A foreign expert tries on AR glasses for an immersive exploration of the Liangzhu Museum. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The third UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums opened in Hangzhou on April 23, bringing together over 190 museum directors, cultural experts, and institutional representatives from more than 60 countries and regions.

The opening day saw participants converge at Yuhang district's Liangzhu Museum to explore the evolving role of museums in a digital era.

Carolina Perez Dattari, Chilean vice-minister of culture, arts and heritage, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing that museums are vital platforms for cultural continuity and social transformation. Visiting Liangzhu for the first time, she praised its rich heritage, calling it "a beautiful and inspiring place where 5,000 years of history come alive."

Technology took center stage at the Liangzhu Museum, where guests experienced AR-guided tours using the latest spatial computing tools developed by Hangzhou-based Rokid Technology. AR glasses enabled immersive storytelling, interactive exhibits, and personalized routes. Gabor Zsigmond, director of the Hungarian National Museum, was particularly impressed, saying, "It felt like stepping back into ancient civilization — Liangzhu seamlessly blends history with modern holographic projections."

At the Archaeological Ruins Park of Liangzhu City, guests rode self-driving shuttles through key archaeological sites. With AR glasses and real-time on-screen interpretation, they were virtually transported to Liangzhu's ancient rice fields and water systems. Henri Kalama Akulez, chancellor of the Kinshasa Academy of Fine Arts (DR Congo), described the 1:1 burial site reconstructions as "deeply moving and eye-opening."

Running through April 25, the forum features keynote speeches, discussions on various topics, interactive sessions, and field visits. Key topics include The Transformative Role of Museums, Digital Technology and AI, and Museums as Lifelong Learning Platforms. Cutting-edge digital tools — from robotic dogs to AR glasses — underscore Yuhang's innovative integration of culture and technology.