Opinion：Digital efforts help preserve cultural heritage

the World Internet Conference (WIC)·Digital Silk Road Development Forum

The digital technologies in museums in Quanzhou unfolds the beauty of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Through interactive displays, digital reconstructions and expanded virtual access, museums here are exploring new ways to bring the past into meaningful dialogue with the present. Through technology, what was once a passive viewing experience has become participatory, experiential, and shareable.

At the Quanzhou Maritime Museum, one flagship exhibit, “The Dream of Zayton” , transports visitors into a reconstructed 13th-century port through immersive visuals, re-creating the daily lives and global trade routes of Song-era seafarers. “My daughter was instantly fascinated when she saw the animated ships and people in the exhibition,” said Liu Jing, a visitor from Nanjing. “It made the past alive for both of us.”

Part of “The Dream of Zayton”

The digitalized museum brings the Maritime Silk Road to life for new generations both at home and abroad, by connecting history with innovation and fostering deeper cultural understanding. As China’s only city recognized as a World Heritage Site for its maritime legacy, Quanzhou is now using digital means to integrate museum-based research into digital educational programs. 

“This animation turns museum knowledge into an interactive video experience, allowing children to learn through play. With accompanying hands-on activities, it really engages the kids — the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive，”said Lin Yingmin, a guide at Quanzhou Maritime Museum. 

“The Talking Ship”: A flagship interactive course from the Quanzhou Maritime Museum

As part of a broader nationwide shift, museums across China — including those in Quanzhou — are turning to digital platforms like panoramic VR to transcend physical boundaries and expand access to culture.

One of the most notable examples is the “E-Dunhuang” project, which has completed high-resolution scanning and modeling of nearly all the grottoes (more than 492). This initiative enables global audiences to explore Buddhist art remotely. These projects are not only improving the precision and reach of heritage protection—they are reshaping how cultures are encountered, understood and remembered.

The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang boast a history of over 1,659 years. The exquisite murals and painted sculptures within them are crafted from earth, straw, wood and other fragile materials, making them highly susceptible to damage.

“These murals and sculptures are like elderly people — each bears its own ailments to varying degrees,” said Fan Jinshi, director of the Dunhuang Academy. “We cannot sacrifice heritage preservation for the sake of tourism, nor can we shut out visitors in the name of protection. We must strike a balance — ensuring reasonable use under the principle of preservation first.”

“E-Dunhuang” project

In Shanxi province, the 969-year-old Yingxian Wooden Pagoda—the world’s tallest and oldest wooden structure—faces constant structural threats.In 2023, Tsinghua and Lenovo launched an AI-powered project to digitally reconstruct Yingxian Pagoda, creating a precise virtual twin to safeguard its structure, design, and historical integrity. 

Gu Yucai, president of the China Cultural Relics Academy and former deputy director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, emphasized in his opening remarks at the 2024 Conference on the Digitalization of Cultural Heritage that cultural heritage is a national treasure, and digital transformation presents new opportunities for the preservation sector.

He underscored the importance of harnessing new technologies and innovative methods to document and carry forward Chinese civilization, serve the public, and showcase the unique characteristics of Chinese culture.