Integrated zoning of wellness tourism resources and economic valuation of summer-retreat wellness climate resources in mountainous cities: a case study of Chongqing, China.

Mountainous regions hold considerable wellness tourism potential, backed by abundant ecological and climatic resources. Yet research has largely focused on spatial zoning rather than linking spatial patterns to the economic valuation of ecological resources. This gap constrains evidence-based planning and hinders effective industrial conversion of ecological products. This study therefore develops an integrated framework that combines citywide wellness tourism resource zoning with Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP)-based economic valuation, using Chongqing, China, as a case study. We constructed a 13-indicator evaluation system encompassing natural resources and supporting facilities, integrating meteorological observations, satellite remote sensing products, and socio-economic data. The mismatch was quantified with a standardized spatial mismatch index. Based on zoning outputs, the Three Gorges Cool Capital-a high-altitude summer-retreat area in northeastern Chongqing-was selected for value accounting across regulating, cultural, and wellness services. The results reveal a pronounced spatial mismatch: high-quality natural wellness resources concentrate in the northeastern mountainous region, whereas supporting facilities cluster in the central-western urban corridor. Resource-leading mismatch covers 57.0% of the municipal area, whereas facility-leading mismatch covers 21.5%. In 2023, the total economic value of summer-retreat wellness climate resources in the Three Gorges Cool Capital reached CNY 15.454 billion, with regulating services contributing 85.7%, cultural services 9.7%, and wellness services 4.6%. Notably, this ecological value exceeded local GDP by more than fourfold, underscoring high ecological endowment but insufficient industrial conversion. These findings provide a scientific basis for differentiated wellness tourism planning, targeted infrastructure investment, and ecological product value realization in mountainous cities worldwide.