The aim of this study is to explore how tourists’ perceived authenticity influences their subjective well-being (SWB) in the context of heritage tourism via the mediating role of place attachment and satisfaction. Taking the tourists of the Palace Museum as an example, the results indicate that: (a) authenticity has a significant positive impact on place attachment and satisfaction; (b) place attachment can significantly enhance satisfaction, but different dimensions of place attachment have different effects on SWB; (c) place attachment and satisfaction play mediating roles in the relationship between authenticity and SWB. The conclusion of this study highlights the significance of authenticity in heritage tourism, and further discusses how to promote tourists’ SWB through the perception of authenticity.

Research on the emotional experience offered by dark tourism has usually categorized tourists’ emotional experience into general dimensions, and few studies have investigated a specific emotion. Focusing on the emotional experience of awe in dark tourism, this research aims to examine the relationship between authenticity, awe, national identity, and revisit intention by surveying visitors to the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre in China. Through an analysis of 499 questionnaires via PLS-SEM, the study finds that dark tourist destinations can arouse awe in tourists and that the experience of authenticity is one of the antecedents of this emotion. It also demonstrates that awe has a positive effect on national identity, but its influence on revisit intention is not significant. Moreover, it indicates that the deeper the authentic experience of tourists, the stronger the national identity and revisit intention in the context of dark tourism. Finally, this study recommends that dark sites should utilize a variety of means, such as virtual reality technology, to enhance the perception of authenticity with a view to inspiring awe, so as to have a lasting and profound impact on tourists’ attitudes and behaviours.

Ancient trade routes significantly influenced political structures, cultural exchanges, economic development, and landscape transformations across diverse regions. The Ancient Tea Horse Road, a prominent historical commercial pathway in China, is crucial for ecosystem and cultural heritage conservations. This study uses content and comparative analysis, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, and spatial analysis to examine the spatiotemporal relationships between 13,026 settlement points identified via Google Earth and 445 recorded settlement names within the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The findings indicate that the Ancient Tea Horse Road evolved from a simple linear form to a complex radial network, reflecting its growth from local to broad regional connectivity. Settlements related to administrative, postal, and commercial functions emerged in its vicinity, underscoring the route’s impact on social structures and economic activities. The development of settlements, mainly within a 10 km radius of the route, was closely linked to its expansion, alteration, and decline, offering insights into contemporary settlement distribution patterns. This research not only enhances the understanding of the Ancient Tea Horse Road and its surrounding settlements but also supports the protection of ancient trade routes and their cultural heritage. It contributes to sustainable development by integrating ecological preservation with the safeguarding of ancient trade routes and their cultural legacies.