Digital Soundscape Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage - A Case Study of the "Zhuozheng Wenya" Night Tour Project

Description

This project investigates the role of digital sound design in the landscape design of cultural heritage tourism, particularly by integrating auditory landscapes into tourism strategies to enhance cultural experiences. Using an interdisciplinary framework that draws on cultural geography, sound archaeology, digital humanities, experiential design, and immersive media studies, the project addresses the following key questions: What principles should guide the reconstruction of soundscapes in cultural heritage sites? How can sound effects design and music composition foster participants' understanding, recognition, and emotional connection to cultural heritage sites? How can digital sound design be integrated with other digital technologies in cultural heritage projects? What digital techniques can be applied to reconstruct soundscapes at cultural heritage sites?

The study employs a comprehensive methodology, including historical data analysis, field investigations, stakeholder interviews, digital sound and music design, acoustic environment design, pilot projects, and iterative evaluation processes. Ethical considerations, such as cultural respect and the reversibility of hardware modifications, are emphasized throughout the research. The project focuses on the nighttime tourism initiative at the World Heritage site, the Humble Administrator's Garden, known as "Zhuozheng Wenya." Two pilot projects are presented: the sound effects design for the "Listening to Rain Pavilion—Rain on Banana Leaves" scene and the music design for the "Moonlit Heart Garden" scene. These immersive soundscapes are grounded in historical literature and inspired by classical literary and musical works, aiming to reinterpret the cultural significance of the garden for contemporary audiences. These works will be presented through multimedia displays during the symposium, highlighting their artistic and experiential dimensions. Additionally, the study outlines general principles for reconstructing soundscapes at cultural heritage sites—authenticity, a balance of narrative, and modernity—to provide a theoretical foundation for related research and future practices.

The findings emphasize the pivotal role of sound in shaping cultural identity and emotional connection, particularly in cultural heritage tourism projects. Innovative sound design techniques demonstrate their potential to enhance visitor engagement, promote sustainable tourism, and deepen public appreciation of classical Chinese garden culture. Furthermore, this research offers new interdisciplinary methods and insights for preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage sites.

Period	25 Apr 2025 → 27 Apr 2025
Event title	Symposium on Heritage in the Digital Age
Event type	Conference
Location	Shanghai, ChinaShow on map