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Journal of Resources and Ecology >

2025 , Vol. 16 >Issue 2: 535 - 545

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2025.02.021

Ecotourism

Models and Dynamic Mechanisms of Integrated Development of Regional Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism: The Case of Hulunbuir City

  • WANG Jingxuan , 1 ,
  • LIU Limei , 1, * ,
  • LIU Hui 1 ,
  • TANG Chengcai 2, 3 ,
  • LV Jun 1
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  • 1. School of Tourism, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China
  • 2. School of Tourism Sciences, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing 100024, China
  • 3. Research Center of Beijing Tourism Development, Beijing 100024, China
* LIU Limei, E-mail:

WANG Jingxuan, E-mail:

Received date: 2024-02-20

  Accepted date: 2024-07-10

  Online published: 2025-03-28

Supported by

The National Social Science Fund of China(19XMZ074)

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Abstract

The integration of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and tourism is a vital component of the holistic development of culture and tourism. This study examines the spatial distribution characteristics and tourism integration development models of Hulunbuir City through a spatial geography lens, employing nearest neighbor index and kernel density analysis. The results indicate the following: (1) Arts and crafts, as well as performing arts ICH resources, play a dominant role and are of a higher level, exhibiting a distinct agglomeration pattern centered around the main core area, sub-core area, and marginal area, which reflect the current distribution status. (2) Based on these findings, a spatial integration and optimization model is proposed, initially centered on the core area of ICH resources. Subsequently, a characteristic resource culture and tourism integration model is developed from three perspectives: resource-driven penetrative integration, product-driven restructured integration, and market-driven extension integration. (3) This study argues that the dynamic system driving the integrated development of ICH and tourism consists of three key subsystems: thrust, tension, and support. Their interactions constitute the dynamic mechanism underlying integrated development. Ultimately, this study provides a rational framework for the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage, thereby broadening the scope of cultural heritage studies.

Key words： intangible cultural heritage; integrated development of culture and tourism; development model; digital cultural tourism; Hulunbuir City

Cite this article

WANG Jingxuan , LIU Limei , LIU Hui , TANG Chengcai , LV Jun . Models and Dynamic Mechanisms of Integrated Development of Regional Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism: The Case of Hulunbuir City[J]. Journal of Resources and Ecology, 2025 , 16(2) : 535 -545 . DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2025.02.021

1 Introduction

In recent years, with the introduction of the integrated development strategy for culture and tourism, intangible cultural heritage (ICH), as a significant manifestation of a region’s historical and cultural legacy, has become a crucial starting point and an effective pathway for the integrated development of these sectors. In February 2023, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China issued the Notice on Promoting the Deep Integration and Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism, emphasizing that the profound integration of ICH with the tourism industry has become a key direction for tourism development. From a practical perspective, ICH tourism is facilitating effective linkages and promoting the comprehensive upgrading of the cultural tourism market. However, in terms of the quantity of ICH resources and related tourism activities, the actual benefits of this integration remain limited. Challenges such as the fragmentation of ICH living spaces (Zhang et al., 2024), a lack of distinctive regional characteristics (Meng et al., 2024), and a singular approach to integration (Fan et al., 2024) have emerged. As the core of ICH tourism, the spatial distribution pattern of ICH resources determines the regional structure and scale of the integrated development of culture and tourism. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of ICH resources to further explore effective integration models and dynamic mechanisms for the development of culture and tourism in ICH-rich areas. Addressing this issue is of critical importance for advancing the integrated development strategy.
The integration of ICH and tourism has emerged as a significant approach to revitalizing ICH, attracting considerable scholarly attention. Early research in this area primarily focused on the authenticity of ICH tourism (Chhabra, 2019; Park et al., 2019), community engagement (Arokiasamy, 2012; Rasoolimanesh et al., 2017), sustainable development (Kim et al., 2019; Tan et al., 2020), tourism value analysis of tourism value (Zhu et al., 2015; Su et al., 2020; Lan et al., 2021), and the dual aspects of tourism development and preservation (Dong and Ding, 2019). These studies predominantly adopted frameworks from folklore, cultural studies, and industrial economics. In recent years, the scope of research has broadened to encompass geographical perspectives, with scholars utilizing theories and methodologies such as core-edge theory, point-axis system theory, and tourism system models to explore the establishment of rational spatial patterns (Meng, 2020; Zhou and Yang, 2021). Some researchers argue that spatial analysis is a critical research direction for assessing the integrated development of ICH and tourism (Feizizadeh et al., 2023). Studies on the spatial allocation of ICH resources generally focus on distribution characteristics, influencing factors (Wang et al., 2019), tourism utilization (Wang et al., 2017; Katelieva et al., 2020), and tourism responses (Li et al., 2021; Chen et al., 2023). Methodologies employed include the nearest neighbor index, Gini coefficient, standard deviation ellipse, and hotspot analysis (Li and Wang, 2022; Zhang et al., 2022; Chang et al., 2023). Many of these investigations utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess the spatial distribution attributes of ICH resources and examine the impact of geographical, cultural, and economic factors on their distribution. A few studies propose development strategies from a tourism development perspective. Currently, there is a scarcity of research on integrated development models for culture and tourism, with existing studies largely offering qualitative analyses of theoretical and practical aspects. Most research has condensed integration models from the perspectives of integration outcomes (Cai and Fang, 2016), integration pathways (Dong and Ding, 2019), and integration strategies (Hao et al., 2018). Scholars emphasize the fundamental conditions and dynamic systems of integrated development, suggesting that comprehensive integration of ICH and tourism can be achieved through governmental support, market demand, industrial growth, and digital protection (Marques and Borba, 2017; Tang et al., 2023b; Tang, 2024). However, research on the integrated development model and dynamic mechanism of ICH and tourism, grounded in spatial patterns, remains a niche area within academia. In conclusion, while previous studies have made significant progress in examining the integration of ICH and tourism, certain limitations persist. Primarily, existing research tends to analyze the current state of ICH and its interaction with tourism from a macroscopic perspective, overlooking the exploration of integration models and dynamic mechanisms at a micro-level. Additionally, there is a lack of studies that investigate the integration of ICH tourism development based on the spatial characteristics of ICH, thereby overlooking the systemic integration of ICH resources from a tourism perspective. Lastly, while research has predominantly focused on national and provincial contexts, there is a need for theoretical and empirical investigations into the integration of ICH and tourism at border regions and municipal scales.
In light of these considerations, this study builds upon existing research to elucidate the morphological disparities in the spatial distribution of ICH resources in Hulunbuir City through GIS spatial analysis methods. It identifies the core areas of resource concentration and proposes a cultural and tourism integration development model and dynamic mechanism that align with regional characteristics. The study aims to provide a spatial decision-making framework and innovative development concepts for the integrated advancement of ICH resources and tourism in Hulunbuir City.
Figure 1 Location of the research area

2 Research methods and data sources

2.1 Overview of the research area

Hulunbuir City is located in the northeastern region of Inner Mongolia, bordering Heilongjiang Province, Mongolia, and Russia. As the largest prefecture-level city in China, it serves as a key convergence point for China, Mongolia, and Russia (Figure 1). Historically, Hulunbuir has been a cradle for various ethnic minorities and nomadic groups in northern China. The city is home to 38 distinct ethnic groups, including Mongolian, Ewenki, Oroqen, Daur, and Russian communities, reflecting its diverse and rich ICH resources. With three autonomous banners, 14 ethnic townships, and 231 small- population ethnic villages, Hulunbuir possesses unique advantages for the development of ICH tourism. Leveraging its distinctive cultural and geographical resources in the border regions, as well as its abundant ecological landscapes, diverse forests, grasslands, and agricultural heritage, the city continues to innovate new forms of tourism. This strategic approach has contributed to high-quality tourism development and fostered cross-cultural exchanges among various ethnic groups. However, the challenge lies in effectively harnessing and revitalizing these valuable ICH resources within the city’s development framework. This issue requires urgent attention, as Hulunbuir seeks to balance the preservation of its regional characteristics with the optimal utilization of its abundant resources through the integration of ICH and tourism. The city’s unique characteristics and resource richness make it an ideal case study for exploring an integrated development model for ICH and tourism. Such a model could serve as a blueprint for similar regions seeking to harmonize cultural preservation with sustainable economic development.

2.2 Research methods

2.2.1 The nearest index

The nearest index can be used to determine the spatial distribution pattern of point elements by calculating the ratio of the actual nearest distance to the theoretical nearest distance of each ICH resource. The calculation formula is as follows:
$R=\frac{\overline{{{r}_{1}}}}{\overline{{{r}_{E}}}},\begin{matrix} {} & {} \\\end{matrix}\overline{{{r}_{E}}}=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{n/A}}$
where $\overline{{{r}_{1}}}$ represents the actual closest distance in the spatial distribution of ICH resources; $\overline{{{r}_{E}}}$ represents the theoretical closest distance; n represents the number of ICH resources in Hulunbuir City; A represents the area of Hulunbuir City; and R is the closest index of ICH resources. When R>1, it indicates that the ICH resources in Hulunbeier tend to be evenly distributed; when R<1, it indicates that the ICH resources in Hulunbeier tend to be clustered distributed; when R=1, it indicates that the ICH resources in Hulunbeier tend to be randomly distributed

2.2.2 Gini coefficient

The Gini coefficient can be applied in geography to analyze the degree of dispersion in spatial distribution and to assess the equilibrium of spatial distribution. The calculation formula is as follows:
${{G}_{ini}}=\frac{\sum\limits_{i=1}^{N}{{{P}_{i}}\text{ln}{{P}_{i}}}}{\text{ln}N}C=1-{{G}_{ini}}$
where Pi represents the proportion of ICH resources in the i region; N represents the number of administrative areas in Hulunbuir City; C represents the equilibrium degree of the spatial distribution of ICH resources; and Gini represents the Gini coefficient. The value range of Gini is 0-1, the closer it is to 1, the higher the concentration, the greater the imbalance in distribution; conversely, the closer it is to 0, the greater the dispersion, the greater and higher the equilibrium of spatial distribution.

2.2.3 Kernel density analysis

Kernel density estimation can be employed to analyze the density of spatial distribution. ArcGIS is utilized to generate a spatial distribution density map of ICH resources, facilitating visual representation. The calculation formula is as follows:
$f\left( x \right)=\frac{1}{nh}\underset{i=1}{\overset{n}{\mathop \sum }}\,K\left( \frac{x{{X}_{i}}}{h} \right)$
where f(x) represents the kernel density estimate; K denotes the kernel density function; x is the estimated point; ${{X}_{i}}$ represents the i-th ICH resource point; h represents window width; and n is the number of ICH resource points within the bandwidth.

2.3 Data sources

The data sources for the national ICH of Hulunbuir City primarily include information from the official list of representative items of national ICH issued by the State Council. Data regarding ICH at the autonomous region and municipal levels are obtained from the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the official website of the Hulunbuir City Municipal Government (as of July 2024). Due to the significant number of ICH resources within Hulunbuir City’s jurisdiction (which encompasses banners, districts, and autonomous flags) and their limited impact on tourism development, this study excludes county-level administrative regions. To accurately analyze the geographical distribution patterns of ICH in Hulunbuir City, duplicate occurrences of the same project at various levels are aggregated, and similar types of ICH resources across different regions are categorized. Geographic coordinates are processed in bulk using Baidu Map, while spatial administrative boundary vector data are sourced from the National Center for Basic Geographic Information to support the analysis.

3 Results and analysis

3.1 Classification of ICH

Existing research often categorizes ICH resources based on project application standards, and there is a diverse array of ICH in Hulunbuir City. For the sake of analytical convenience, this study adopts the classification outlined in the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of ICH promulgated in 2003, and draws upon the work of several scholars (Cao and Lu, 2009; Ouyang, 2011; Tian and Hu, 2021). From the perspective of tourism development, the ICH resources of Hulunbuir City are consolidated into five categories: performing arts, arts and crafts, folk festivals, folk literature, and traditional medicine (Table 1). Specifically, performing arts encompass traditional music, traditional dance, quyi, as well as traditional sports, entertainment, and acrobatics. The category of arts and crafts includes various traditional artistic practices; folk festivals pertain to local customs; folk literature consists of oral traditions; and traditional medicine encompasses indigenous healing practices.
Table 1 The structure of ICH resource categories in Hulunbuir City (Unit: item)
Category National level Autonomous
region level		 Municipal
level		 Total
Folk festivals 4 29 36 69
Folk literature 1 6 5 12
Traditional medicine 0 3 22 25
Performing arts 9 33 46 88
Art and crafts 4 44 100 148
Total 18 115 209 342
In terms of type, the category of arts and crafts constitutes the largest proportion of ICH resources, accounting for approximately 43.28% of the total. This category includes 4 national-level ICH resources and 44 autonomous region-level ICH resources, with representative programs such as Hanika and Birch Bark Making Skills. Following arts and crafts, performing arts and folk customs account for 25.73% and 20.18% of the total, respectively, with well-known programs including Barag Changdiao Folk Songs and Ewenki Reindeer Customs. The categories with relatively fewer resources are traditional medicine and folk literature, which comprise only 7.31% and 3.51% of the total, respectively. These are primarily represented by Mongolian Medicine and Ewenki Folk Stories. It is evident that traditional skills and arts hold a dominant position within the ICH tourism resources of Hulunbuir City. Compared to other types of ICH projects, arts and crafts and performing arts exhibit stronger experiential and interactive qualities, thereby providing a solid foundation for the development of ICH tourism resources in the region.

3.2 Spatial distribution characteristics of ICH

3.2.1 Spatial distribution type

The actual nearest distance, $\overline{{{r}_{1}}}$=0.910 km, while the theo-retical nearest distance, $\overline{{{r}_{E}}}$=11.654 km, resulting in a nearest index, R=0.078 calculated using ArcGIS 10.5 software. Since the actual nearest neighbor distance is smaller than the theoretical nearest neighbor distance, and the nearest index is less than 1, the spatial distribution of ICH resources in Hulunbuir City is significant, with a condensed distribution pattern.

3.2.2 Degree of spatial distribution balance

This study utilizes the Gini coefficient to analyze the dispersion of ICH resources in Hulunbuir City, evaluating the level of balance in spatial distribution. The calculations yield a Gini coefficient of 0.92 and a corresponding C value of 0.08, indicating a substantial imbalance in the distribution of ICH resources among different districts within the city. Additionally, the study ranks the quantity of ICH resources across various districts and banners of Hulunbuir City in descending order and constructs a Lorentz curve to illustrate the spatial distribution of these resources. The Lorenz curve displays significant convexity, underscoring pronounced spatial disparities and imbalances in the distribution of ICH resources across different regions (see Figure 2).
Figure 2 Lorenz curve of the distribution of ICH resources in Hulunbuir City

3.2.3 Kernel density analysis

In terms of overall distribution, ICH resources in Hulunbuir City are predominantly concentrated in the western and northern regions, with a relatively sparse distribution in the eastern and southern areas. This distribution exhibits a “core-dispersed” characteristic, highlighting significant spatial differentiation (see Figure 3). As a living culture, the distribution of ICH resources is closely linked to the region’s historical and cultural heritage, natural geographical conditions, and the level of socio-economic development. The primary core areas for the distribution of ICH resources are identified as Hailar District, Ewenki Autonomous Banner, and Prairie Chenbarhu Banner. Located in the central urban area of Hulunbuir City, these regions boast high levels of economic development and serve as melting pots for various ethnic cultures, providing conducive environments for the preservation and advancement of ICH. Sub-core areas include New Barag Left Banner, New Barag Right Banner, Genhe City, and the Daur Autonomous Banner of Morin Dawa. These regions are characterized by unique ethnic cultures and pristine natural surroundings, creating fertile ground for the emergence of ICH. Conversely, the distribution of ICH in other regions is less dense, marking them as peripheral areas in terms of ICH resource distribution. These areas generally exhibit lower levels of economic development and possess relatively fewer ICH resources, lacking a discernible trend of clustered distribution. Based on the results of this analysis, this study will construct a cultural and tourism integration development model, focusing on both the core area of ICH resources and characteristic ICH resources.
Figure 3 Analysis of kernel density of ICH resources in Hulunbuir City

3.3 Integration development model of ICH and tourism in Hulunbuir City

3.3.1 Spatial integration and optimization model for ICH resource areas

Based on the research findings, Hulunbuir City is rich in ICH resources; however, the spatial distribution of these resources is significantly uneven. Therefore, the city should prioritize breaking through administrative boundaries in the development of ICH tourism and work towards integrating and optimizing resources across the region. First, the main core area, which is abundant in resources and possesses strong comprehensive development capacity, is better positioned to generate a tourism aggregation effect than other areas. This core area should serve as the focal point for the integrated development of culture and tourism, strengthening connections with both the sub-core and marginal areas to promote synergistic regional development. Second, the sub-core area acts as a bridge between the main core area and the marginal region. It should not only focus on developing its own distinctive tourism industry but also establish a complementary relationship with the main core area in terms of new business development and brand building, etc. Additionally, fostering deeper cooperation with the marginal area will help promote balanced regional development. Finally, the marginal area lags behind in the integration and development of cultural and tourism resources compared to the main core and sub-core areas. This region should prioritize the in-depth excavation and protection of ICH resources while strengthening collaboration with the main core and sub-core areas to enhance the overall development of the cultural and tourism industry. In summary, each region should implement a differentiated synergistic development strategy to foster the spatial integration and optimization of ICH resource areas at a holistic level (see Figure 4).
Figure 4 The integrated development model of ICH and tourism in Hulunbuir City
(1) Main core area: The comprehensive development model
As the central area of Hulunbuir City, the main core area boasts rich ICH resources, diverse ethnic cultures, advantageous geographic conditions, and strong economic capacity, making it well-suited for the development of a growth pole for cultural and tourism integration. Therefore, this study advocates for a comprehensive development model for the main core area. First, by focusing on the scenic spots, resorts, and tourism and leisure neighborhoods within this core area, it is essential to systematically integrate the characteristic ICH resources from each resource area. Creating ICH cultural and tourism festival brands centered around traditional celebrations can stimulate tourist enthusiasm. For instance, organizing events such as the “ICH New Year Fair” during the Spring Festival and the “ICH Ethnic Customs Exhibition” during the Ewenki Sibin Festival can enhance visitor engagement. Second, drawing on successful experiences from the construction of ICH characteristic blocks, we propose the establishment of an ICH agglomeration area centered in the main region, which radiates throughout the city. This involves introducing prominent ICH inheritors and developing a comprehensive ICH platform that integrates business incubation, production, research and development, cultural experiences, and tourism. Such an initiative will foster a vibrant agglomeration, display, and experiential effect (Xiao et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2023). Third, leveraging the central urban area’s comprehensive competitiveness and influence, digital technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and the Metaverse can be adeptly integrated into various aspects of life—such as dining, accommodation, travel, shopping, and entertainment. This will create innovative formats and consumption scenarios for digital cultural tourism, facilitating the establishment of an urban center that harmonizes ICH inheritance with tourism and leisure, thereby fostering shared experiences between hosts and guests. Furthermore, an “ICH city meeting room” can be developed around the main core area to enhance community engagement.
(2) Sub-core area: The characteristic development model
The sub-core area possesses a solid economic foundation and potential for the integrated development of culture and tourism. It should leverage regional ICH resources and geographical advantages by adopting a characteristic development model to promote this integration effectively. First, utilizing the unique strengths of ICH resources alongside the region’s grassland and forest ecology, the cultural and tourism industry should be regarded as the primary engine of development. This focus will emphasize ICH tourism, handicrafts, agriculture, animal husbandry, and medical care, integrating cultural tourism with ecological industries to enhance both the ecological environment and the livelihood and well-being of the community. Second, capitalizing on the geographical advantages of the border areas adjacent to Russia and Mongolia, a diversified port-based tourism and cultural zone should be established. This initiative will promote exchanges and cooperation in ICH and tourism among various countries, facilitating collaborative border tourism projects such as the China-Russia-Mongolia International Barag Cultural Tourism Festival. These efforts will continuously strengthen the regional cultural tourism cooperation mechanism among the ports of China, Russia, and Mongolia. Third, it is essential to explore the multi-ethnic characteristic cultures of the Daur, Ewenki, Mongolian, and other ethnic groups. Actively building a new type of ethnic village characterized by “national traits + cultural empowerment + industry drive + tourism development” will enhance the interactive experiences of tourists and foster a vibrant national cultural atmosphere. Simultaneously, establishing an ecological museum dedicated to ethnic minorities will help preserve the “original ecology” of ICH resources to the greatest extent possible (Lin et al., 2023).
(3) Marginal area: The basic protection model
The relative scarcity of ICH resources in the marginal area can be attributed to several factors, including the region’s underdeveloped economic and social conditions, insufficient census efforts and development of ICH resources, and gaps in the transmission of outstanding intangible culture. To address these challenges, a basic protective model is proposed for the integration of culture and tourism in the region. First, the government should take a leading role in conducting a grassroots ICH census in the marginal areas (Liu et al., 2023). Collaboration with relevant departments— including tourism, justice, education, intellectual propertyrights and other relevant departments in Hulunbuir City—will establish a structured communication mechanism to facilitate the declaration of ICH projects. Second, it is essential to enhance public cultural and tourism infrastructure. This can be achieved by prioritizing financial investment and other resources to narrow the developmental gap with other regions, ultimately working towards the equalization of public cultural services. Third, establishing and improving a training mechanism for ICH professionals is crucial. This should focus on cultivating talents in ICH inheritance, technological innovation, creative design, and industrial management. Additionally, implementing talent incentive policies will help address concerns regarding the retention and recruitment of ICH and tourism professionals.

3.3.2 The characteristic resource culture and tourism integration model

Referring to the research of Liu (2014), this study will focus on the “fusion points” of resources, products, and markets to construct a cultural tourism integration model for Hulunbuir City’s characteristic ICH resources. This model will be developed through three integration paths: penetration, reorganization, and extension (see Figure 4).
(1) Resource-driven penetrative integration model. ICH and tourism are mutually reinforced through cross-penetration, where ICH resources are developed and utilized through complementary advantages and resource sharing. First, for ICH resources related to performing arts, cultural tourism projects can be developed on-site at scenic spots to create immersive experiences. For instance, performances of Barag Changdiao Folk Songs and Zherenhei Dances can be showcased at Barag Mongolia tribal scenic areas following careful choreography. The promotion of ethnic performing arts is significant for enhancing both the visibility and economic benefits of ICH. Second, regarding ICH resources in arts and crafts and traditional medicine, the tourist experience can be enriched by integrating dynamic and static elements (Cao and Lu, 2009). Museums and cultural centers can serve as venues for creating immersive tourism experiences, utilizing high-tech methods to transform static exhibitions into interactive displays, thus providing a visual feast of ICH for visitors. Additionally, tourists can engage in hands-on activities such as Daur embroidery and Oroqen paper-cutting, allowing them to intuitively appreciate the charm of ICH while enhancing their overall experience.
(2) Product-driven restructured integration model. Through the reorganization and integration of ICH and tourism, new ICH tourism products and services can be developed, leading to the formation of innovative business models. First, by leveraging arts and crafts, traditional medicine, and other ICH resources, the integration of functions can facilitate the creation of in-depth and branded tourism products (Cai and Fang, 2016). This includes enhancing packaging design, brand development, and marketing strategies to enrich the market supply of tourism offerings. Second, utilizing the unique ICH resources of Hulunbuir City, various platforms such as festivals, events, forums, and exhibitions can be employed to reorganize and integrate these resources. This approach can give rise to new forms of cultural tourism, including seasonal celebration tourism, ICH event tourism, and ICH exhibitions, thereby promoting the brand development of the ICH tourism industry.
(3) Market-driven extension integration model. Driven by market demand, the original industrial chain extends both vertically and horizontally, ultimately forming a new industrial system. This represents a higher level of integration, propelled by resource-driven penetration and product-driven restructuring. First, through the integration of ICH and tourism, related industries—such as the culture and media industry, data-driven sectors, and leisure and entertainment industries—can be incorporated into the ICH tourism sector. This will facilitate cross-border integration and foster a synergistic relationship among multiple business models. Second, to further realize the multifunctional expansion of the ICH industry, Hulunbuir City should combine tourism and cultural resources, centering on activities such as visiting, entertainment, experiential learning, and shopping. This approach aims to create an ICH theme park that embodies distinctive local characteristics and rich cultural heritage, thus promoting the horizontal expansion of the industrial chain.

3.4 The dynamic mechanism of integration of ICH and tourism development

According to the theory of systematics, the integration of ICH and tourism is a dynamic development process in which various dynamic factors create a unique open system. Within this framework, the systems interact to form a dynamic mechanism, ultimately evolving into a new industry (Chen, 2015). Building on the research of Cai and Fang (2016), and aligning with the actual development of cultural and tourism integration in Hulunbuir City’s ICH resource area, this study constructs a dynamic mechanism for the integration of ICH and tourism development. This mechanism encompasses three subsystems: the thrust subsystem, tension subsystem, and support subsystem (see Figure 5). These subsystems interact and depend on one another, collectively driving the integrated development of ICH and tourism.
Figure 5 Dynamic mechanisms for the integration and development of ICH and tourism

3.4.1 The thrust subsystem

The thrust subsystem is crucial for the integrated development of ICH and tourism, primarily encompassing the transformation and upgrading of tourism alongside the diversification of market demand. Driven by increasingly varied market demands, the integration of ICH and tourism has accelerated.In terms of the relationship between the thrust subsystem and other subsystems, two key points emerge. First, the thrust subsystem stimulates the tension subsystem to enhance supply. Guided by market demand and propelled by innovation and integration, Hulunbuir City has introduced innovative ICH products, such as the themed interpretation of “Hulunbuir Snow Field in ICH” and the Aoluguya reindeer migration performance. This has resulted in various synergistic forms, including “ICH + performing arts” and “ICH + technology”, continuously boosting the supply of ICH tourism products.Second, the development of the thrust subsystem facilitates the rapid construction of the support subsystem. In 2023, the “Hulunbuir Extreme Grassland Colorful Intangible Cultural Heritage Tour” was recognized as a national ICH characteristic tourism route, attracting a total of 3391400 tourists in the first three quarters—a year-on-year increase of 410.03%. This influx generated a total tourism revenue of 169 million yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 465.42%. Thus, the integrated development of ICH and tourism in Hulunbuir City has significantly contributed to local economic growth.

3.4.2 The tension subsystem

The tension subsystem serves as the foundational condition for the integrated development of ICH and tourism, encompassing resource elements as well as cultural protection and inheritance. First, the tension subsystem is a core component of the thrust subsystem. In recent years, Hulunbuir’s banner cities have systematically integrated ICH and tourism resources, leading to the development of ICH tourism neighborhoods and cultural promotion activities. The establishment of the Hulunbuir City ICH digital cultural and tourism platform has effectively facilitated the integration of ICH protection and inheritance with tourism supply, while also catering to the personalized needs of tourists. Second, the tension subsystem bolsters the steady development of the support subsystem. The in-depth integration of ICH and tourism has spurred the growth of related industries, including study tours, healthcare, and cultural and creative sectors. This development has not only created abundant employment opportunities for local residents but has also attracted significant foreign investment and tourists. Consequently, it has led to substantial improvements in local infrastructure, providing vital support for the growth of the overall subsystem.

3.4.3 The support subsystem

The support subsystem serves as a crucial foundation for the integrated development of ICH and tourism, encompassing the economic foundation, government support, and scientific and technological innovation. First, the region’s economic foundation is essential for promoting the development and investment of ICH tourism projects. Improvements in urban and rural infrastructure across the banner cities have enhanced transportation networks, ensuring better accessibility to cultural and tourism integration spaces. Second, government attention, policy initiatives, and financial backing significantly influence the alignment of market demand and supply (Tang et al., 2023a). In 2024, the Office of the Hulunbuir Municipal People’s Government issued the “Hulunbuir City Culture and Tourism Integration Development Plan (2023-2025)”, highlighting the integration of ICH protection and tourism supply as a key objective. In recent years, the government has prioritized this integration through targeted policies, industry guidance, and practical development strategies to foster a strong connection between demand and supply, thereby promoting the cultural and tourism sector’s growth. Last, scientific and technological innovation offers diverse pathways for the deeper integration of ICH and tourism. The adoption of digital technologies and information systems has given rise to new business models within the cultural tourism industry born on both the supply side and the demand side, enhancing the quality of ICH tourism products and enriching tourist experiences. This innovation drives the transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of the cultural tourism sector (Tang et al., 2024).

4 Discussion and conclusions

4.1 Discussion

The structural disparities in ICH resources are particularly evident in the prevalence of performing arts and arts and crafts, which have been extensively studied. Arts and crafts ICH resources are intricately linked to craft production and their material forms, establishing a strong connection between arts and crafts and to the market. In contrast, traditional medicine and folklore ICH resources are in a precarious position. This aligns with the observations of Lin (2014) and Li (2018), who note that the rapid decline of the traditional socio-economic and cultural contexts supporting these ICH resources weakens their inheritance mechanisms and can even disrupt the transmission chain. To tackle these challenges, researchers in the field of ICH should focus on enhancing efforts in fundamental conservation, hereditary preservation, and developmental strategies. This approach is essential for revitalizing and sustaining the vulnerable ICH resources, ensuring their continued relevance and accessibility for future generations.
The clustering pattern of ICH resources that the spatial pattern is greatly influenced in Hulunbuir City is indeed significantly shaped by natural geographical conditions, socio-economic development, and historical and cultural contexts, echoing findings from Zhang et al. (2022) and Chang et al. (2023). This suggests that different geographical regions should implement tailored models for the integrated development of ICH and tourism. Additionally, the integration mechanism between ICH culture and tourism is recognized as a multi-dimensional, multi-level, and complex process. Given the unique national characteristics of Hulunbuir City, along with its social and cultural factors, research on the driving mechanisms for integration differs markedly from other regions. Based on earlier studies (Chen, 2015; Cai and Fang, 2016), this paper proposes a comprehensive power mechanism for the integration of ICH and tourism, focusing on thrust, tension, and support dimensions. This framework aims to facilitate the deep integration and high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industries, ensuring that the unique characteristics of Hulunbuir City are effectively leveraged in this process.
Geographic analysis plays a crucial role in cultural heritage research, particularly in practical preservation efforts. While much of the existing research has focused on individual cases and historical perspectives of cultural heritage protection, this study shifts the focus to the development patterns and driving forces behind the integration of regional ICH and tourism. By employing a geographic lens, this approach not only deepens our understanding of the environmental attributes that influence cultural heritage but also provides valuable insights for strategic tourism planning and development. Additionally, it advocates for a systematic and efficient approach to the preservation and management of cultural heritage resources, ensuring that they are sustained while fostering their integration into the tourism sector. This comprehensive perspective can ultimately enhance the visibility and viability of ICH within the tourism landscape, promoting both cultural appreciation and economic growth.
In recent years, ICH has become a vital element in shaping China’s global image and enhancing its cultural influence, facilitating cross-cultural exchanges and mutual appreciation. The concept of “tourism-based revitalization” not only elevates the economic value of cultural heritage but also emphasizes its cultural significance. This study introduces an innovative integration model for ICH and tourism, providing a framework for the comprehensive utilization and seamless blending of ICH resources. It proposes strategies for optimizing the spatial configuration of cultural tourism in Hulunbuir City. Practically, this model aims to guide the harmonious development of regional ICH preservation alongside the tourism industry, thereby expanding the reach of ICH inheritance, safeguarding cultural diversity, and promoting the revitalization of national culture. By leveraging ICH within the tourism sector, this approach not only fosters economic growth but also strengthens cultural identity and community resilience.

4.2 Conclusions

This study examines the spatial distribution characteristics of ICH resources using ArcGIS in Hulunbuir City. It identifies key areas for the integrated development of ICH resources and tourism and proposes a model for the integrated development of culture and tourism in ICH resource areas, along with a dynamic mechanism. Three main research conclusions are drawn:
(1) ICH resources in Hulunbuir City primarily consist of arts and crafts, performing arts, and folklore festivals, while traditional medicine and folklore ICH resources represent a smaller proportion. Additionally, the spatial distribution of ICH resources varies significantly across different regions.
(2) Regarding the integrated development model of culture and tourism, a spatial integration and optimization model is first proposed based on the core area of ICH resources. Following this, a characteristic resource culture and tourism integration model is constructed from three perspectives: Resource-driven penetrative integration, product-driven restructured integration, and market-driven extension integration.
(3) The integrated development of ICH and tourism is achieved through the joint action of four major subsystems: Thrust, tension, and support. These subsystems are interconnected and interact with one another to promote the integrated development of ICH and tourism, ultimately establishing a cohesive power mechanism for this integration.

4.3 Research deficiencies and prospects

To begin with, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region encompasses a vast expanse of land, characterized by diverse cultures and styles that vary significantly across different regions. As a result, the characteristics of ICH and tourism development also differ, complicating the proposal of a targeted development model for the integration of culture and tourism from the perspective of the autonomous region. Moreover, the integration of ICH and tourism is a highly complex system that involves comprehensive integration of concepts, mechanisms, resources, and business formats. In the future, it will be essential to further enhance and enrich the dynamic mechanisms underpinning this integration, improving the scientific rigor and explanatory power of the relevant theories. Additionally, with the widespread use of digital technology, there is an opportunity to deeply mine and analyze vast amounts of data using artificial intelligence and big data analytics. Greater attention should be paid to the application of digital technology in the integration of ICH tourism, to strengthen data availability and broaden the scope of research.

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