02241nas a2200241   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002653001000043653000900053653001200062653002600074653001400100653001600114653001900130653002100149653002800170100001400198700001200212245013900224856015200363490000700515520147700522                                       d10aChina10aaged10aarticle10acultural anthropology10aDiagnosis10aInheritance10asocioeconomics10aspatial analysis10aSustainable development1 aCai Cheng1 aLili Pu00aThe characteristics of spatial and temporal distribution and influencing factors of intangible cultural heritage in Northwestern China  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105000648343&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-025-93949-8&partnerID=40&md5=912efa6e73b2ffdeaa0ae7cd3013230b0 v153 aIntangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is the essence of living culture. The sustainable development of it is a hot spot of international concern, focusing on the protection of originality and authenticity. This study utilizes spatial analysis and Geodetector methods to explore the typological structure, spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of ICH and its influencing factors in Northwestern China. The results of the study indicate the following: (1) Between 2006 and 2023, there is a downward trend in the number of declarations in most provinces and types of ICH. (2) The spatial distribution of ICH in the northwest region has obvious clustering characteristics, the distribution pattern has evolved from a “single point with two nuclei” to a “multiple points with two nuclei”, showing two high-density core areas and five sub-high-density core areas. (3) The present spatial distribution of ICH is influenced by a combination of factors. Socio-economic factors and humanistic factors have a greater impact than physical geography factors. By leveraging advanced spatial analysis tools and interdisciplinary insights, this study not only enriches the theoretical understanding of ICH’s spatial characteristics but also provides a replicable methodological framework for similar research globally. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, contributing to the sustainable development and preservation of ICH worldwide.