The digitalization of intangible cultural heritage took center stage at the 8th China Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Expo, which began Oct 17 and will go until Oct 21.

Innovative technology played a key role in revitalizing these traditions, creating a vibrant cultural experience in Jinan, a city rich in cultural heritage, where tradition meets modernity and intangible heritage interacts dynamically with smart technologies.

At the expo, ancient cultural heritage was transformed from fragmented memories and static artifacts into lifelike experiences, thanks to cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, big data, and artificial intelligence.

In Baidu Encyclopedia's AI exhibition area, visitors can upload a photo to transform themselves into many traditional characters or try on various Peking Opera costumes.

A visitor takes a picture of an AI-generated photo of them wearing zanhua (a Chinese-style floral headdress). [Photo/Jinan Daily]

Su Gaofeng, a lecturer at the College of Arts of Beijing Union University, introduced a digital experience system for the traditional craft of cloisonné. With interactive electronic sand tables and AR experiences, visitors can explore the decorative patterns, cultural significance, and production processes of cloisonné in an engaging way.

The "Kite Flying" project offers an interactive experience that lets visitors feel the simulated tension of a kite string, creating the sensation of transcending time and space alongside the kite.

A visitor experiences the fictitious kite flying project at the 8th China ICH Expo in Jinan. [Photo/Jinan Daily]

The ICH expo not only highlights the diversity and richness of intangible heritage but also explores modern expressions of this culture through advanced technologies, providing strong momentum for its sustainable development.