Objective: This study aims to examine the global characteristics of mixed-reality cultural heritage research, identify the primary research hotspots and theoretical foundations of this field, and explore emerging trends in future development based on current research. Methods: Research data and literature on mixed-reality cultural heritage, collected from the Web of Science database, were analyzed using bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Knowledge maps were generated to visualize scientific output by year, country, institution, author, and keyword clustering. These maps facilitated a systematic analysis and visualization of the research lineage within the field. Results: The findings indicate a rising trend in the number of publications within this domain, with Italy, China, and the United Kingdom leading in contributions. Key research hotspots include Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration Science, cultural heritage management and social value, geographic context and Geographic Context and Digital Display of Cultural Heritage, as well as Interactive Experiences and Innovative Dissemination of Cultural Heritage. Conclusion: Mixed-reality cultural heritage research is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature. Future trends point to the integration of multi-sensory interactive technologies for reconstructing cultural heritage experiences, digital narratives for advancing cultural dissemination, and Virtual Humans Transforming Digital Cultural Heritage. These innovative directions promise to expand the possibilities for the preservation, presentation, and dissemination of cultural heritage.