Discover how AI glasses, augmented reality and digital twins are helping visitors explore and protect China’s 5,000-year-old Liangzhu heritage.
Visitors to the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, can now explore a civilisation dating back more than 5,000 years with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and digital technology.
The technologies were among the cultural applications showcased during the fourth Liangzhu Forum, held in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, from October 18th to 20th. They offer new ways to experience Liangzhu culture and help protect the archaeological site.
At Liangzhu Museum, AI-powered smart glasses provide an interactive guide to the exhibits. As visitors look at an artefact, relevant historical explanations appear in their field of view. The glasses support multiple languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Thai and Italian, as well as Chinese.
Visitors can also ask questions by voice and engage in follow-up conversations. This makes the experience more interactive than a conventional audio guide.
Another project takes visitors outdoors to the archaeological park. Along a 300-metre route in the Mojiaoshan area, scanning a QR code with a mobile phone activates six AR scenes. Combining AR, AI dialogue and large language models, the experience reconstructs aspects of life in ancient Liangzhu, including pottery-making, palace construction and ceremonial rituals.
Technology is also being used behind the scenes to protect the site.
Yuhang District has developed the “Liangzhu Ruins 5000+” digital platform, which covers the 162-square-kilometre protected area. Its digital twin system allows staff to simulate weather-related disasters and prepare response plans in advance. This helps shift the focus from repairing damage after it occurs to preventing it in the first place.
Meanwhile, autonomous vehicles equipped with automated commentary offer visitors another way to explore the archaeological park. They combine transport with information about the site’s history.
The projects show how digital technology can make ancient heritage more accessible while supporting its preservation. At Liangzhu, these tools are being used both to enrich the visitor experience and to protect the archaeological remains for the future.
Additional reporting by CNS.
If you liked this article, why not read: New Discovery at Liangzhu: Clues to a 5,000-Year-Old Royal Cemetery
