NANJING — By donning digital actuality goggles, guests are immediately “transported” again to the Qin Dynasty’s (221-206 BC) underground mausoleum, the place the silent Terracotta Warriors appear to come back to life earlier than their eyes.
And in a Mars-themed base, youngsters clad in simulated astronaut fits step right into a mock Mars capsule, to embark on an exciting “space mission”.
These are usually not scenes from a sci-fi film, however real-life “tech tourism “experiences unfolding at scenic spots across China.
The steady evolution of applied sciences like synthetic intelligence and digital actuality is spawning a wealth of recent cultural and tourism experiences which might be perceptible, interactive and expansive.
From mild reveals and drone shows to VR experiences and interactions with robots, tech-driven scenes crafted by scenic spots and cultural venues have gotten must-visit check-in factors for vacationers to “touch the future”.
An trade report has predicted that China’s sensible tourism market will surpass 1.4 trillion yuan ($197.6 billion) by 2025.
Science museums and standard science venues have additionally turn out to be prime selections for household journeys. At the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum in South China, an exhibition exploring the universe permits children to “roam” in area, whereas the Qingdao Science and Technology Museum in East China invitations youngsters to placed on VR goggles — thereby changing into “underwater archaeologists”.
More immersive science tourism locations are additionally gaining traction. The FAST telescope, the world’s largest single-dish and most delicate radio telescope, positioned in Southwest China’s Guizhou province, gives a novel mix of expertise and pure magnificence. Also, the rocket viewing platform in Wenchang, South China’s Hainan province, attracts greater than 100,000 spectators for every launch.
“I specifically took my son to see a rocket launch this summer. He’s fascinated by aerospace and even talks about traveling to space in the future,” stated Wang Xin, a mother or father from East China’s Jiangsu province.
According to knowledge from on-line journey platform Ctrip, high-tech and heavy trade examine excursions emerged as a darkish horse throughout this 12 months’s National Day holidays — with aerospace and automotive industrial excursions accounting for over 20 % of associated searches.
“The integration of technology and cultural tourism transforms abstract technological concepts into tangible cultural symbols, allowing visitors to broaden their horizons and enjoy themselves subtly,” stated Li Guangchun, an industrial economic system researcher at Yangzhou University.
“Modern tourists increasingly seek high emotional value and experiential consumption. Highly interactive tech scenes are becoming a new essential for tourism development, with many projects precisely catering to Gen Z’s preference for social check-ins and their growing appetite for immersive cultural experiences,” stated Wu Guoping, head of the tourism industrial affiliation of Wuxi, a metropolis in Jiangsu.
For the youth, “tech tourism “serves as a bridge connecting data and curiosity.
“Interactive activities launched by many science museums make complex technology accessible and tangible, which is particularly effective in igniting teenagers’ passion for science,” stated Guo Zhe, curator on the China Science and Technology Museum.
“Travel used to be about hurried sightseeing. Now, the needs of tourists are taken more seriously, and travel has shifted from passive acceptance to active participation,” stated Li Ranran, a vacationer from Nanjing.
Experts famous that “tech tourism “is evolving from a distinct segment exploration to a mass consumption pattern, changing into a major engine for activating the cultural tourism market and boosting consumption. For instance, industrial tourism accounts for a mean of 10 to fifteen % of the worldwide whole tourism income, whereas in China, it is at present lower than 5 %, indicating huge development potential.
“When technology ceases to be just a supporting tool and becomes the core engine driving changes in cultural tourism, a new blue ocean for the industry, characterized by innovation, will undoubtedly emerge beyond the traditional landscape of mountains and rivers,” Li stated.
Xinhua