Huaihua launches smart tourism program with immersive cultural experiences

Illuminated riverside scenery sets the stage for Ballad of the Blessed Land. [Photo/Hunan Daily]

Huaihua in Hunan province has launched several immersive experience projects that integrate culture, technology and tourism in preparation for the 5th Hunan Tourism Development Conference. Its cultural tourism offerings cover three core sectors: smart tourism services, digitalized ancient villages and nighttime light and boat shows.

A smart tourism service center near Huaihua South High-speed Railway Station is set to open in early September. This center will house exhibition screens displaying cultural and tourism resources from all 13 counties and districts. It will also include customized shuttle service zones and interactive experiences, including artificial intelligence costume changing and augmented reality food demonstrations.

An upcoming mini-program named "One-Code Tour in Huaihua" will streamline online and offline services, allowing visitors to access travel information, book tours and purchase local agricultural products with a single code.

Jingping Ancient Village, known as China's No 1 Village of Court Music, has introduced a traditional music experience hall that utilizes projection and radar sensing to showcase 10 classic Chinese musical instruments. At the traditional music experience hall, an AI-powered avatar of Pan Shiquan, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) music theorist, offers interactive insights, while nearby, an AR-enhanced post station recreates ancient courier routes and scenes from a private school.

Ballad of the Blessed Land, China's first large-scale immersive boat show themed on traditional auspicious culture, has completed its trial voyage on the Wushui River. The 5.2-kilometer, 50-minute show combines riverside lighting and on-board performances to highlight Huaihua's history and cultural legacy. The project is scheduled for public opening in mid-September.