Two young visitors mimic the serene expression of a Buddha at Meet Yungang: A Public Digital Art Exhibition in the West Kowloon Railway Station on Tuesday. The exhibition, which runs through July 31, features nearly 50 digital art pieces, including four 3D-printed Buddhist statues, all inspired by Yungang Grottoes, a 1,600-year-old UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in North China's Shanxi province. Andy Chong / China Daily

Digital technology revives millennia of splendor

On May 27, a cultural dialogue transcending time and space unfolded at the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong. The "Meet Yungang Digital Public Welfare Art Exhibition" utilizes cutting-edge digital technology to encapsulate the millennia-old splendor of this World Cultural Heritage site within a modern exhibition space, offering Hong Kong residents an immersive cultural experience.

As a pinnacle of ancient Chinese Buddhist art and a World Cultural Heritage site, the Yungang Grottoes are renowned for their majestic sculpture art and the historical value of cultural integration. This exhibition breaks through traditional relic display methods, employing techniques such as 3D restoration and virtual reality (VR) to transform the millennium-old artistic treasures hidden in the cliffs of Shanxi into a digital cultural experience that can be viewed, perceived, moved, and inherited. From May 27 to July 31, visitors can closely observe the detailed reliefs inside the restored caves at the Bauhinia Art Exhibition Space on the L1 level of West Kowloon Station, experience the grandeur of the Northern Wei Dynasty through VR equipment, and explore corresponding exhibits panoramically by scanning QR codes, touching the craftsmanship of a thousand years ago at the intersection of virtual and reality.

The exhibition focuses on the development of the Yungang Grottoes, connecting the evolution of Yungang art through four major sections: "Majestic True Form," "Exquisite Craftsmanship," "Enduring Dharma," and "Ancient Charm, New Legacy." Nearly 50 digital art exhibits are on display, including 42 framed photographs and 4 high-precision 3D printed replicas of Buddha statues, showcasing the historical charm and artistic value of the Yungang Grottoes.

The "Majestic True Form" section, centered on high-definition images and VR technology, presents the extraordinary grandeur of the Five Caves of Tan Yao and their profound impact on the development of later Chinese grotto art. The "Exquisite Craftsmanship" section highlights the features of mid-period grottoes during Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei, emphasizing the localization and refinement of art, showcasing the rulers' deep understanding of Buddhist beliefs and the absorption and integration of Central Plains culture. The "Enduring Dharma" section focuses on the late period of the Yungang Grottoes, displaying the fully Sinicized and secularized characteristics of the sculpture art of that time through Buddha and Bodhisattva statues. "Ancient Charm, New Legacy" represents the story of digital preservation efforts by the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation, vividly interpreting the generational transmission of cultural heritage protection.

From the Northern Wei capital of Pingcheng to the shores of Hong Kong, this digital art exhibition not only recreates the cultural splendor of the ancient Silk Road but also establishes a new channel for contemporary cultural dialogue. Wang Lu, General Manager of China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd., stated that the West Kowloon Cultural District is a crucial hub for cultural and artistic exchanges in Hong Kong. This exhibition, operating in a fully public welfare mode, integrates technology empowerment and cultural creativity, presenting the historical memory and cultural value carried by the Yungang Grottoes to Hong Kong residents and visitors from around the world in an engaging manner.

The exhibition space is meticulously designed to guide audiences through the cultural essence and historical value of the Yungang Grottoes, forming a multi-layered resonance of knowledge, emotion, and aesthetics. The high-precision cave models and immersive experiences showcase how Northern Wei craftsmen carved eternal beauty into sandstone; the artful display points are carefully designed to allow audiences to immerse themselves and unlock hidden cultural codes while viewing the exhibition. While maintaining academic rigor, the exhibition uses a narrative approach that blends the virtual and real, transforming static relics into communicative cultural ambassadors. This innovative practice meets contemporary audiences' aesthetic needs and provides a model for the revitalization and utilization of cultural heritage.

Su Yuhang, head of the Asia Cultural Heritage Protection Fund of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation, said the foundation will continue to build cross-sector cooperation platforms, effectively gather social resources, and fully leverage its exemplary leading role. We look forward to more social forces joining in the future to contribute to the cause of cultural heritage protection.

The exhibition is organized by the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and the Yungang Research Institute, co-hosted by China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. and Bauhinia Magazine, and co-organized by China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd., Beijing Zhongchuang Tourism Group, and Encounter Museum, with strong support from Tencent Charity Foundation, Shun Tak Holdings, Taikang Insurance Group Co., Ltd., Bank of China, Kweichow Moutai Charity Foundation, and Bauhinia Culture Group Co., Ltd.

Exhibition Information
Name: Encountering Yungang Digital Public Welfare Art Exhibition (Hong Kong Station)
Exhibition Period: May 27, 2025 - July 31, 2025
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: West Kowloon Cultural District (West Kowloon Station)
          Bauhinia Art Exhibition Space, L1 Level, West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station