New life for ancient ruins

The first digital exhibition to spotlight the Niya ruins site in the country's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is open to the public at the Alight Room Lafayette Culture Space in Shanghai through July 25.

The Niya ruins are located in Minfeng county in the Hotan prefecture, about 115 kilometers north of the modern-day Niya town. Known locally as Jingjue in documents from the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316), Niya was once a thriving oasis in the southern Taklimakan Desert and a major commercial center on the southern branch of the Silk Road.

The archaeological site has drawn wide interest among historians, scientists and artists because of its legendary findings in the depths of the desert, historical mysteries and cultural heritage.

The exhibition has been organized by the Xinjiang Museum and Shanghai Alight Digital Technology Co Ltd. Designed in seven sections that simulate a seven-day exploration of the site, it features more than 100 artifacts, as well as archaeological processes, enhanced with digital interpretations with the support of cutting-edge virtual reality and other interactive technologies.

Among the highlighted exhibits is a replica of a brocade arm guard with eight Chinese characters "wu xing chu dong fang li zhong guo "that translate to "five stars from the east bring blessings to China". The original object, dating to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), was unearthed during a joint expedition to Niya site by Chinese and Japanese archaeologists in the 1990s. It is recognized as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in China of the 20th century.