Content creators from across the world explore Shuanglin Temple in Pingyao Ancient City, Jinzhong, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The phenomenal video game Black Myth: Wukong has showcased the cultural heritage of Shanxi province, catapulting several historic sites into the spotlight. Among the most prominent is the Shuanglin Temple, one of the game's inspirations.

The temple, situated approximately six kilometers from the center of UNESCO World Heritage site Pingyao Ancient City, has a history of more than 1,400 years.

Despite sustaining damage on multiple occasions throughout its history, the temple was restored in the Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. Currently, it houses more than 2,000 colored sculptures and is known as "China's museum of painted sculptures".

Colored clay sculptures at Shuanglin Temple make people feel like they have stepped into the world of Black Myth: Wukong. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As Black Myth: Wukong maintains massive popularity, Shuanglin Temple has seen unprecedented visitor numbers. Among them are a group of international vloggers who joined the "Discovering Shanxi's Ancient Chinese Architecture – Overseas Media and Students Tour".

Inside the temple, the influencers wandered through its ancient halls, admiring numerous painted clay sculptures that were exquisitely shaped, with vivid expressions and lifelike postures.

Joe Burns, a content creator from Scotland said: "Seeing these scenes in real life is far more meaningful than experiencing them virtually in-game. China's digital preservation efforts, such as the three-dimensional scanning of cultural relics, make these treasures accessible to more people, aiding education and cultural dissemination."

Shuanglin Temple is one of the real-world locations that inspired Black Myth: Wukong. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Joe said that games like Black Myth: Wukong can inspire people to visit these places, boosting China's tourism and cultural sectors and showing Shanxi's shift from an industrial province to a tourism and culturally focused one.

"Before coming to China, I didn't know Shanxi had thousand-year-old trees and ancient temples," said Ryan Michael Wagner, a student from the United States at Shanxi University. "If American people knew about these, they would want to come to see them."

Ryan said he believes that as international activities increase, Shanxi's ancient architecture will become better known globally.

"The Black Myth: Wukong game has put Shanxi on the global cultural map," said Oluwabunmi Henry Jimoh, a vlogger from Nigeria. "I think we could create a sequel to Black Myth: Wukong that features more ancient temples and historic sites. Through gaming, even those unfamiliar with Chinese culture can experience its beauty and then come visit these places in person."