'Beautiful China' (VR Edition) Debuts in Tokyo, Japan At 2016 China Festival

PR63293

TOKYO, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

To enhance exchanges between China and Japan, the 2016 China Festival (the

Festival), a culture and tourism promotion event launched by the Chinese

Embassy, was held on Jan. 29-31 at the Roppongi Building, a landmark in Tokyo.

"3D Beautiful China", an overseas tourism promotion program jointly initiated

by the Information Office of the State Council and the China National Tourism

Administration, and implemented by the China Intercontinental Communication

Center (CICC), had its premiere during the event.

The Festival was initiated by the Chinese Embassy in Japan as a non-profit

event to promote an appreciation of Chinese culture. It featured Chinese

culture, cuisine and entertainment performances. In particular, visitors were

awed by "3D Beautiful China" and its use of personal VR technology.

The films take advantage of popular VR viewing apps and wearable devices, which

enable an immersive and interactive experience while exploring Chinese culture.

Almost 100 Chinese tourist sites are available in the "3D Beautiful China"

campaign, including the Great Wall, the Palace Museum, Lijiang and the

Confucian Temple. Versions for tablets, mobile phones and airline entertainment

terminals will be completed this year. Eventually, users will be able to enjoy

the interactive films wherever they have access to the Internet.

"Previously, cultural promotion events favored conventional forms, but our

program intends to break from tradition and change the role of the audience

from passive reception to interactive exploration," the CICC said in a

statement. "The immersive travel experience made possible by VR technology can

transcend regional or cultural boundaries, rendering traditional pictures or

text pale by comparison."

The CICC continued, "We are among the first to set foot in the field of VR

travel, beating both Google and Oculus. We are launching an online omni-media

plan and an offline international exhibition tour of VR technology-based

Chinese tourism. Last year, our promotional campaign in New York was a hit. The

Festival was our opportunity to interact with the Japanese audience. In the

future, we plan to develop more content and build a VR travel platform as well

as an offline itinerant exhibition mechanism. We hope to bring this brand new

travel experience to all fans of Chinese culture in the world."

SOURCE: China Intercontinental Communication Center