The fifth Yangtze River Delta (YRD) International Cultural Industries Expo, held in Shanghai from Nov 22 to 25, has witnessed the city's Lin-gang Special Area steal the show with its impressive 1,000-square-meter exhibition booth adorned in a blue theme. Integrating cutting-edge technology with cultural tourism projects, the Lin-gang booth enabled visitors to immerse themselves in a digital world.

Crowds of visitors gather together at the Lin-gang Special Area booth. [Photo/WeChat ID: gh_80c82aabe5df]

Visitors were not mere spectators but participants, experiencing an elevation in their visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory senses. By wearing VR headsets, they were transported to the exhibition hall of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, where they could explore celestial motions up close. Through metaverse technology, the entire museum was converted into a VR scene, allowing visitors to experience the virtual world firsthand, addressing the issue of limited tickets.

Other highlights included the Oriental Pearl Digital Film and Television Base's immersive "self-directed and self-acted" performances, as well as SenseTime's AI chess robots, which engaged visitors, including children and seniors, in games of Gomoku, chess, and Go.

A robot that is able to play chess with humans. [Photo/WeChat ID: gh_80c82aabe5df]

Moreover, Lin-gang showcased its "culture + tourism" and "culture + art" initiatives, attracting visitors with original IPs, artistic creations, and cultural and creative products. Collaborations between educational institutions, art foundations, and bookstores aimed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative sector.

Distinctive cultural creative products are displayed at the expo. [Photo/WeChat ID: gh_80c82aabe5df]

As a "young city for the youth", Lin-gang has attracted many young individuals with its vitality, innovation, and technology. The expo was a testament to Lin-gang's thriving cultural and tourism projects, showcasing its dynamic spirit and integration of culture with technology, tourism, and art.