People can now appreciate rare Russian art treasures without having to travel abroad, thanks to the recently opened State Russian Museum's virtual branch in Qingdao's Shinan district.

The State Russian Museum opens virtual branch in Shinan district, Qingdao. [Photo/Qingdao News]

The virtual branch is the first of its kind in China, and has been authorized by the State Russian Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of Russian art in a unique architectural complex in St Petersburg's historic center.

Its collection has approximately 400,000 exhibits spanning over a thousand years, including all key periods and movements in Russian art history, as well as all major types and genres, trends, and schools of Russian art from the X to the XXI centuries.

The unveiling ceremony for the virtual branch is held on June 9. [Photo/Qingdao News]

The unveiling ceremony for the virtual branch was held on June 9 at the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member Technology Transfer Center in Shinan.

The virtual branch will integrate multiple cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality, holographic projection, and digital twin to present the top Russian artworks thousands of kilometers away to audiences in Qingdao, relying on the digital creative technology advantages of locally based high-tech enterprises.

More than 10 full-size replicas of Russian national treasure oil paintings are on display during the unveiling ceremony. [Photo/Qingdao News]