Digital creativity brings new life to Changsha's cultural heritage

Changsha is accelerating the integration of culture and technology, using digital innovation to transform its rich heritage into new cultural formats and economic strengths.

At Hunan Museum, immersive experiences bring history to life. "Art of Life", an immersive digital exhibition co-developed with Harvard, drew 110,000 visitors in just two months. The SumHi App, developed by Mango Digital & Intelligent, provides 3D views of over 78,000 relics, creating a "24/7 online museum".

Visitors view the immersive digital exhibition Art of Life–Mawangdui Han Dynasty  (206 BC–AD 220)  Culture at Hunan Museum. [Photo/New Hunan]

Traditional arts are also going digital. For instance, Xiang embroidery has a "digital embroiderer" virtual IP, which brings centuries-old techniques into the metaverse. Hunan Huagu Opera Theater has also gained popularity, attracting millions of young viewers online with its holographic projection show, New Liu Hai Cuts Firewood.

Central to this digital transformation is Malanshan Video Cultural and Creative Industrial Park. This venue provides a solid technological foundation for audio-visual production, offering creators easy access to AI tools for video and music generation.

Across the city, new "technology plus tourism" experiences are emerging. Highlights include the augmented reality-enhanced XREAL planet, the world's first AR experience center, and immersive art spaces that blend Changsha's 3,000-year heritage with modern innovations.

Backed by dedicated funds like the "Malanshan Startup Program" and a provincial culture-tech investment fund, the city is building an ecosystem where tradition and technology can thrive together.