Spatial Distribution of Landscapes and Their Influence on Travel along the Song-Dynasty Yangtze River

The Yangtze River has long functioned as both a natural ecosystem and a cultural artery. During the Song dynasty, natural and cultural landscapes became deeply intertwined, marking a formative stage in the river’s transformation into a heritage landscape. Yet, fragmented historical evidence has limited systematic understanding of their spatial distribution and interrelations. This study addresses the gap by analyzing all six extant Song-dynasty travel accounts to examine the spatial interplay between natural and cultural features and their influence on mobility. The findings reveal that landscapes along the Song-dynasty Yangtze formed composite assemblages of diverse subtypes, interacting within and across categories to create integrated ensembles. Cultural landscapes, especially urban centers and religious sites, exerted the strongest influence on travel duration. Through spatial clustering and coupling, these dynamics not only structured travel practices but also initiated enduring heritage processes, embedding a tripartite cultural geography across the river’s upper, middle, and lower reaches.