Spatial correlation between traditional villages and religious cultural heritage in the Hehuang region, Northwest China

As a typical religious cultural heritage, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Hehuang region of northwest China have strong connections with surrounding villages that practice Tibetan Buddhism. This article investigates the spatial distribution correlation between the two entities using methods such as kernel density, spatial quantity relationship model, gravity center model, and qualitative description. It analyzes the relationship between Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and traditional Tibetan villages at three levels: macro, meso, and micro, exploring the spatial correlation and influence factors. The study results are as follows: Firstly, the spatial distribution of traditional villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Hehuang region exhibits a positive correlation with a moderate spatial correlation. Secondly, the distribution of traditional villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Hehuang region demonstrates a high spatial balance. Yet, there are instances where certain counties have an abundance of monasteries but lack traditional villages, particularly in Minhe County, Guide County, Hualong County, and Ledu County. Various factors such as economic, policy, and cultural integration contribute to this phenomenon. Thirdly, the location relationship between traditional villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Hehuang region can be categorized into three types: Villages separated from Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in villages, and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries near villages. Finally, it is proposed to protect traditional villages in the area based on the principle of protecting cultural diversity. To safeguard Chinese traditional villages in the future, it is essential to comprehensively analyze the spatial relationship between villages and religious architectural heritage, and prioritize the preservation of significant villages located within the influence zone of these religious architectural heritage by incorporating them into the list of protected traditional villages. This study aims to enhance theoretical research on traditional villages in ethnic minority regions and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive protection and coordinated utilization of traditional villages and religious architectural heritage in the Hehuang region and other ethnic regions.