villages carry rich historical and cultural values in their existence. However, the rapid urbanization process has led to the destruction and even disappearance of many traditional villages, and surviving villages urgently need to cope with the severe challenge of protecting their original ecology and cultural environment. To preserve the heritage of traditional villages, it is necessary to investigate their geographic distribution and influencing factors. We have conducted research and statistics on traditional villages using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis technology (GIS), described in detail the complex interrelationships among natural, social, and cultural variables in the distribution and evolution of villages, and analyzed the relevant influencing factors qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of the research show that (1) in terms of geographical distribution, traditional villages in Guizhou tend to exhibit a high degree of agglomeration and clustering, and their distribution structure is characterized by “small aggregation and scattering, with many cores and few peripheries”. (2) Most traditional villages in Guizhou appeared after the end of the Qing Dynasty. (3) Natural and cultural factors influence the design and layout of traditional settlements, and socioeconomic and historical culture influence the evolution of traditional settlements. These factors also influence the formation of traditional villages and the changes in their geographical distribution. This study provides a scientific basis for the sustainable development of traditional villages in Guizhou Province. It explores a new way to study and protect the spatial patterns of traditional villages.

The Huizhou region is an important area of traditional Chinese culture, and currently, the state of the village’s surroundings in this area is still not perfect. In this study, seven districts (counties) in the Huizhou region were selected for research. The Rural Habitat Environment (RHES) Indicator Program is based on the concept of Socio-Economic-Natural Complex Ecosystems (SENCE) and constructs 18 metrics in three dimensions. Trends and influencing factors were analyzed using entropy weight TOPSIS and a Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) for the years 2013–2022, and spatial and temporal evolution was measured using Geographic Information Systems (GISs). The findings show that the composite index for the Huizhou region grew from 2013 (0.3197) to 2022 (0.6806). Second, the Tunxi District belongs to the high index–high economy category. The Shexian, Xiuning, and Qimen counties belong to the high index–low economy category. Huizhou District and Huangshan District belong to the low index–high economy category. Yixian County belongs to the low index–low economy category. Third, all districts (counties) show an upward trend, and Huangshan District has the best RHES condition. Shexian County ranks relatively low in the comprehensive index.

This study scrutinized the Xin’an River Basin from 2017 to 2022, employing refined methodologies such as updated ecosystem service value tables, welfare assessment systems encompassing material, health, and public well-being metrics, human-environment coupling models, and advanced remote sensing technologies for land use patterns and satellite data analysis. Key findings revealed that: (1) The valuation of ecosystem services exhibited periods of equilibrium followed by slight declines, with a spatial distribution pattern described as ‘rising at the periphery, diminishing at the core’, culminating in a modest overall depreciation. (2) Human settlement welfare demonstrated a distinct geographical trend of ‘enhancement in the southeast, reduction in the northwest’, highlighting exceptional welfare in Jiande City, Shexian, and Chun’an County. (3) Over the observation period, the dynamic interplay between ecosystem services and human settlement welfare fluctuated, reaching its zenith in 2018 and its nadir in 2020. This interaction displayed a spatial gradient of ‘excellent in the southeast, subpar in the central regions, and favorable in the northwest’, indicating an overall moderate level of integration. The results underscore a mutual adjustment and a clear convergence towards minimal functional discord between the two systems.