Spatiotemporal Distribution of Water Heritages in the Xishan–Yongding River Cultural Belt

The Xishan–Yongding River cultural belt is a key component of the three major cultural belts of Beijing and its water heritage; as a representative of the intensive distribution of semi-arid climate, analyzing its spatial and temporal distribution characteristics is crucial for the development of systematic conservation strategies. This study is based on a dataset developed from field surveys and historical documentation and has been spatially analyzed using visual analytical methods and using a Geographic Information System (GIS). In this study, kernel density estimation was used to identify areas of high density, standard elliptic deviation was used to assess the distribution of water heritage sites over time, and the mean nearest neighbor index was used to determine the spatial clustering pattern of these sites. Regarding type and quantity, water heritage in the cultural belt is diverse, with non-water heritage sites, such as temples and inscriptions, being the most prevalent. In terms of temporal distribution, water heritage spans a long period, with the largest number dating to the Qing Dynasty. The centers of distribution across different periods exhibit a trend from south to north and from mountainous regions to plains, exhibiting a gradual concentration. Spatially, water heritage within the cultural belt follows a “multi-core, contiguous distribution” pattern, with three high-density zones, two medium-density zones, and six low-density zones. The distribution of water heritage is influenced by a combination of natural factors, such as river systems, settlements, elevation, and slope, alongside human factors, including historical culture and the political environment. The findings of this research offer a detailed analysis of the regional characteristics and underlying mechanisms of the temporal and spatial distribution of water heritage within the Xishan–Yongding River cultural belt.