The Japanese edition of China Global Television Network's (CGTN) latest immersive digital exhibition, "Tang Architecture: Building Timeless Glory," was unveiled on Saturday at the China Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan.
Launched as part of CGTN's initiative to promote Chinese art, the exhibition showcases the aesthetics of Tang Dynasty (618-907) wooden architecture through cutting-edge multimedia technology. Visitors from Japan and around the world are transported back in time by this digital experience.
Using AI-based animation and 3D modeling, the exhibition provides an interactive glimpse into the grandeur and elegance of the Tang era.
Key highlights include recreations of iconic Tang-era structures such as Foguang Temple and Daming Palace, along with depictions of ancient Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, located near modern-day Xi'an in Shaanxi Province.
In addition to the architectural displays, paintings from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) are also featured, offering insights into China's rich artistic heritage. The vibrancy of these works emphasizes the ability of cultural heritage to transcend national and cultural boundaries.
"CGTN's Chinese Art Promotion Program brings the essence of China's most representative Tang and Song culture and art to the world through digital exhibitions. This is not only an innovation in dissemination methods but also a transformation in the way of civilization exchanges," said Wu Shengrong, director of the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Fang Wei, China's Deputy Consul General in Osaka, highlighted the significance of this exhibition in the context of Sino-Japanese relations.
"China and Japan, as close neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water, share a common cultural heritage and have conducted exchanges for thousands of years. Both countries possess numerous shared cultural assets, including architectural art, Buddhism, and tea culture. They also embrace common values of seeking common ground while respecting differences, making them true cultural kin and civilizational partners," said Fang.
Visitors are not only able to view the beauty of Tang-era architecture on screens but can also engage with it through VR glasses, immersing themselves in history and art.
"I just enjoy [it] very much. And all the different types of the presentation made by digital technology and all the architecture are very precisely articulated and also presented very well. So, it was very informative," said Yuko Hasegawa, professor of curatorial and art theory at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Themed "Designing the Future Society of Our Lives," the World Expo 2025 is underway in Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, running from April 13 to Oct 13.
CGTN digital exhibition brings Tang-era architecture to life at Osaka Expo
