An AI-driven XR Multi-Experience Platform Design by Periods for the Classic Chinese Panoramic Scroll Painting “Along the River during the Qingming Festival”

Abstract. The integration of extended reality (XR) with digital heritage has considerably broadened the scope of multi-participatory cultural heritage experiences. In digital heritage, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of cultural assets is a standard procedure among specialists, with most progress dependent on the 3D documentation, reconstruction, and 3D visualization and representation of cultural assets. However, the scope for the digital application of 2D cultural heritage, such as paintings and documents, is considerably limited, while transforming traditional 2D scroll artwork into an immersive XR experience entails complex technical and interpretive challenges that require interdisciplinary collaboration among art historians, technologists, and designers. To address this gap, this study presents the design of an AI-driven XR multi-experience platform inspired by the classic Chinese panoramic scroll painting “Along the River during the Qingming Festival.” The painting meticulously illustrates urban life during the Song Dynasty, making it suitable for immersive digital reproduction because of its narrative quality, architectural complexity, and vibrant portrayal of everyday events. The proposed platform integrates AI-driven interpretation and restoration technologies for a digitally and historically realistic environment, allowing multiple users to interact inside the reproduced space. This study aims to design a scalable framework for transforming conventional 2D artifacts into XR multi-participation environments, introducing a novel approach for digital heritage that improves the preservation and accessibility of cultural assets in the digital age. This study offers practical and innovative solutions for the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage in the digital era by enhancing accessibility, educational impact, and innovative interaction with historical artworks.