A visitor tries out the VR experience. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City — situated in the central part of Yuhang district of Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang — debuted a major new feature on July 5.

Staff there launched trial operations for an immersive virtual reality or VR experience that is themed on the local 5,000-year-old Liangzhu civilization — the first of its kind in the world.

Visitors wearing VR headsets can embark on a 35-minute interactive journey through time, exploring the rise and fall of the Liangzhu kingdom, its sacred rituals and the wisdom of ancient water management systems.

The experience uses large-space VR positioning, real-time tracking and multi-user interactions to simulate walking through palaces, villages and canals with striking realism, blending culture and technology to bring ancient history back to life.

Developed with guidance from archaeologists and based on historical research, the project recreates key elements of Liangzhu culture — from jade artifacts to ceremonial altars.

It is said to mark a milestone in digital heritage innovation, aiming to deepen public understanding of early Chinese civilization and create a model for heritage conservation through technology.

Free trial tickets are available via the "Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City" WeChat mini program from now to July 13, limited to 30 visitors per day.