中国系统地进行旅游地理学的研究,是从80年代初开始的。十余年的发展,使旅游地理学科呈现一派勃勃生机,具有一定水平的旅游地理学教材不断问世,为旅游地理学的研究和教学起到了一定促进作用。

The paper discusses the formation and regional structure development of the key settlement pattern above county level in Guanzhong Area. It points out that the real formation of key set tlemtnt pattern in Guanzhong Area was marked by the county system practised by Qin dynasty, and this pattern had formed completely a two levels system including the primary city and county level settlements until the unification of Qin Dynasty. From East Han Dynasty on, rank structure of key settlements in Guanzhong Area developed gradually from two levels to three levels; in spatial distribution, the key settlement pattern show changes from concentration along Weihe River to political regional balance, and changes to the industrial and commercial city after Tang Dynasty. Also, being the primary city, Xi'an (Chang'an) had changed in the regional structure, of which the most notable was the oppsite change in spatial site of political power core and market area.