Wudangzhao at Baotou, Inner Mongolia: Production of space and meaning change in the context of modern China tourism

This study is basic research that uses qualitative methods, focusing on the production of space and the change of meaning, with Wudangzhao in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, as a case study. The research finds that Wudangzhao originated under the Qing Dynasty’s "governing frontiers through religion" policy, becoming a key religious and political hub that connected the Qing court with Inner Mongolia. Over time, it transformed from a political-religious center into a modern cultural heritage site. During the Qing period, its architecture, rituals, and organization reflected imperial authority, serving as an important node in frontier governance. Later, Wudangzhao underwent depoliticization, political reintegration, and culturalization, evolving into a symbol of national heritage. In contemporary tourism, Wudangzhao has been re-produced as a complex cultural space that integrates religious, cultural, economic, and political functions, illustrating the ongoing transformation and creative continuation of traditional religious heritage in modern China. The study highlights that religious spaces are not only places of belief but also serve political and administrative purposes, with their meanings continuously reshaped by changing state power and policies. Wudangzhao exemplifies this process, evolving from a political-religious hub into a composite space of religion, culture, and tourism, ultimately becoming a representative AAAA-level cultural tourism site.