The historic Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China’s Gansu Province—a UNESCO World Heritage site—are leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools to safeguard fragile masterpieces and transform visitor experiences.
Carved into desert cliffs starting from 366 AD, the complex comprises 735 caves featuring renowned Buddhist art. Through initiatives like the “Discover Dunhuang” VR exhibition, visitors can explore high-fidelity 3D reconstructions of the grottoes, while the globally launched “Digital Library Cave” platform provides access to thousands of ancient manuscripts and artifacts.
Behind the scenes, specialized software and AI models trained on thousands of high-resolution images enable pixel-level disease detection, identifying microscopic damage invisible to the naked eye. Cultural officials emphasize that integrating digital intelligence into heritage conservation ensures these ancient treasures endure for generations to come.