Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Music Intangible Cultural Heritage (MICH) is an epitome of cultural diversity and a living testament to historical legacy. This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of 1,473 national-level MICH items in China using spatial analysis, statistical methods, and a geographical detector model. The research aims to fill the gap in existing literature regarding cross-regional and multi-categorical analyses of MICH, with a particular emphasis on the interplay of multiple influencing factors. The findings reveal that: (1) MICH exhibits a significant spatial clustering and uneven distribution, forming a "three-core, multi-center" pattern with major cores in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Central Plains, and the Yangtze River Delta. (2) Each MICH category displays distinct clustering characteristics. Traditional music is concentrated in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta regions; traditional dance is prevalent in North, East, and South China; traditional theater is centered around the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region; and Quyi (narrative arts) is focused in East China and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (3) The spatiotemporal evolution of MICH's center of gravity shows a migration trend from the Central Plains eastward, experiencing a dynamic process of "concentration-diffusion-dispersion," with a dominant form shifting from traditional music to traditional theater. (4) The distribution of MICH is co-influenced by natural-geographical, socio-economic, and historical-cultural factors, with the latter playing a dominant role, especially elements like traditional villages, cultural institutions, and historical cities. Socio-economic factors such as population size and regional GDP are secondary drivers, while natural-geographical factors have the least impact. (5) Synergistic effects significantly enhance the influence of these factors, particularly the interaction between historical-cultural elements and other factors. Ultimately, this study moves beyond conventional conservation paradigms to propose a comprehensive protection strategy based on a typology of cultural ecosystems, featuring differentiated, networked, and co-governance approaches, thereby providing strategic guidance for the sustainable development of cultural heritage.</p>