**5. Conclusions**

This study aims to elucidate the spatio–temporal characteristics of a typical ancient temple in different historical periods through two spatial syntax models. The causal mechanisms between spatial design and spatial configuration are revealed quantitatively. It is convinced that the original hierarchical relationships among the temple buildings remained almost unchanged during the three periods. After the redesign and reconstruction, the centrality of the spatial composition of the temple has been shifting to the east, while the topological characteristics of some specific spaces have dramatically increased. Different local spatial functionalities are proved to be well arranged in the developments of the temple's construction, which creates an aesthetic experience for visitors through the closure-openness contrast in both eye level and knee level. The previously existing center of spatial configuration has been extended to the other local spaces, allowing visitors to easily comprehend the global spatial configuration. We found that the spatio–temporal changes had an impact on visitors' itineraries in the temple heritage. Overall, the research provides theoretical foundations and suggestions for sustainable conservation, redesign, reactivation, and management of typical temple spaces, while further relative studies can be conducted to improve the applicability of the spatial syntax models in further studies.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, X.D. and K.Z.; methodology, X.D. and K.Z.; software, K.Z. and T.L.; resources, W.W. and T.L.; writing—original draft preparation, K.Z. and T.L.; writing—review and editing, W.W. and X.D.; visualization, K.Z. and T.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (project #52278083) and the Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Research Planning Fund (project #18YJAZH103).

**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.

**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.

**Data Availability Statement:** All relevant data are included in the paper.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest (including appropriate disclosures).

#### **References**


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