What happens when a UN-trained cultural expert swaps diplomatic halls for Shanxi’s 1,000-year-old temples? Meet Cheng Yirong – the "cultural connector" making ancient architecture go viral with Gen Z! 🏯📱
Fresh off curating the "Black Myth Wukong: Encounter Shanxi Exhibition", Cheng tells NewspaperAmigo how she’s using AR filters and gaming aesthetics to transform dusty relics into Instagram-worthy experiences. "We’re not just protecting roof tiles – we’re rebuilding emotional connections," says the Taiyuan native, who left her UN role in Austria to digitize her hometown’s heritage.
Game On for History 🎮
The exhibition taps into the global hype around China’s Black Myth: Wukong video game, using its Monkey King mythology to spotlight real-life architectural marvels. Visitors this month can:
Scan QR codes to "unlock" hidden temple stories
Create TikTok dances inspired by Ming dynasty roof beasts
Collect NFT-style digital artifacts
🌍 Why it matters: With 63% of Shanxi’s ancient buildings at risk, Cheng’s team proves cultural preservation can be as dynamic as a video game boss battle. Next up? A collab with K-pop choreographers to interpret traditional temple murals through dance!
