Cultural Relics Digitization Expands Global Audience Access

China is making significant strides in the digitization of its cultural relics, introducing applications such as 'Yunyou Great Wall' to provide virtual visits. This initiative aims to enhance access and appreciation of the nation's rich cultural heritage.

With an increasing array of antiques and cultural relics becoming accessible online, advanced technological solutions like virtual reality are playing a crucial role in preserving the history and art of ancient Chinese architecture. Experts in the industry are emphasizing that digitalization is essential for the future preservation of these invaluable artifacts.

The launch of the Great Wall virtual travel application 'Yunyou Great Wall' took place during a collaborative press conference led by People's Daily, the China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation, and the Tencent Charity Foundation. This application exemplifies the innovative use of technology in safeguarding China’s cultural treasures.

Created by researchers from the School of Architecture at Tianjin University and other institutions, the app employs cloud gaming technology, offering a streaming service that facilitates the delivery of high-quality content. This results in an immersive and interactive digital representation of the Great Wall, which is a significant symbol of China's civilization.

The Great Wall has endured thousands of years of natural erosion, causing some sections to suffer from considerable damage. According to Gu Yucai, Deputy Director General of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, certain parts of this historic site are on the brink of disappearing, which underscores the pressing need for preservation.

Gu reiterated the government's commitment to protecting the Great Wall by enforcing relevant regulations, emphasizing the importance of public engagement in understanding and preserving the essence of this monumental structure.

The protection of the Great Wall is viewed as a systematic project, necessitating societal involvement. Gu noted that the government has consistently prioritized the Great Wall in cultural heritage protection endeavors, and that technology is vital in this field. He highlighted that the app serves as an important technical tool to bolster the safeguarding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Liu Yuzhu, Chairman of the China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation, also remarked on how the government has actively supported the digital preservation of culture. He noted that the advancements made with the Great Wall app have encouraged comprehensive societal participation.

Digitalization has emerged as a prevalent trend, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting museums and cultural institutions to develop online exhibitions in order to connect with audiences.

For instance, the creators of the AR Museum app have dedicated years to leveraging digital solutions to overcome the limitations associated with physical visits to museums. This approach aims to expand access to cultural heritage.

Users are transported into vivid virtual experiences through devices like VR goggles, bringing paintings and antiques to life. This dialogue around digitalization symbolizes an understanding that while digitization enhances the protection of cultural relics, it cannot replace the authentic experience of engaging with historical artifacts.

Yang Xiaohua, co-founder of AR Museum, reflected on the limitations of physical descriptions associated with cultural relics, acknowledging that vast historical narratives cannot be adequately conveyed in brief summaries. They reached out to museums nationwide to collaborate on creating a comprehensive application displaying detailed information on displayed relics.