Time travel: GZ museums let you VR your way through history

Several major museums in Guangzhou have introduced virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) experiences this summer, allowing visitors to interactively explore historical periods and global civilizations through digital technology.

Nanyue King Museum: Stepping into Ancient Palaces

The 2,000-year-old Nanyue Kingdom springs to life through two pioneering experiences blending physical ruins with digital layers:

1. "No Court Session Today" (《今天本王不早朝》)

Visitors embody "Deer Spirit," a royal guardian, navigating the actual archaeological site equipped with MR glasses. They intercept virtual bronze vessels tossed by digital court maidens, uncover 15 hidden AR clues embedded among real ruins, and shield the king from animated officials' petitions. Motion sensors track gestures, allowing participants to "catch" objects mid-air.

2. "Vermilion Bird of Destiny"(《天命朱雀》)

This three-act VR saga transports users to coastal sacrificial altars where wind simulations create tactile sea spray during storm rituals. The climax features a banquet with historically accurate dishes like digital lychees—triggering recognition among Lingnan visitors.

Details:

• Location: Nanyue King Museum

• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9:00-17:30

• Booking: Reservations required via the "南越王博物院" WeChat account

Guangzhou Library: Global Expeditions Hub

Guangzhou Library's Future Reading Hall offers five extended reality (XR) adventures, blending education with interactive technology.

1. "Mars Mission" (《火星使命》) thrusts visitors into an intense survival scenario where they awaken from cryo-sleep to a damaged spacecraft on Mars. Guided by pilot Li Mei's urgent message about a crucial electronic key, participants must navigate authentic Martian terrain while enduring violent dust storms. The experience culminates in reigniting the Martian base, merging hard science with a thrilling adventure reminiscent of "The Martian."

2. "Return to the Pyramid" (《重返金字塔》) begins as visitors join archaeologist Nancy to explore hidden chambers beneath the Sphinx, accidentally awakening the wisdom god Thoth with an ancient incantation. The journey includes breathtaking VR reconstructions of pyramid construction ceremonies and a magical sunset cruise down the Nile on a solar boat.

3. "The Call of Sanxingdui" (《三星堆的召唤》) starts dramatically when a 3,000-year-old bronze mask suddenly "chooses" visitors, transporting them to the ancient Shu Kingdom. Guided by the lively character Xiao Yang, participants solve intricate mask puzzles, explore bronze casting caves, and perform sacred dances to awaken a mechanical sunbird—all while uncovering the mysteries of this enigmatic civilization.

4. "Jurassic World in Earth's Core" (《恐龙大冒险》) drops visitors onto a prehistoric island after a volcanic eruption, where they interact with scientifically accurate dinosaurs—from petting friendly pachycephalosaurs to outrunning terrifying T. rexes across shaking terrain. The heart-pounding climax involves escaping via wind-simulated pterodactyl flight as a massive mosasaur emerges from the waves at sunset, creating an unforgettable mix of education and excitement for dinosaur enthusiasts.

5. "Lost Atlantis" (《失落的海底城》), the latest experience, takes explorers through the ruins of an advanced civilization built on a whale's back, where bioluminescent marine life responds to touch, and pressure-sensitive controls simulate deep-sea navigation. This refreshing summer adventure not only reveals humanity's evolutionary connection to the oceans but also delivers a powerful message about marine conservation through its stunning underwater landscapes and interactive ecosystems.

These installations function as practical tools for understanding planetary science, archaeology, and marine biology—all housed within a public library setting.

Details:

• Location: East side of the North Wing, 1st Floor, Guangzhou Library

• Hours: 10:00-20:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)

Guangzhou Museum of Art: Where Poetry Meets Tech

The Chinese Poetry Fête (《中国诗词盛会》)  redefines literary appreciation through cutting-edge mixed reality technology at the Guangzhou Museum of Art. Visitors wield magical MR brushes to compose poetry in mid-air while interacting with lifelike digital avatars of legendary poets like Li Bai and Su Shi across six imaginative challenges. The experience reaches its climax on the Poetry Cloud Platform, where incorrect answers trigger good-natured "mockery" from an AI-generated Su Shi, blending classical education with playful competition.

Details:

• Location: 4th Floor, Multimedia Hall

• Dates: July 26 - October 1 (Closed Mondays)

Visitors can collect limited-edition poetry-themed fridge magnets for free at the reception desk, taking home keepsakes featuring the Goddess of the Luo River and renowned poets.

Guangzhou Cultural & Art Centre: Cinematic Time Travel

"Magnificent Song: Full River Red" (《大宋风华录·满江红》) makes its debut as China's first licensed Song Dynasty VR film (Dragon Seal #017) at Guangzhou Cultural & Art Centre, transporting visitors to 12th-century Lin'an through cutting-edge immersive technology. This groundbreaking experience begins with a virtual boat ride through ancient water gates into the neon-lit night markets of the Southern Song capital, where visitors can interact with lantern-lit stalls and experience the bustling atmosphere of one of history's most cosmopolitan cities.

Details:

Location: Quyi Garden of Guangzhou Cultural & Art Center

Hours: 9:00-17:30 (Closed Mondays)

Booking: Reservations via the "广州文化馆" WeChat account required

Source:South