Digitizing History: How China is Using High Technology to Preserve its Cultural Heritage

China has been making significant efforts to preserve its cultural heritage with the aid of high technology. One such initiative is the digitization of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, a 1,600-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Gobi Desert in Dunhuang City.  By creating digital versions of the grotto temples, murals, and sculptures, these splendid cultural heritage items can be reproduced and shared with the world. The digital database, called Digital Dunhuang, has an online resource database that provides high-resolution digital resources and virtual tours of 30 Dunhuang caves.  The English version of the platform has been accessed by users in 78 countries worldwide and has received over 15.6 million views. Furthermore, a cultural heritage digital platform supported by blockchain technology was launched, providing people worldwide with 6,500 pieces of high-definition materials.  Additionally, China's first multi-field coupling lab on murals and ancient ruins protection has been put to use in international collaborative research. Located in the city of Dunhuang, the lab can simulate different conditions that murals and ancient ruins are exposed to and collect direct data for future research.  With a controlled environment to its merit, the lab is expected to play a significant role in cultural heritage protection across China. By using high technology, China is preserving its cultural heritage, making it accessible to people worldwide, and ensuring its protection for future generations.