Understanding Spatial Marketing and Cultural Experience in Chinese Classical Gardens: A Case of the Humble Administrator’s Garden

This study examines the dynamics of spatial marketing and cultural experience in Chinese classical gardens through an empirical case of the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou. In the context of rapidly expanding digital tourism, we propose the Cultural Technological Experience (CTE) Triad Model to explain how spatial aesthetics, visitor engagement, and social media propagation jointly shape cultural identity and visitor satisfaction in heritage environments. Using 436 valid survey responses and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the findings demonstrate that all three dimensions exert significant positive effects on visitor satisfaction (p< .01), with visitor engagement exerting the strongest effect (β= .45). Cultural identity functions as a key mediator that transforms sensory impressions and participatory experiences into symbolic meaning, thereby elevating satisfaction. Theoretically, the study integrates Eastern spatial aesthetics with digital communication and the experience economy, extending current understandings of heritage-based experiential formation.Practically, the results underscore the value of participatory cultural programming, VR/AR-supported immersive interpretation, and high-quality user-generated content to reconcile authenticity with digital interaction. Although limited by on-site sampling and a cross-sectional design, the study provides a transferable analytical framework and actionable implications for the sustainable digital revitalization of Chinese classical gardens.