Wuhan University's significant contributions and innovative practices in digital heritage protection are featured in the third episode of the documentary series Intelligent Mapping of China, jointly produced by China Media Group and the Ministry of Natural Resources, highlighting the role of surveying technology in cultural heritage protection.

Led by professors Huang Xianfeng and Zhang Fan, Wuhan University’s cultural heritage digital protection team has been pioneering research on cultural relic digitalization for nearly two decades, starting with the project of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. They have overcome technical challenges in creating high-fidelity texture mapping, enabling precise alignment of murals in the digital realm.

Today, with over 28,000 photos and 1.24 million connection points, the team can reconstruct a high-definition 3D model of the Xuandi Hall on Wudang Mountain, revealing details like cracks and eaves tiles. Digital technology grants cultural relics immortality in the digital world, allowing researchers to analyze ancient sites without being onsite.

From aerial remote sensing to ground scanning, and from drone photography to real-world 3D modeling, surveying and geoinformation technology is bridging time, bringing cultural heritage to life in the present. The rebirth of ancient sites is not just about restoring buildings; it's about preserving the memory of civilization.

Looking ahead, the Wuhan University team will continue to leverage its academic strengths to explore new pathways for intelligent cultural heritage protection, using surveying technology to safeguard China's 5,000-year-old civilization.