Cutting-edge tourism platform opens new chapter for traditional art

With a light tap on the screen, the 55-kilometer-long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shimmers to life; waves from the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province crash toward the viewer; a lunar rocket lifts off, inviting the audience into the vastness of space.

These immersive experiences were made possible through 20 augmented reality digital art pieces themed around China's national megaprojects, unveiled on Aug 22 in Beijing.

The Exploitation of the Works of Nature digital art and cultural tourism launch ceremony was hosted by Cloudverse, a digital cultural tourism platform, and organized by xinhuanet, Xinhua News Agency's website.

It showcased how cutting-edge technologies, such as AR interactive displays, blockchain-based certification, and digital art auctions, are breathing new life into traditional art and cultural heritage.

"Under the Digital China strategic vision, the deep integration of digital art, cultural tourism, and artificial intelligence is already reshaping our world," says Tan Yuping, chairman of the supervisory board from xinhuanet, in his opening address at the launch ceremony.

"From digital conservation to immersive experiences, technology is redefining how we engage with culture and history," Tan adds.

The artworks are based on the original heavy-color landscape paintings by artist Li Heng, who incorporates modern engineering elements, ranging from bridges and high-speed railways to space missions, into classical Chinese aesthetic traditions.

Through AR, what were once static images now unfold dynamically, allowing the audience not only to see but also to experience the grandeur of the country's most ambitious projects.

"The Cloudverse digital cultural tourism platform has given my traditional paintings new wings with high technology," Li says.

"This marks not only a new chapter in artistic exploration but also opens the door to the era of digital art."

In addition to the exhibition, Cloudverse announced two major initiatives in collaboration with Li. One is an AR digital art campus tour that will bring the augmented artworks to 50 universities nationwide. The other is a cultural tourism study tour that will organize visits to real-world megaprojects, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and high-speed rail hubs.

The study program will combine physical travel with digital art appreciation, offering participants a multilayered understanding of both the technological and cultural significance of these developments, according to the organizers.

"These grand projects are not just symbols of national strength. They also carry the dreams of rejuvenation that have inspired Chinese people for generations," Tan notes.

The event emphasized a growing trend in China's cultural tourism sector — the use of digital technology to create more interactive, educational, and emotionally resonating experiences.

By merging engineering marvels with artistic expression, the project offers a new model for how nations may reimagine cultural communication in the digital age.

Chen Ruijun, former discipline inspection secretary of China State Decoration Group, a contributor to national infrastructure projects, emphasizes that such initiatives represent not only technological innovation but also the contemporary embodiment of China's enduring craftsmanship and cultural spirit.

"From the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, these projects reflect both engineering excellence and a profound sense of shared human progress," Chen states.

"What we are witnessing today is a continuation of that spirit — using digital tools to bring cultural heritage to life and make it accessible to all," he says.

By integrating monumental national achievements with dynamic digital expression, platforms like Cloudverse ensure that China's historical legacy and modern accomplishments are not only preserved but also reimagined for global audiences, he explains.

To ignite public enthusiasm for creative expression and expand the global influence of the digital cultural tourism system, the Discover Beautiful China — Cloudverse Global Tourism Promoter Recruitment Competition was officially launched.

The competition is open to all creators with the ability to produce cultural content. Participants are encouraged to explore and share regional cultural stories under the main theme of "Beautiful China", using diverse formats such as short videos, livestreams, graphic content, and AR scripts.

Cloudverse will use an intelligent matching algorithm to provide outstanding works with resources, such as traffic support and commercial collaboration opportunities.

Award-winning creators will receive official certification and be included in the tourism promoter talent pool, gaining priority access to promotional projects commissioned by the government and enterprises.