Cultural tourism inspired by commercial hits(3)

Tourists flock to the Tiefo Temple in Gaoping, Shanxi province, in September. Buddhist statues from the temple are featured in the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Greater access

To expand the availability of cultural offerings, it's meaningful to vitalize existing resources.

Yang Chaoming, a deputy to the 14th NPC and a professor at the Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies at Shandong University, called for more free and open access to university museums.

He mentioned that the majority of the universities directly under the Ministry of Education have set up museums or art galleries. Many of these universities, especially those with archaeology or museology departments, have quality collections of cultural relics, solid study into the art and history of the relics, as well as stories brought from archaeological sites.

These museums have the potential in hosting themed exhibitions and bridging exchanges and collaborations between universities, while broadening students' horizons and enhancing the social influence of these universities, he said.

Yang suggested that more public financial support be given to the operation of university museums, the restoration and digitization of their relic collections, and free access. Additionally, he advocated for the involvement of private capital and resources.

Clarence Ling Chun-kit, a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and founding chairman of Hong Kong's Chinese Young Entrepreneurs Association, said that the popularity of the scenes depicted in the hit movie Ne Zha 2 and the game Black Myth: Wukong has increased interest among young people from Hong Kong to explore the Chinese mainland.

"For the young generation of Hong Kong, their engagement and interactions are key for them to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and their connection with the mainland.

"Therefore, it's of great significance to integrate cultural resources and design for them themed routes that blend humanities, nature and technology — such as the explorations of the Silk Road, the relics of ancient civilizations, winter tours and high-tech hubs," Ling said.