The Hua Mulan 3D digital human at the Shenzhen cultural fair. [Photo/Datong Daily]

Datong in Shanxi province highlighted its distinct cultural charm by blending innovation with tradition at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, held from May 22 to 26.

This year's expo featured an artificial intelligence pavilion, comprising eight major exhibition halls that showcased cutting-edge achievements in the cultural industry. In the Shanxi exhibition area, the Hua Mulan 3D hyper-realistic digital human from Datong emerged as a highlight.

This digital persona narrated the artistic features of the Yungang Grottoes and shared insights into the city's culinary delights, as well as the legendary tales of Hua Mulan's military training.

Datong enterprises transformed elements from the Yungang Grottoes' Buddha statues into charming cultural products, such as mystery boxes and stickers, captivating young audiences.

Datong also engaged visitors with a virtual cloud tour through live streaming. Interactive activities, such as reciting The Ballad of Mulan and experiencing AI interactions, created a unique fusion of traditional culture and modern technology.

Datong's exhibition area achieved on-site sales of 38,262 yuan ($5,318) and generated 23,020 yuan through live streaming, securing 3.3 million yuan in intended orders.