Distribution and Integration of Military Settlements’ Cultural Heritage in the Large Pass City of the Great Wall in the Ming Dynasty: A Case Study of Juyong Pass Defense Area

Research reveals that the Juyong Pass defense area, a key Ming Dynasty stronghold near Beijing, had its military resources disproportionately concentrated in the western part of the Great Wall, forming a secondary core alongside the pass city. This finding challenges current conservation efforts, which focus solely on Juyong Pass, thereby undermining the heritage's integrity. The study applied spatial analysis to a military settlements database, identifying that over half of the defense area's resources were allocated to the western region. By mapping the distribution of cultural heritage, the research aims to guide sustainable preservation practices that respect historical spheres of control and integrate resources along the Great Wall's significant cultural routes.

Zhang, Y., Li, S., Tan, L., & Zhou, J. (2021). Distribution and Integration of Military Settlements’ Cultural Heritage in the Large Pass City of the Great Wall in the Ming Dynasty: A Case Study of Juyong Pass Defense Area. Sustainability, 13(13), 7166. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137166