Virtual Museum Scenarios Based on Handheld Devices as an Alternative Approach to Enhance the Preservation and Dissemination of Cultural Heritage

Abstract

China encourages the utilisation of technologies such as the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence to advance the digital collection, display, and utilisation of cultural heritage resources. The newly revised Cultural Heritage Protection Law of the People's Republic of China, enacted in 2024, enshrines in law the principle of ‘strengthening digital cultural heritage protection efforts and promoting the digital collection, display, and dissemination of cultural heritage resources.’ It encourages the creation of premium tourism routes based on cultural heritage resources, the development of study tours and experiential tourism, enabling the public to experience and disseminate culture through on-site engagement. Regarding international communication and exchange, efforts are being made to advance cultural heritage protection and cooperation along the Belt and Road, implement high-quality overseas exhibitions of cultural relics, and enhance China's international communication capacity and influence. In terms of educational integration, policies emphasise incorporating cultural relics protection and dissemination knowledge into primary and secondary education systems, improving long-term mechanisms for students to learn through museums, and cultivating awareness of protection and inheritance from an early age. Research, grounded in the Naxi ethnic group's pictographic script ‘Dongba script non-single characters’ from Yunnan, China, proposes a new model for preserving and disseminating virtual cultural heritage. This model centres on a handheld virtual museum, enhancing immersive experiences and addressing the limitations of current designated-environment appreciation. It aims to improve the diversity of preservation and dissemination methods. This study employs qualitative research combined with data analysis, utilising questionnaires to evaluate the new model's suitability through experiential assessment. It demonstrates that this virtual scenario, grounded in a handheld virtual museum, can serve as an alternative approach to enhance the preservation and dissemination of the Dongba script's non-monographic characters.