Historic urban areas occupying an essential position in the context of urban heritage preservation and sustainable development for possessing unique regional characteristics. However, its complex crowd structure and behaviour formed in the course of history presents challenges to traditional urban space research methods. The study aims to propose an integrated approach of conventional research method and quantitative technique, focusing on double validation of spatial characteristics that impact crowd behaviour of historic urban areas. By focusing on historic spots with residential and functional land-use around, the study takes historic and cultural district in Kunming, China to conduct analysis of spatial patterns and road conditions. The findings demonstrate the connection between road conditions and individual choices, explaining the patterns of crowd activity in historic urban areas. The study provides an innovative methodological perspective for the research of historic urban areas, highlighting potential spatial conflict between indigenous residents and large numbers of tourists, which set forward the requirements for timely and adaptive scientific spatial planning for historic districts.