Immersive Virtual Reality for Digital Cultural Tourism

Virtual reality (VR) technology enhances digital cultural tourism by providing immersive, multi-sensory experiences that traditional online platforms cannot match. A study on the Suzhou Classical Garden (SCG) demonstrates that integrating advanced 3D modeling, ink wash art rendering, and AI-driven interactive features—such as voice narration and dialogue systems using ERNIE-Bot and GPT-SoVITS—significantly improves user engagement and authenticity. User feedback confirmed high satisfaction with visual design and interactivity, though further development of virtual characters is needed to refine the experience. This approach bridges technological constraints and sensory limitations, offering a more authentic alternative to physical visits while preserving cultural heritage.

Zhang, M., Jin, N., Xiang, N., & Ji, C. (2024). Immersive Virtual Reality for Digital Cultural Tourism. Proceedings of the 2024 International Conference on Virtual Reality Technology, 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1145/3711496.3711503