Changzhou is a city situated in the eastern region of China and serves as a pivotal juncture of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, the Grand Canal of China. The study employed spatial syntax foreground and background network analysis to examine the cultural landscape characteristics and determinants of the urban spatial context in Changzhou, influenced by the Grand Canal, with a focus on rivers, streets, and social networks. The findings revealed that: (1) Foreground network construction: serving as the fundamental framework of urban space, street and river networks exhibited distinct functionalities in terms of structural configuration, functional organization, and potential impact. (2) Background network construction: social networks identified through spatial structure recognition demonstrated sustainable characteristics, as their layout was not directly correlated to the foreground network but contributed to the identification of the identity and the traits of social networks. (3) Dual network adaptability to contemporary urban space: it was imperative to redefine the role of river networks to augment their potential impact in shaping scenic leisure systems. This study provides novel insights into preserving and acknowledging the urban spatial context while offering valuable references for safeguarding regional cultural landscapes.

Cherry blossom scenic spots attract numerous tourists during peak flowering seasons, significantly contributing to outdoor recreation, public health, and tourism development. Existing research has primarily focused on species classification, flowering period regulation, and localized landscape design. However, systematic studies examining these scenic spots’ temporal and spatial patterns remain scarce, hindering effective planning across varying latitudes and urban contexts. This study aims to fill this research gap by conducting spatiotemporal distribution analysis using ArcGIS, in conjunction with the geographical detector and sentiment perception measurement methods. Key findings from the analysis of 253 cherry blossom scenic spots in China include: (1) These spots are found in all provincial-level regions except Qinghai and Hainan, with Hubei Province having the highest concentration. The distribution has shifted from a discrete pattern to a clustering trend in high-density areas of North, East, and Central China, particularly Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan. (2) Main applications include parks, campuses, mountains, temples, and roadways, predominantly located in parks. (3) Variations in cherry blossom species and flowering periods are notable across regions, with diverse species in North, East, and Central China. (4) Economic status primarily influences distribution, alongside natural geographic and demographic factors, whose interactions enhance explanatory power. (5) The 10 most reviewed spots show positive visitor perceptions, with distinct emotional responses by region. (6) The layout and evolution of these spots result from both natural and socio-cultural influences. These findings support informed planning and development strategies for cherry blossom scenic spots in China.

As a significant component of hydraulic cultural heritage within the Grand Canal Cultural Belt, ancient stone bridges serve as vital physical evidence reflecting the evolutionary patterns of water conservancy and settlement spaces in Wuxi. Consequently, understanding their distribution holds critical significance for the holistic protection and revitalized utilization of the heritage. This study investigates 118 ancient stone bridges in Wuxi, China, employing ArcGIS spatial analysis methods, specifically average nearest neighbor, kernel density estimation, and standard deviational ellipse, to examine spatiotemporal characteristics. Additionally, a random forest (RF) model is utilized to quantify the importance of natural environmental factors influencing their distribution. The results reveal the following: (1) Temporally, the distribution transitioned from a random pattern in the Song Dynasty to a highly clustered pattern during the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods. (2) Spatially, the distribution centroid exhibited a distinct southwestward trend, evolving from a dispersed structure into a multi nuclei aggregation model centered on Yixing and Wuxi City. (3) Environmentally, bridges are predominantly located in low-elevation plains, gentle slopes (2° to 5°), and stable zones far from geological hazards. They exhibit a preference for northeast and northwest aspects, with the highest concentration within 100 m of rivers and in paddy or yellow–brown soil regions. (4) The RF model identifies rivers as the absolute dominant factor, followed by aspect, geological hazards, slope, and elevation, while soil factors have the lowest importance. These findings enrich the conservation theory for hydraulic cultural heritage and provide a scientific basis for the risk assessment, hierarchical protection, and integrated tourism planning of ancient stone bridges.