Immersive exhibition experience showcases China's ancient grotto art

Art lovers in Beijing have the chance to marvel at the magnificent beauty of grotto art by visiting an immersive exhibition currently underway at the National Museum of China.

Grotto art is an integral part of China's ancient cultural heritage, with unique historical, artistic and scientific value. As a distinct facet of ancient Chinese civilization, cave art reflects the complex process of fusion and innovation between local and foreign arts, showing its diversity, openness and inclusiveness across time and geographical space.

"Magnificence and Grandeur," an immersive exhibition experience of grotto art, covers an area of around 1,500 square meter and features huge digital installations with blooming lotuses as the main design motif. Artists have combined digital rendering techniques with 3D digital mapping and AI algorithm technology to present and interpret the artistic styles and rich connotations of the Kezil Thousand-Buddha Caves, the Mogao Grottoes, the Maijishan Grottoes, the Yungang Grottoes and the Longmen Grottoes from a unique and contemporary perspective. Divided into eight different zones, they collectively form a panoramic, immersive environment that offers a fresh interpretation of grotto art.

The expansive digital installations and fully sensory interactive galleries are highlights of the experience. Many of the cave art scenes have been enhanced through contemporary aesthetic concepts. This is just one example of how a national smart tourism project can explore immersive experiential spaces.

Smart tourism, which involves the integration of digital technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence with creative cultural elements at tourist destinations, allows people to learn about and appreciate culture through immersive interaction – a field that has been gaining in popularity in China in recent years.

A survey conducted by the China Tourism Academy found that more than 80 percent of respondents were willing to invest more time and money to experience new technology in travel and tourism.