Analysis of Performance and Genetic Characteristics of Cultural Landscapes in Traditional Villages along the Jinzhong Section of the Wanli Tea Road from a Landscape Gene Information Chain Perspective: A Case Study of Xiamen Village

Abstract

The traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road carry rich historical and cultural heritage, holding significant humanistic and scientific value. However, with the rapid pace of urbanization and modernization, the inheritance and protection of the cultural landscapes in these traditional villages face numerous challenges. Based on this, this study focuses on Xiamen Village, a traditional village along the Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road, utilizing the perspective of the landscape gene information chain to reveal the performance and genetic characteristics of its unique and regionally distinctive cultural landscape genes. The study provides theoretical support for the protection and inheritance of cultural landscapes in traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road. The results show that: (1) The overall cultural landscape of Xiamen Village has been well preserved, with notable characteristics in environment, layout, architecture, and culture, demonstrating its rich historical and cultural accumulation, and offering high research and conservation value; (2) The landscape gene information chain of Xiamen Village plays a critical role in integrating the village’s cultural landscape. The landscape gene information elements and points express the village’s unique historical inheritance through regional culture and material forms. The “branch-like” structure of the landscape gene information corridors effectively connects the various landscape gene information points, while the landscape gene information network reflects the interaction between tradition and modernity; (3) The landscape gene information chain of Xiamen Village shows a relationship of coexistence between inheritance and change in its genetic characteristics. Although some landscape genes face challenges from modernization, their core traits have not been lost. The inheritance of the landscape genes is not static but adjusts and reconstructs within an evolving social and cultural context, reflecting adaptability and flexibility in response to modern demands.

1. Introduction

The Wanli Tea Road is another international commercial channel after the Silk Road in ancient China. It is an important transportation corridor for cultural exchange, mutual learning, and mutual reference between China and the world through tea as a medium [1,2,3]. In 2013, Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, called the Wanli Tea Road “the artery of the century” in his speech, “Conforming to the Trend of The Times and Promoting World Peace and Development”. In 2019, the National Cultural Heritage Administration formally included the “Wanli Tea Road” on the “List of China’s World Cultural Heritage Candidates”. In 2020, the node cities of the Wanli Tea Road signed the Charter of the Alliance for the Protection of the Wanli Tea Road and the Joint Application of World Cultural Heritage Cities, which promoted the protection and application of the Wanli Tea Road, and better promoted the protection and utilization of the Wanli Tea Road and the cultural heritage along the line.

In the current context, the concept of cultural landscape holds particular significance. It originates from the long historical process of interaction and co-evolution between humans and their natural environment, reflecting humanity’s adaptation to and transformation of the environment [4,5]. This concept is profound and multifaceted, with different interpretations and research emphases across various countries and regions due to differing cultural backgrounds. In some regions, cultural landscapes focus more on the harmonious integration of natural environments with human-made elements, reflecting respect for and adaptation to nature in the process of environmental transformation [6]. In other regions, cultural landscapes emphasize the historical evolution of land use and natural environments, as well as the cultural symbolism and historical significance they carry [7]. In China, cultural landscapes are more closely linked to cultural heritage preservation and sustainable development, with an emphasis on how to retain and transmit valuable traditional culture during modernization [8]. In-depth research into cultural landscapes not only aids in understanding the unique landscape characteristics formed under specific historical and social contexts in different regions but also provides valuable insights for the protection and transmission of cultural heritage on a global scale.

The traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road serve as an important cultural heritage of this ancient trade route, carrying rich historical memories and bearing witness to China’s ancient foreign commercial trade and cultural exchanges [9]. These villages not only embody the prosperity of ancient Chinese commerce and trade, but also exemplify a wide range of cultural exchanges, showcasing significant scientific research and economic value [10,11]. However, due to the rapid urbanization and modernization, traditional villages are currently encountering a range of issues. These include population outflow, excessive commercialization, inadequate protection of cultural heritage, and disruption of cultural inheritance [12,13,14,15]. Consequently, there has been a growing homogenization and loss of distinctive characteristics in village cultural landscapes [16,17]. One of the reasons is the lack of deep exploration of the unique cultural landscape characteristics of the village itself [18,19], ignoring the importance of its “gene” level [20,21]. Moreover, although the ‘gene’ characteristics of historical landscapes and buildings have played a key role in shaping the cultural landscapes of these traditional villages, their decisive influence on contemporary building practice has gradually diminished with the passage of time. This shift has further exacerbated the challenges of preserving and transmitting the cultural landscapes of these traditional villages.

Therefore, it has become a critical issue to explore the inherent composition and profound connotation of the unique cultural landscape of traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road, and to clarify the characteristic expression and inheritance characteristics of its cultural landscape genes, while balancing protection and development in the process of modernization.

In view of the above, Chinese and foreign scholars have carried out a series of studies and achieved many results. Foreign scholars have earlier introduced the concept of “gene” into the study of settlement landscape characteristics, explored the common factors contained in the plane form and spatial structure of traditional settlements, and demonstrated a new research model [22,23,24]. Some scholars also believe that the landscape is the complex external morphological basis of settlement spaces such as cities and villages, and the morphological genes of historical town landscapes can be extracted [25,26]. In addition, landscape archaeology has gradually emerged, with foreign scholars integrating archaeological findings with regional culture and ecological environments, focusing on the cultural relationships between humans and landscapes [27,28]. In doing so, they have revealed the historical changes of regional landscapes over time [29], enriching the depth and scope of research related to cultural landscapes. The research of foreign scholars has to a certain extent pioneered the landscape gene theory and laid the foundation for its formation.

In China, Liu Peilin first proposed the concept of landscape gene in his research, forming a research perspective that not only focuses on the external physical form of landscape, but also emphasizes the analysis of the internal characteristics of landscape [30]. This has provided a new approach for the study of traditional village cultural landscapes and gradually improved the theory of landscape gene. In recent years, research on landscape genes has become more abundant, with main focuses on methods for identifying and extracting landscape genes in traditional villages [31], constructing of landscape gene genealogy [32,33] and map [34,35], variations of landscape genes [36], studying the theory of landscape gene information chain [37], as well as protecting and inheriting traditional village landscape genes [38]. Meanwhile, research in China on landscape archaeology has also largely focused on settlement spaces, further revealing the formation and development processes of traditional village cultural landscapes [39], providing important historical references for the identification, extraction, and presentation of landscape genes.

Among them, the landscape gene information chain is a novel research framework established on the basis of the landscape gene theory. In the current context, it can thoroughly and effectively investigate the landscape gene characteristics of traditional villages, clearly sort out the interactions among them, and scientifically judge the coordination degree of the overall village style. It is of great significance to carefully grasp the main characteristics of the traditional village cultural landscape, and to rationally protect and activate it [40]. After Liu Peilin first proposed the concept of the landscape gene information chain [37], Chinese scholars have successively carried out a series of related research. The research content mainly includes detailed explanations of the concept of the landscape gene information chain [36], the construction of a landscape gene information chain based on landscape gene coding [41], tourism planning in scenic areas using the landscape gene information chain [42,43], characteristics and classification study of the traditional village landscape gene information chain [40], the digital application of the landscape gene information chain in traditional villages [44], as well as analysis and evaluation of core parts of the traditional village gene information chain [10,45,46].

In summary, although Chinese and foreign scholars have made significant progress in the study of cultural landscapes, landscape gene theory, and related fields, systematic and in-depth research on the cultural landscape gene characteristics of traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road, particularly regarding their genetic characteristics, remains relatively insufficient. Moreover, as a new research framework under the landscape gene theory, the landscape gene information chain has primarily focused on form and surface-level analysis, with studies of its core parts still in the exploratory stage. There has yet to be a thorough investigation into the dynamic development of its genetic characteristics over time. Based on this, this paper adopts the perspective of the landscape gene information chain and, using Xiamen Village, a traditional village along the Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road, as a case study, conducts a systematic and in-depth analysis by integrating multiple disciplines. The study aims to clarify the distinctive performance characteristics of its cultural landscape genes, as well as the genetic characteristics in generational transmission, and to explore its contemporary protection, inheritance, and sustainable development. This research not only fills a gap in existing studies but also provides new theoretical support and research perspectives for the protection, inheritance, and sustainable development of cultural landscapes in traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road.

2. Data Sources and Research Methods

2.1. Study Area and Sample

The Wanli Tea Road is an international commercial channel dominated by Shanxi Merchants and developed in the Qing Dynasty [47,48]. Shanxi Province, China, as the birthplace of the Shanxi Merchants, has two main tea roads, Xi Road and Da Xi Road, which intersect in Jinzhong City and then extend northward in a “人” shape [49] (Figure 1). Jinzhong City is an important hub of the Wanli Tea Road in Shanxi Province, which has rich historical and cultural resources and important research value. The Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road in this paper refers to the overall route formed by relatively regular and obvious tea road routes within the jurisdiction of Jinzhong City (Figure 2).

“Xiamen Village is one of the most representative traditional villages along the Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road. It is located in the southwest of Lingshi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, and situated in the Fenhe River valley between Taiyue Mountain and Lvliang Mountain. The village derives its name from the legend of King Yu, who “opened Lingshi Mouth and left Jinyang Lake empty”. Due to its significant value in protection and research, Xiamen Village was listed as the fourth batch of Chinese Historical and Cultural Villages in 2008 and was included in the first batch of China’s Traditional Villages List in 2012.

Xiamen Village has a long history and a profound historical and cultural heritage. According to historical records, its founding can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, and it developed into a market town during the Ming and Qing dynasties due to thriving commercial activities. The historical pattern of Xiamen Village is relatively complete, with about six groups of 56 traditional building courtyards that are rich in historical charm, as well as thousands of cave dwellings and traditional dwellings. In addition, there are thousands of cave dwellings and traditional residences, with a total building area of about 75,000 square meters [50]. Meanwhile, Xiamen Village boasts abundant natural resources and rich historical and cultural heritage, presenting diverse and distinctive cultural landscapes with regional characteristics. It reflects the ancient and profound historical culture of Xiamen Village as well as the typical features of the Wanli Tea Road, making it one of the most representative traditional villages along the Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road.

Therefore, this article selects Xiamen Village as the research sample, which is highly representative and also holds significant academic and practical value.

2.2. Research Methods

2.2.1. Identification and Extraction of Landscape Genes

Cultural landscape refers to the landscape formed by the accumulation and superimposition of human activities on the basis of natural landscapes [51,52,53]. The concept of “gene”, on the other hand, originates from biology, referring to the basic unit of heredity in an organism that controls its characteristics [54]. The so-called landscape gene is a unique and hereditary cultural factor, which is an indispensable basic unit that constitutes a specific cultural landscape. It is passed down from generation to generation and distinguishes itself from other cultural factors in the landscape [37].

Based on the basic principles of landscape gene recognition and extraction proposed by Liu Peilin, namely, intrinsic uniqueness, extrinsic uniqueness, local uniqueness and overall dominance [37], this paper identifies and extracts the landscape genes of Xiamen Village with reference to the feature deconstruction extraction method summarized and improved by Hu Zui et al. [31] and combined with the actual situation of villages.

Specifically, the first step is to construct the index system for the landscape genes identification of Xiamen Village (

Table 1. Index system of landscape gene identification in Xiamen Village.

Identification Range	Landscape Gene Category	Identification Factor	Identification Index	Index Interpretation
Xiamen Village	The material landscape gene	Environmental element	Landscape environment	Landscape pattern representation related to geographical and geomantic aspects
			Cultural environment	The environmental elements related to history, culture and social features in the village
		Spatial layout	Site Selection feature	The typical features of the village base site, such as topography and landform
			Village form	The spatial form of the village as a whole, such as clusters, bands, dots, or their combined forms
			Street characteristics	The structural characteristics of each street and roadway in the village
		Traditional building	Building age	The construction time of the building
			Building type	The function of the building
			Layout feature	The layout and enclosing form of the building
			Construction feature	Such as the form of the roof, the number of building floors, structural characteristics, the use of materials, and other aspects of the construction characteristics of the building
			Decorative feature	The detailed decoration of the different components of the building
	The non-material landscape gene	Belief culture	Object of belief	For example, the belief and worship of the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and folk gods
		Clan culture	Family inheritance	The specific characteristics of the family culture formed on the basis of blood relationship
		Historical story	Story content	The historical events or deeds of people with wider circulation in the village
		Traditional technique	Technical expression	The expression of inheriting skills in manual practice
		Cultural activity	Activity type	Such as temple fair activities, opera performances, and other specific types of cultural activities

). In the index system, the landscape genes of Xiamen Village were divided into two categories: material landscape genes and non-material landscape genes. Among them, the material landscape gene is based on three identification factors: environmental elements, spatial layout, and traditional building, and constructs 10 specific identification indicators. On the other hand, the non-material landscape gene is based on five identification factors: belief culture, clan culture, historical memories, traditional technique, and cultural activities, and five specific identification indicators are constructed. Then, according to the index system, the landscape genes of Ximen village were identified and extracted, and the identification results were classified into four categories: environmental genes, layout genes, architectural genes, and cultural genes.

2.2.2. Landscape Gene Coding and Genealogy Construction

(1)

Landscape Gene Coding Model

Based on the “N-level coding” theory, this paper divides the identified landscape genes into four levels: major categories, intermediate categories, minor categories, and units. The coding uses a combination of Roman numerals and Arabic numerals, with each level adding a new digit from “major categories” to “units”. Specifically, Roman numerals represent major categories, while intermediate, minor categories, and units use Arabic numerals. For minor categories that cannot be further subdivided, the Arabic numeral “0” is used, while other categories are coded with Arabic numerals “1–9”. This systematic and intuitive coding approach establishes a hierarchical landscape gene model (Figure 3), laying a solid foundation for the systematic analysis of landscape genes.

(2)

Construction of the Landscape Gene Genealogy

A genealogy serves as an analytical tool to classify and systematize entities by studying their attributes and characteristics to identify patterns. It helps in understanding the relationships at different levels and reveals the internal structure of the landscape genes. In landscape gene research, constructing a genealogy plays a crucial role by systematically linking different levels of landscape genes to display their overall structure and the logic behind their interconnections.

In constructing the landscape gene genealogy, this paper introduces relevant experiences from landscape archaeology. Landscape archaeology emphasizes the organic connection between a region and its surrounding environment and historical background, focusing on the study of historical changes from the past to the present [55]. By incorporating these experiences into the construction of the landscape gene genealogy, the paper provides a deeper analysis of the historical inheritance and evolution of landscape genes [56].

Based on the identification results and coding methods of landscape genes, this study further integrates historical information to construct a more complete landscape gene genealogy for Xiamen Village. First, the coding model is used to classify the landscape genes at various hierarchical levels, from major categories to individual units. Then, historical information related to landscape genes is introduced into the genealogical framework to showcase the primary inheritance characteristics of various landscape genes across different time periods. This construction method enhances the logic and systematization of the genealogy, providing a clearer analytical framework for the evolution of landscape genes.

2.2.3. Construction and Analysis of the Landscape Gene Information Chain

The landscape gene information chain is an innovative theory that is condensed and applied on the basis of landscape gene theory. It is a stable spatial structure formed by the interaction of different landscape genes in traditional villages [40]. The core parts of the landscape gene information chain are mainly landscape gene information elements, landscape gene information points, landscape gene information corridors, and landscape gene information networks [45].

The landscape gene information element refers to the intangible cultural elements in traditional villages, which represents the unique historical memory, cultural connotation, and social life of villages. The landscape gene information point is the concrete manifestation of the landscape gene information element, which is the most obvious and iconic landscape component in traditional villages. The landscape gene information corridor is the traffic space that organizes and connects each landscape gene information point, and it is the link of each landscape gene information point. The landscape gene information network is a complex information network covering the whole village, which is formed by the interconnection and interweaving of landscape gene information corridors and landscape gene information points in traditional villages.

Based on the identification and extraction results of landscape genes in Xiamen Village, this paper constructs the landscape gene information chain of Xiamen Village and makes in-depth analysis and discussion on the external performance and internal genetic characteristics of its four core parts: element, point, corridor, and network. The aim is to provide reference and support for the research and protection of cultural landscape features along the traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road under the current era background.

2.3. Data Source

The data and materials used in this paper mainly come from the following ways:

(1)

Field research: The research group conducted on-site visits and surveys of Xiamen Village, collecting relevant information through key interviews, drone aerial photography, and survey marking methods.

(2)

Literature materials: Relevant materials were reviewed and collected through various channels, including the internet, printed books, and documents. These materials include, but are not limited to, academic papers, professional books, local gazetteers, traditional village atlases, and policies and regulations related to the protection of traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road.

(3)

Map resources: Part of the basic map data in this paper comes from Google Earth, OpenCycleMap, and Tencent Map, etc. AutoCAD 2019, ArcGIS 10.8, and other software are used for analysis and processing.

3. Results and Analysis

3.1. Landscape Gene Identification Results and Genealogy Construction

The identification results of landscape genes in Xiamen Village can be classified into four categories: environmental genes, layout genes, architectural genes, and cultural genes.

Based on the identification results and the aforementioned methods, this paper has constructed a landscape gene genealogy (

Table 2. Landscape gene genealogy of Xiamen Village.

Major Category	Intermediate Category	Minor Category	Unit	Significant Historical Information
I Environmental gene	I1 Mountain and water environment	I10	I101 Back the mountains and face the water	Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, this pattern has been maintained.
	I2 Cultural environment	I20	I201 Ancient and famous trees	The tree species is Sophora japonica, approximately 400 years old and planted during the Ming Dynasty, serve as a significant symbol of local history and culture.
			I202 Fort Gate	Mainly constructed and refined during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi and Qianlong periods.
			I203 Stone roller	Primarily represents the agrarian society of the mid-Ming Dynasty and earlier.
II Layout gene	II1 Site selection type	II10	II101 The foot of the mountain slopes	Follows the site selection from the Tang Dynasty.
	II2 Spatial form	II20	II201 Band-like cluster	Influenced by the Qing Dynasty’s Wanli Tea Road and social development.
	II3 Street pattern	II30	II301 Branch-like	A relatively complete pattern formed during the Kangxi and Jiaqing reigns of the Qing Dynasty.
III Architectural gene	III1 Structural form	III10	III101 Brick arch cave dwelling	Traditional buildings primarily date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with a significant number from the Qing Dynasty, particularly from the mid to late Qing period. Most of these structures were built between the reigns of Kangxi and Daoguang, showcasing the maturity and evolution of architectural craftsmanship during this era.
			III102 Brick and wood beam frame
	III2 Building type	III20	III201 Residential building
			III202 Public building
	III3 Courtyard layout	III30	III301 Courtyard of one house
			III302 Courtyard of two houses
			III303 Courtyard of three houses
			III304 Courtyard of four houses
	III4 Roof form	III40	III401 Flat roof
			III402 Pent roof
			III403 Flush gable roof
			III404 Round ridge roof
			III405Linked-up roof
	III5 Building material	III50	III501 Brick
			III502 Wood
	III6 Number of floors	III60	III601 One floor
			III602 Two floors
			III603 Four floors
	III 7 Building decoration	III71 Type of decoration	III711 Wood carving
			III712 Brick carving
			III713 Stone carving
		III72 Decoration location	III721 Roof ridge
			III722 Sparrow brace
			III723 Pillar head
			III724 Column base
			III725 Bearing stone
			III726 Drum shaped bearing stone
		III73 Decorative pattern	III731 Auspicious cloud
			III732 Flowers and plants
			III733Bamboo
			III734 Grapes
			III735 Rhinoceros
			III736 Fairy crane
			III737 Lion
			III738 Deer
			III739 Character
IV Cultural gene	IV1 Belief culture	IV11 Confucianism	IV111 Confucius	Flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, developing with the construction of temples, ancestral halls, and cultural exchanges on the Wanli Tea Road.
		IV12 Buddhism	IV121 Guanyin Bodhisattva
			IV122 Doumu Yuanjun
		IV13 Taoism	IV131 Songzi goddess
			IV132 Yanguang goddess
		IV14 Ancient saints and sages	IV141 Guan Yu
			IV142 Sun Simiao
		IV15 Folk gods	IV151 God of land
			IV152 God of wealth
		IV16 Nature gods	IV161 Dragon King
	IV 2 Clan culture	IV20 Clan surname	IV201 Liang	Since the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, evolving through changing times and continuing to the present.
		IV21 Clan family discipline	IV211 Loyalty
			IV212 Integrity
			IV213 Filial Piety,
			IV214 Benevolence
	IV3 Historical Memory	IV30	IV301 The Battle of Que Shu Valley	Historical wars of the Tang Dynasty.
			IV302 King Yu combating the flood	Historical legends from the period of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
			IV303 Zixia lectures	Historical events of the late Spring and Autumn period.
			IV304 The famous minister Liang Zhongjing	Prominent historical figures during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty.
	IV4 Traditional technique	IV40	IV401 Embroidery	Primarily emerged during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, flourished in the Qing period, and has continued to the present.
			IV402 Paper-cutting
			IV403 Decorative steamed buns
	IV5 Cultural activity	IV50	IV501 Temple fair activity
			IV502 Ancestor worship activity
			IV503 Festival activity
			IV504 Village fair trade
			IV505 Opera performance

) that includes significant historical information. This helps to comprehensively and systematically understand the structural characteristics and inheritance of the landscape genes in Xiamen Village. Additionally, this paper has also created a distribution map of the representable landscape resources (Figure 4) to visually present their spatial distribution.

From the perspective of environmental genes, it mainly includes two aspects: mountain and water environment and cultural environment. Xiamen Village is surrounded by mountains and relies on the Fenhe River. To the north are the remaining branches of the Lvliang Mountains, and to the south are the remaining branches of Mianshan Mountain [57]. The village is located between two mountains, with a tributary of the Fenhe River passing through its southern side, presenting a mountain-water environment with its back against the mountain and facing the river. This forms an excellent landscape environment and microclimate. The cultural environment of the village mainly includes the ancient and famous trees with a hundred years of history in the village, which are located in various parts of the village, the stone roller reflecting the production and life of the villagers, and the fort gate representing the history, culture, and development of Xiamen Ancient Fort. These cultural environmental resources not only carry the historical memory and cultural accumulation of the village, but also show the social development and changes of the village.

From the perspective of the layout gene, it mainly includes three aspects: site selection type, spatial form, and street pattern. Xiamen Village is located on the gentle slope at the foot of the mountain to the north. The overall terrain is high in the east and low in the west, which is conducive to drainage and avoiding flood disasters to a certain extent, and also forms a relatively diverse landscape style with various environmental factors. The overall presentation of the village is relatively concentrated, with a spread-out and clustered appearance, and there is a certain degree of band-shaped extension along the direction of the ancient commercial road. Furthermore, the roads are mainly represented by Xiamen Main Street and Dongxia Line. The remaining streets and alleys follow the terrain and spatial form, radiating outward on the basis of the main roads, forming a branching structure with obvious hierarchical branch-like street patterns.

From the perspective of the architectural genes, the traditional buildings in Xiamen Village are mainly buildings in the Ming and Qing dynasties, mostly distributed in the scope of the ancient village, and the structural forms are mostly brick arch cave dwellings and brick and wood beam frames. The functional types mainly include residential buildings and public buildings, which together constitute the main traditional building community of the village and reflect the unique regional style and architectural characteristics. The courtyards of the building are compact in layout and diverse and reasonable in form. There are mainly four types: courtyard of one house, as well as courtyards of two, three, and four houses. Among them, the courtyard of three houses is the main one. The roof forms mainly include flat roof, pent roof, flush gable roof, round ridge roof, and linked-up roof, of which flat roof, single slope roof, and flush gable roof account for the majority of the main forms. Building materials are mainly brick and wood. Bricks are sturdy and durable, often used for walls; while wood is easy to process and has good shock-absorption properties, commonly used for roofing and internal structures. The combination of the two makes the buildings flexible and stable with distinct regional characteristics. The number of floors in the buildings is mostly one or two stories, with a few buildings having more floors such as the four-story Bai Chi Tower. The building decoration is exquisite in shape and ingenious in design. There are mainly three types of wood carving, brick carving, and stone carving, which are mostly found on the roof ridge of the building, the sparrow brace, the pillar head, the column base, the bearing stone and the drum-shaped bearing stone, etc., showing exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful artistic effects. The decorative patterns are rich and diverse, mostly derived from nature and social life, such as auspicious clouds, flowers and plants, rhinoceros, fairy cranes, etc., with significant cultural implications and symbolic significance.

From the perspective of the cultural gene, it mainly includes five aspects: belief culture, clan culture, historical story, traditional technique, and cultural activities. The belief culture of Xiamen Village covers a variety of religions and belief systems, reflecting the rich spiritual world of the villagers. This includes Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism as well as folk beliefs in ancient saints and sages, folk gods, and nature gods. As the largest and most influential family in Xiamen Village, the Liang family has a long history and has been passed down from generation to generation. The family discipline of “loyalty, integrity, filial piety, and benevolence” reflects their traditional emphasis on moral standards and ethical education. In addition, there are many well-known historical memories among the villagers of Xiamen, as well as the preservation of traditional techniques such as embroidery, paper-cutting, and decorative steamed buns. This cultural inheritance provides rich historical memories and inherits the profound cultural heritage of Xiamen Village. Furthermore, it also has relatively diverse cultural activities, such as temple fair activities, ancestor worship activities, festival activities, village fair trades, and opera performances, which not only enrich the daily life of the villagers, but also reflect the profound cultural accumulation of the village in history, faith, economy, and society, showing the diversity of social life in the village.

3.2. Construction of the Landscape Gene Information Chain

According to the results of landscape gene identification in Xiamen Village and the above methods, the landscape gene information chain was constructed, and an example diagram was formed (Figure 5). The landscape gene information element refers to the excellent historical and cultural information of the village, which covers the core cultural content of the village, including five aspects: belief culture, clan culture, historical memories, traditional techniques, and cultural activities. The landscape gene information points are the specific material manifestations of landscape gene information elements, showcasing the rich historical and cultural connotations of Xiamen Village, mainly including two aspects: traditional building and environmental elements. The landscape gene information corridor is a transportation corridor that connects various landscape gene information points in the village and is also an important scenic tour route. The main corridor is the Dongxia Line and the Xiamen Main Street, which pass through the village from east to west, and the secondary corridor is the roadway in the village, which together form a branch-like traffic space.

The landscape gene information corridor and landscape gene information points are interwoven, forming a landscape gene information network covering the whole village. Among them, traditional landscapes are mostly distributed in the ancient village in the north of Xiamen Village, forming a coordinated zone. The modern landscapes are mostly distributed in the south and west of the village, forming a discordant zone.

3.3. Analysis of the Performance Characteristics and Genetic Characteristics of the Landscape Gene Information Chain

3.3.1. Landscape Gene Information Element Analysis

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Performance Characteristics

Belief culture is an important component of the overall village culture, and it is also a key reliance for the spiritual aspect of the villagers. It has a profound influence on the villagers’ thoughts, beliefs, and psychological needs, constructing their mental space and becoming a unique cultural symbol of the village. The belief culture of Xiamen Village is rich and diverse, showing a multi-level religious belief system and a profound traditional culture. For example, the belief in Confucius symbolizes education and moral norms; the belief in the Buddhist Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Taoist Songzi goddess represents people’s desire for health and peace; the Dragon King belief reflects the villagers’ natural worship, symbolizes good weather, and represents the psychological comfort that villagers seek in the face of natural disasters. In addition, there are also folk god beliefs based on various legendary gods in civil society. These include the god of land, symbolizing local peace, and the god of wealth, symbolizing economic security. The belief in the god of wealth is often associated with the pursuit of wealth by Shanxi Merchants during the Qing Dynasty, reflecting the commercial nature of villages. There is also faith in outstanding historical figures with remarkable achievements or noble virtues, such as Sun Simiao, a medical expert of the Tang Dynasty known as the King of Medicine, which symbolizes the elimination of disease and calamity, as well as health and longevity. Similarly, Guan Yu from the Three Kingdoms period is revered for his righteousness and loyalty, becoming a symbol of loyalty and benevolence for future generations. Meanwhile, in folk beliefs, Guan Yu is also worshipped as the God of Wealth in martial arts due to his emphasis on loyalty and trustworthiness among Shanxi Merchants. This reflects the commercial nature of villages during the Qing Dynasty.

The clan culture not only demonstrates the important blood relationship among members of village families, but also represents a cultural heritage, embodying the core values shared by the family. It reflects the historical development and cultural characteristics of the village. The Liang family is the most important clan in Xiamen Village, which has a large scale, significant influence, strong clan cohesion, and good cultural inheritance. The history of the Liang family can be traced back to the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, and their early years mainly focus on agriculture [57]. With the rise of the Wanli Tea Road during the Qing Dynasty, commercial prosperity spread along its route. The Liang family adapted to this vigorous business development, and more family members changed from agriculture to business, which improved the economy of the family and the village. Since then, with the social changes, the Liang family has gradually declined. However, they continued to adapt to social development and have persevered until today. In the long development of the Liang family, its family discipline and family style, as the core symbol of clan ideological culture, run through every aspect of the thinking and life of the family members. The four words “loyalty, integrity, filial piety, benevolence” demonstrate the emphasis on loyalty and integrity, rejection of narrow-mindedness, respect for filial piety, and cultivation of benevolent qualities. This highlights the good family spirit of the Liang clan.

The numerous historical memories of Xiamen Village are widely circulated among the people and passed down from generation to generation, becoming a part of the collective memory of the villagers. Many of these stories originate from important events and famous figures throughout the dynasties, such as “The Battle of Que Shu Valley”, reflecting the history of ancient battlefields, and the upright official Liang Zhongjing, symbolizing integrity and honesty. These stories cover various aspects of society and culture, recording important traditional culture and collective memories. They are an important resource for comprehensively understanding the historical context and cultural heritage of Xiamen Village. Embroidery, paper-cutting, and decorative steamed buns are folk traditional techniques with good inheritance in Xiamen Village. Their patterns, colors, and shapes have rich cultural connotations, showcasing the cultural heritage and artistic essence of Xiamen Village.

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Genetic Characteristics

The landscape gene information elements of Xiamen Village exhibit distinct historical inheritance characteristics, reflecting the cultural evolution and social changes of the village across different historical periods. Although the processes of modernization and urbanization have posed challenges to these traditional cultural elements, their genetic characteristics can still be traced through various manifestations.

Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, the belief system of Xiamen Village has developed into an essential part of the villagers’ spiritual life, with the construction of temples and ancestral halls. However, these belief systems have experienced a significant decline in modern times. In ancient times, the villagers sustained their belief systems through temple fairs, rituals, and ceremonies, with various belief systems intertwining to form the spiritual structure of the village. The continuation of this spiritual culture was evident in temple architecture and temple fair activities. Nevertheless, modernization has led to a reduction in temples, and the corresponding temple fairs and cultural activities have gradually faded, resulting in a weakening of the inheritance of belief culture. Especially in villagers’ daily lives, this belief culture has become increasingly sparse. This transformation is due not only to the physical destruction or abandonment of buildings but also to the gradual fading of belief systems as a form of psychological and spiritual support. For example, in the past, Xiamen Village had numerous temples and various temple fairs, but today, the reduction of these cultural resources has diminished the spiritual support for villagers, creating a noticeable temporal break in the inheritance characteristics of belief culture. While belief systems still exist, their forms and roles have undergone substantial changes compared to the past.

The clan development of Xiamen Village, especially the Liang family, reached its historical peak during the reigns of Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong in the Qing dynasty. Clan culture was passed down through clan activities, rituals, and family instructions, maintaining social cohesion through a strict clan system. However, with changes in the village’s social structure and the rise and fall of the Wanli Tea Road in the Qing dynasty, the influence of the Liang family gradually waned. This decline reflects the weak adaptability of the village’s clan culture to social and economic changes. Although the power structure and social functions of the clan have weakened during the inheritance process, core values such as loyalty, integrity, filial piety, and benevolence remain deeply embedded in the village’s cultural genes, continuing to influence the behavior and values of village residents through generational inheritance.

The historical memory of Xiamen Village carries stories of significant historical events and figures, passed down from generation to generation, forming an integral part of the village’s collective identity. Events such as the “Battle of Que Shu Valley” from the Tang dynasty have been preserved through oral tradition and written records, reflecting the village’s collective historical memory. Additionally, stories of Bu Zixia’s lectures and Liang Zhongjing’s integrity have been preserved through ancestral halls, inscriptions, and family rituals, becoming a part of the villagers’ social life and cultural identity. The genetic characteristics of this historical memory are found not only in the transmission of specific events but also in their shaping of the village’s social structure and influence on cultural identity. Although these historical memories are gradually fading in modern society, they remain a crucial component of the landscape gene elements in the village.

In the past, Xiamen Village’s traditional techniques were diverse, including clay sculpture and Heifanwan (Black Alum Pills), which played an important role in the village’s cultural life. However, over time, only a few skills such as embroidery, paper-cutting, and decorative steamed buns have been preserved. The inheritance characteristics of these crafts lie in their generational transmission and deep influence on the village’s cultural atmosphere. However, they now mainly rely on older generations for transmission, with low participation from younger generations, posing challenges to their continuation. The decline in market demand and economic benefits has further weakened the sustainability of these crafts. Additionally, cultural activities such as temple fairs and traditional opera performances, like the locally unique “Gantiao Yangge”, were once frequently held and enriched the spiritual lives of villagers. Yet, with modernization and population outflow, the frequency and scale of cultural activities have significantly decreased, and many have ceased altogether. Although some traditional rituals continue, the continuity and inheritance of these activities have clearly declined.

3.3.2. Landscape Gene Information Point Analysis

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Performance Characteristics

In terms of traditional building, the existing traditional building in Xiamen Village has a long history, according to research, dating back to the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, with typical local characteristics (Figure 6). Among these traditional buildings, the larger ones are residential buildings, which constitute the basic units of villages. If a village is a complete “organism”, then residential buildings are the “cells” that constitute this organism. The courtyard of three houses is the most typical and basic layout of the residential buildings in Xiamen Village, which is mainly composed of the main room, two side wing rooms, and the basic gate and courtyard. Due to the relatively limited flat and suitable land resources caused by the terrain of the village, the courtyard of three houses is generally small in size and typically has only one courtyard. Among them, the main house is mainly composed of two floors, with the first floor mostly being a brick arch cave dwelling structure, and the second floor being a brick and wood beam frame structure or both forming a unique “stacked cave dwelling” structure. The side wing rooms are mostly one or two stories high, with structures consisting of either cave dwelling structure or brick and wood beam frame structure.

Public buildings account for a relatively small proportion of traditional building, but as important public spaces in the village, they carry the rich cultural and clan heritage of Xiamen Village and also reflect the high level of architectural construction in the village. The existing public buildings mainly include Guan Yu Temple, Land God Temple, and Ancestor Worship Hall. Among them, Guan Yu Temple stands out with its distinctive architectural features and is the most well-preserved representative of typical public buildings in Xiamen Village. The layout of Guan Yu Temple courtyard is in the form of a courtyard of four houses, which is mainly surrounded by the main hall, the side hall, and the stage opposite the main hall. Both the main hall and side halls are two-story buildings. The main hall is constructed with brick and wood beams, while the side halls have a first floor built with brick arch cave dwelling structure and a second floor built with brick and wood beam frame structure. The main hall of Guan Yu Temple features a unique roof, which is constructed in the form of linked-up style. Specifically, it consists of a flat roof and a round ridge roof combined. This design expands the depth of the building and presents a distinctive roof form.

In terms of environmental elements, from the perspective of geomancy, Xiamen Village is near the residual vein of Lvliang Mountain to the north, which is the Main Peak of the village. The villagers also call this Main Peak the Dragon Head Hill, which is used to symbolize “The Battle of Que Shu Valley” in the Tang Dynasty. On the southeast side is Left Assistant Mountain, which is called Turtle Back Mountain by villagers because it looks like a turtle. It is opposite to Guan Yu Temple, forming a unique combination of nature and building (Figure 7). The mountain on the south side adjacent to the village is the Fronting Hill, and the one on the west side is the Right Assistant Mountain. The Fenhe River tributaries pass through the mountain and the south side of the village. The village as a whole presents a natural landscape environment surrounded by mountains and rivers, and its geomantic pattern is coordinated and unified, which enhances the overall ecological harmony and reflects the traditional philosophical thought of the unity of heaven and man.

The cultural environment has rich historical significance and cultural connotation. The stone rollers, located throughout the village, reflect the farming production and lifestyle of Xiamen Village in a certain historical period. Ancient and famous trees are mainly ancient locust trees with a century-old history. Because of their tall, luxuriant leaves, strange shapes, and long history, they not only represent the long history of the village, but are also often endowed with a mysterious aspect and are considered to be the holy places for the lodging of gods. In addition, the fort gate is an important traffic entrance and defense facility of Xiamen Ancient Fort, and an important material carrier to show the history, culture, and development of Xiamen Castle. There are four fort gates in Xiamen Village, including the First Fort Gate, the Second Fort Gate, the Third Fort Gate, and the Rear Fort Gate, of which the First Fort Gate and the Second Fort Gate are in good condition, while the Third Fort Gate and the Rear Fort Gate have varying degrees of damage and loss due to age and lack of local attention.

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Genetic Characteristics

The genetic characteristics of traditional buildings in Xiamen Village are reflected in their transmission and evolution across multiple historical periods. The existing traditional buildings can be traced back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the majority built during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi to Daoguang in the Qing dynasty. The core features of these buildings are found not only in their physical forms but, more importantly, in the unique construction techniques and regional characteristics they embody. These building features once dominated the village’s building style and had a profound impact on its design concepts, serving as a typical representation of local building culture and regional identity. Examples include the Courtyard of three houses, the Brick arch cave dwelling, and the combination of Brick and wood beam frame designs. Due to the economic prosperity brought by the Wanli Tea Road during the Qing dynasty, Xiamen Village constructed many public buildings at that time. However, only three public buildings—Guan Yu Temple, Land God Temple, and the Ancestor Worship Hall—have survived to this day. Although they retain some traditional building elements, their overall preservation is poor, and the aging and damage of building components have further weakened their ability to transmit architectural “genes” (genetic characteristics) (

Table 3. Preservation status of existing traditional buildings in Xiamen Village.

Name of Building	Preservation Status Evaluation	Preservation Status Description
Guan Yu Temple	preferably	The performance of the courtyard is relatively complete, the detailed components and decorations are well preserved, and the whole has been properly repaired.
Land God Temple	normal	The performance of the courtyard is incomplete, the walls and some components are aging and damaged.
Ancestor Worship Hall	normal	The original courtyard was destroyed, and the characteristics of the courtyard were not well inherited; some components are aging and missing.

).

Furthermore, with the passage of time and the rise of modern building practices, the core characteristics of traditional buildings have gradually weakened. The “gene” characteristics of traditional buildings have faded or even disappeared in new building practices, resulting in a disconnect and a lack of coordination between old and new styles (Figure 8). Modern construction materials such as reinforced concrete have increasingly replaced brick and timber structures, and building styles have begun to be influenced by external modern designs. Traditional features like the Brick arch cave dwelling and the Courtyard of three houses layout have been simplified or replaced. This shift is not just a change in building form but also a reflection of modern society’s neglect and diminishing appreciation for the “gene” characteristics of traditional buildings. As important carriers of village culture, traditional buildings hold the historical memory and social fabric of the village, making their preservation and effective continuation all the more urgent.

Since the formation of Xiamen Village, its natural landscape has remained consistent and endures to this day, forming an indispensable part of the village’s landscape. This natural environment not only serves as the foundation of villagers’ lives but also occupies an important place in their historical memory. In ancient times, the landscape of Xiamen Village was known as “Spring Dawn in Xiamen”, a name that encapsulated the village’s beautiful natural scenery and the villagers’ reverence for harmony with nature. The landscape of Xiamen Village is also listed as one of the “Eight Scenic Views of Lingshi”, further highlighting its cultural significance in the region. Despite the impact of modernization on the natural environment, the integration of the village with the natural landscape continues to preserve traditional cultural elements, especially key geomantic features such as Dragon Head Hill and Turtle Back Mountain. In terms of the cultural environment, a Sophora japonica, planted during the Ming dynasty and now over 400 years old, serves as a symbol of the village’s history and culture, continuing to reflect the historical lineage of Xiamen Village. The Fort Gates, built primarily during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi to Qianlong in the Qing dynasty, remain today, reflecting the construction and improvement of the ancient fortifications in Xiamen Village and the basic defensive framework of the fortress during that period. Agricultural tools such as the Stone roller and grindstone, relics of the agrarian society, represent the agricultural production methods from the mid-Ming dynasty and earlier, bearing the historical memory of the village’s economic development. However, the cultural environment in Xiamen Village now faces challenges. Some relics, such as former archways, fortress walls, and water channels, have been damaged or destroyed, making them difficult to identify. Ancient and famous trees have also suffered from natural aging, leading to concerns about their survival, and parts of the Fort Gates have deteriorated, diminishing their cultural value.

3.3.3. Landscape Gene Information Corridor Analysis

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Performance Characteristics

The current road system of Xiamen Village is mainly composed of Dongxia Line, located in the center of the village, Xiamen Main Street, within the scope of Xiamen Ancient Village, and winding lanes. Among them, Dongxia Line and Xiamen Main Street run through the whole village from east to west, occupying the core position. They are the core channel connecting the main landscape gene information points and the most significant landscape tour channel of the village, constituting the main landscape gene information corridor. Xiamen Main Street is not only the main traffic road of Xiamen Village but is also the prosperous ancient trade road in its history, witnessing the commercial trade that once prevailed in Xiamen Village. In the Qing Dynasty, it was also an important part of the tea ceremony, witnessing the prosperity and development of tea exports, commodity trade, and other important commercial activities, and becoming a cultural road carrying the historical memory of the village. The village laneways diverting outward from the Dongxia Line and Xiamen Main Street provide detailed and convenient internal traffic, connect the traditional buildings and various cultural environment elements inside the village, and act as a detailed landscape tour channel in the village, constituting a secondary landscape gene information corridor.

In general, the primary and secondary landscape gene information corridors of Xiamen Village are integrated with each other and connected organically (Figure 9). The main corridor extends along the east-west direction, showing a relatively clear linear trend, while the secondary corridor bifurcates from the main corridor, showing a flexible and changeable branch structure. The overall level is distinct, and the layout is compact. The linear “trunk” and winding “branches” together constitute the “branch-like” street traffic space. This “branch-like” landscape gene information corridor is neither a simple grid structure nor a regular linear structure, but shows a high degree of nonlinearity and organics, with complex and diversified characteristics. Furthermore, this “branch-like” organization better adapts to the terrain characteristics of the slope at the foot of Xiamen Village. Based on the main corridor, the secondary corridor naturally extends with the relief of the terrain, which not only makes the traffic space more reasonable, but also enhances the accessibility of each landscape gene information point of the village.

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Genetic Characteristics

The genetic characteristics of Xiamen Village’s landscape gene information corridor are primarily reflected in the continuity and adaptability of its historical transportation spaces. Since the mid-Ming period, Xiamen Main Street has served as the village’s core transportation space and economic hub, supporting villagers’ daily activities and functioning as an important node along the Wanli Tea Road. The street was once lined with commercial buildings, showcasing the village’s commercial prosperity. As time progressed, the construction of Dongxia Line marked a significant shift in the village’s transportation system, gradually replacing Xiamen Main Street’s core function and becoming the main area for modern public buildings and service facilities (Figure 10).

However, despite Dongxia Line becoming the new transportation axis, the traditional Xiamen Main Street has preserved its historical memory and cultural significance. Today, Xiamen Main Street and Dongxia Line together form the village’s primary landscape information corridors, reflecting the integration of old and new transportation systems. The main street continues to play a role in cultural heritage, while Dongxia Line primarily fulfills modern transportation and service functions. This evolution and adaptation of the transportation corridor system demonstrate the village’s dynamic balance between historical development and modern needs.

Since the Kangxi and Jiaqing periods of the Qing dynasty, Xiamen Village has developed a relatively complete “branch-like” street pattern, which has become a defining feature of the village’s transportation system and remains preserved to this day. Although modernization has influenced the village’s transportation, this traditional pattern has not been replaced. Instead, it has been further strengthened through integration with modern transportation needs, retaining and adapting to new development demands, showcasing the adaptability and stability of Xiamen Village’s transportation spaces.

3.3.4. Landscape Gene Information Network Analysis

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Performance Characteristics

From the perspective of the facade, most areas of Xiamen Village are located in the slope area at the foot of the residual mountain of Lvliang Mountain. The whole village is built in accordance with the terrain, making full use of the natural terrain of the mountain, optimizing land use, and forming a three-dimensional space with a strong sense of layering and layering.

From the perspective of the layout, the overall layout of Xiamen Village is relatively concentrated, the buildings are densely arranged, the road network is developed, and the distance between each part is relatively close, forming a compact space unit, and the whole is in clustered. Under the constraints of mountain slope topography, this layout helps to improve land utilization and maximize the limited buildable land resources. Moreover, the compact and centralized layout also reflects the strong social cohesion of the village. In addition, on the basis of the cluster layout, the village also extends along the ancient trade road in a band, so that the connection between the village and the main transportation lines is closer. This layout not only facilitates the historical commercial transportation and personnel flow, but also highlights the strong commercial characteristics of Xiamen Village as a traditional village along the Wanli Tea Road and retains a rich historical and cultural memory.

The core area of Xiamen Village is mainly concentrated in the northern part of the ancient village, which has relatively intact historical features and rich cultural landscape resources. It reflects the harmonious unity of historical heritage and overall style, serving as the coordinated zone of the village. In contrast, the remaining areas are mainly composed of modern buildings and facilities, which significantly lack harmony with the historical charm of Xiamen Village, thus forming the discordant zone of the village (Figure 11).

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Genetic Characteristics

The village initially formed along the foothills of the residual mountain of Lvliang Mountain, primarily located on the western side of the current ancient village. Early buildings and spatial forms were based on the natural terrain, showing a strong regional adaptability. With the migration of the Liang family and the rise of the Wanli Tea Road in the Qing dynasty, the village gradually expanded eastward from the west side, forming a more concentrated and orderly cluster layout, and extending in a strip pattern along Xiamen Main Street, an ancient commercial road. This spatial expansion process was closely related to the village’s economic function, and during this period, the overall spatial pattern of the village was reinforced and consolidated.

However, with the introduction of modern buildings and the construction of modern facilities, the unique genes of some historical landscapes and traditional buildings have gradually been eroded. The changing ratio between the Coordinated zone (47%) and the Discordant zone (53%) (

Table 4. Evaluation of the current status of coordinated and discordant zones in Xiamen Village.

Village Zone	Cover an Area (m2)	Proportion (%)	Current Status Evaluation
Coordinated zone	55,323	47	It has a relatively complete historical style, which represents the historical culture and traditional characteristics of Xiamen Village.
Discordant zone	62,386	53	Mainly composed of modern buildings and facilities, lack of coordination with the historical style of the ancient village, and forms a strong contrast with the coordinated zone.
Total village zone	117,709	100

) clearly demonstrates the weakening of the landscape gene information network and the disconnect between historical and modern landscapes. For example, modern buildings in the village no longer follow the “gene” characteristics of traditional buildings but focus more on functionality and modern aesthetics, often using reinforced concrete and standardized designs. The detailed craftsmanship of traditional buildings, such as roof structures, wooden frameworks, and layout forms, has gradually been weakened or ignored. In the process of modernization, the landscape gene information network has shifted from relying on historical landscape elements to adopting a new form driven by modern functional needs. This transformation reflects not only changes in building styles but also shifts in social structures, economic models, and cultural values.

As one of the traditional villages along the Jinzhong section of the Wanli Tea Road, with a long history and rich cultural landscape resources, Xiamen Village faces the dual challenge of protecting its historical culture while promoting modernization. The future development of the village requires exploring a balance between maintaining the integrity and continuity of its historical appearance and achieving sustainable development through modernization, aiming for the coexistence and harmony of both.

4. Discussion

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As a long-term carrier of cultural landscapes, landscape genes have maintained their core characteristics through generational inheritance. However, the case of Xiamen Village shows that the continuity of the landscape gene information chain is gradually being weakened. Some landscape gene information elements once played an essential role in integrating the social and cultural structure of the village, but with the transformation of modern lifestyles, the functionality of these cultural elements has gradually diminished. Simultaneously, the roles of landscape gene information points and corridors in cultural expression and connection have gradually faded, directly impacting the effectiveness of cultural inheritance within the landscape gene information chain. Against the backdrop of increasing modern pressures on the village’s landscape gene information network, the disconnection between traditional cultural landscapes and modern demands has become more pronounced. This disconnect not only weakens the inheritance of landscape genes but also leads to the gradual erosion of the village’s cultural landscape integrity.

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Despite these challenges, Xiamen Village’s landscape gene information chain still demonstrates potential adaptability. While the traditional buildings and street patterns have been influenced by modern expansion, the preservation of traditional elements in the core area of the ancient village provides a foundation for the adaptability of the landscape genes. Additionally, cultural identity still persists among some villagers, indicating that the adaptation of landscape gene information elements has not come to a halt but is gradually adjusting and adapting to modern development. This adaptive adjustment represents not a mere continuation of landscape genes but rather a redefinition of their function through transformation and functional reconstruction. The push for modernization may create opportunities for the regeneration of certain landscape genes. Through proper management and preservation, historical cultural landscapes can be retained not only in form but also through functional adjustments to meet contemporary needs. This suggests that landscape genes need not rely solely on static protection; dynamic inheritance and functional adaptation could offer new vitality for the continuation and development of the landscape gene information chain.

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In the future, the study and preservation of traditional village cultural landscapes should focus on their dynamic evolution and functional renewal, rather than solely on the static preservation of material forms. The value of cultural landscapes should not be confined to historical testimony but must connect their core genetic characteristics to modern societal needs. Particularly for traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road, the effective transmission of cultural landscapes not only relates to the preservation of numerous cultural heritages but will also determine their role and status in modern society to a certain extent. For this reason, it is essential to rely on the support of transdisciplinary analysis, including the involvement of geoarchaeology, religious archaeology, and ethnoarchaeology. These disciplines can provide new perspectives, revealing the complex interactions between cultural landscapes and natural and social environments, particularly in the context of historical change and modern development. Cross-disciplinary research helps deepen our understanding of the evolution of cultural landscapes, providing theoretical support for the regeneration and functional inheritance of landscape genes in the future, ensuring the flexibility and precision of traditional village preservation strategies to meet the demands of modernization.

5. Conclusions

Based on the perspective of the landscape gene information chain, this paper conducted a systematic analysis of the cultural landscape of Xiamen Village, revealing its typical performance and genetic characteristics. The main conclusions are as follows:

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The overall cultural landscape of Xiamen Village has been well preserved, inheriting a rich history and cultural heritage. The four types of landscape gene characteristics—environment, layout, architecture, and culture—are distinctive and significant, collectively shaping the unique cultural landscape of Xiamen Village. At the same time, they reflect the typical landscape features of traditional villages along the Wanli Tea Road, offering high representativeness and research value.

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As the core link of its landscape gene information, Xiamen Village’s landscape gene information chain not only showcases a wealth of historical accumulation but also plays a crucial role in connecting and integrating the village’s cultural landscape as a whole. The landscape gene information elements and points express the village’s multi-layered and regionally distinctive historical inheritance through cultural attributes and material forms. The landscape gene information corridors, with their “branch-like” structure, effectively connect the village’s main landscape information points, enhancing the spatial accessibility of the village and ensuring the interconnection and continuity of the cultural landscape. The landscape gene information network reflects the dynamic interaction between tradition and modernity, demonstrating the village’s ability to maintain a certain degree of coordination and integrity in the face of modern demands.

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The landscape gene information chain of Xiamen Village exhibits a relationship of coexistence between inheritance and change in its genetic characteristics. While some landscape genes have faced numerous challenges brought about by modernization, they have not entirely lost their core traits. Furthermore, the research results indicate that the transmission of the landscape gene information chain is not static but is continuously adjusting and reconstructing within an evolving social and cultural context. This dynamic trend reflects the adaptability and flexibility of the village’s landscape genes in response to modern needs.