Four-dimensional interpretation strategies of built heritage in the perspective of cultural heritage and tourism integration: the development experience of Guangji Bridge in China

Abstract Cultural heritage conservation has stepped out of the old thinking patterns of focusing only on the preservation of ‘remains’ and ‘original objects’ to the concept of ‘revitalisation’ and ‘reuse’ of living heritage conservation, so as to achieve better preservation and sustainable development of cultural heritage in the new cultural ecology. In light of the new opportunities and challenges resulting from shifting perspectives on heritage conservation, sustained growth of cultural consumption power, and a significant increase in heritage tourism demand, it becomes increasingly challenging for cultural heritage institutions to protect built heritage while appropriately integrating and developing heritage resources to provide visitors with positive and valuable heritage experiences, and to effectively interpretate heritage significance and value to the public. Based on the theoretical foundation of the cultural heritage interpretation system construction, this study proposes a four-dimensional interpretation framework for built heritage interpretation and comprehensively evaluates the innovation path of the interpretation system of Guangji Bridge, one of the four major ancient bridges in China and a typical practice of cultural heritage revitalisation, in terms of four perspectives (Heritage Space, Cultural Space, Social Space, and Symbiotic space) through participatory site investigation and in-depth interviews. The findings should provide insight into the construction and optimisation of built heritage interpretation systems in the context of sustainable integration of cultural heritage and tourism at the theoretical and practical levels.