Cheng Yirong, a former United Nations cultural affairs specialist, has returned to her roots in Taiyuan with an ambitious mission: making Shanxi's 2,800-year-old architectural legacy resonate with digital-native youth. The curator's "Black Myth Wukong: Encounter Shanxi Exhibition" – running through April 2026 – combines augmented reality installations with Song Dynasty temple artifacts to reinterpret traditional craftsmanship through gaming aesthetics.
"We're speaking Gen Z's visual language while preserving historical authenticity," Cheng told KhabarAsia, demonstrating how 12th-century bracketing systems from Yingxian Wooden Pagoda inspired combat mechanics in the acclaimed "Black Myth: Wukong" video game. The exhibition has drawn over 80,000 visitors since its February opening, with 60% aged 18-35.
Her approach reflects broader efforts across China to revitalize cultural heritage through technological innovation. This year, Shanxi plans to digitize 50 at-risk historical sites using 3D scanning techniques pioneered in Cheng's project. "When young people touch these wooden beams that survived dynasties," she said, "they're not just learning history – they're becoming its next guardians."
