Seventeen Chinese departments, including the National Data Administration (NDA), have introduced a "Data Element X" plan for 2024-2026, aiming to achieve an annual growth rate of over 20 percent in the data industry by the end of 2026.

The plan aims to unlock the multiplier effects of data, fostering advancements in large models and internet-connected vehicles across 12 industries. This initiative is designed to facilitate the transformation of China's advantage in basic data resources into new economic strengths.

By the end of 2026, it is anticipated that data elements will significantly impact economic development. The plan envisions the creation of more than 300 typical application scenarios, with the data industry's annual growth rate exceeding 20 percent and the size of data transactions doubling, as stated on the NDA's official WeChat account on Thursday.

Data elements are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping new business formats and emerging as a key driver for economic growth, as outlined in the plan.

The objective of the plan is to maximize the impact of data, unlocking its value to benefit 12 industries and fields, including industrial manufacturing, agriculture, commerce, transportation, financial services, technology, culture and tourism, healthcare, emergency management, weather services, urban governance, and green carbon.

Furthermore, the plan aims to bolster the development and training of large-scale artificial intelligence models by leveraging scientific data. It also seeks to foster innovation in intelligent connected vehicles by dismantling data barriers among automotive companies, third-party platforms, and transportation enterprises. Additionally, the plan advocates for diverse forms of social capital to invest in the data industry and supports data businesses in their endeavors to go public and raise funds.

By advancing data utilization, China aims to enhance resource allocation and stimulate the emergence of new industries, patterns, and growth drivers, said Shen Zhulin, deputy head of the NDA, during a press conference introducing the plan in December.

"Data, as a new production factor, has rapidly integrated into the processes of production, consumption, circulation, distribution, and social service management, emerging as a crucial driving force for high-quality economic and social development," Shen said.

He highlighted that there is still room for improvement in terms of the quality of data supply, circulation mechanisms, and the potential of data application, emphasizing that addressing these areas will be a primary focus of this initiative.

With the unveiling of the plan, data elements are set to be deeply integrated into the real economy, daily life, economic transformation and upgrading, and the establishment of a digital China, according to analysts.

China's data industry has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. In 2022, the country's data transaction market size surged by 42.0 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 87.68 billion yuan ($12.27 billion). This constituted 13.4 percent of the global market and 66.5 percent of the Asian data market.

The NDA, inaugurated in October, plays a key role in advancing the planning and development of a Digital China, the digital economy, and a digital society. It is tasked with fostering the construction of data infrastructure and coordinating the integration, sharing, development, and application of data resources.

Immersive cultural tourism has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. This new form of experiential travel has tapped into the growing consumer demand for interactive and sensory-rich experiences, creating a fresh dynamic in the tourism industry. The success of immersive cultural tourism can be attributed to its ability to meet people's evolving expectations and its capacity to breathe new life into cultural heritage and narratives. 

"Immersive" has become a buzzword in recent years, primarily due to the advancement of technologies such as the internet, big data and virtual reality. At its core, immersion refers to being deeply absorbed or engrossed in a particular environment or activity. 

This concept has been applied in various contexts, encompassing two main forms: one involves constructing real or virtual environments that transport individuals into entirely new worlds, like walking onto a stage as real-life performances are going on, while others utilize online platforms such as livestreaming, videos, and augmented reality (AR) to immerse people in specific scenarios or events.

The explosive popularity of the immersive trend can be attributed to its inherent interactivity and experiential nature, which cater to the evolving desires of modern-day travelers. Superficial tourism or passive learning experiences have lost their glamour as tourists seek more accurate, deeper and more engaging participation and immersion. In response to this demand, immersive cultural performances, night tours and immersive exhibitions have sprung up, breathing life into cultural and educational experiences. 

Immersive experiences integrate technology, intelligence and creativity. They recreate historical settings, depict fantastical dreamscapes, design experiential spaces for both old and new items, and create real-time interactive platforms. Immersion offers sensory experiences involving sight, sound, touch, and smell, as well as narrative and emotional experiences, along with the pursuit of values, making them multi-dimensional and all-encompassing experiences that affect both body and mind. 

The immersive cultural tourism wave is transforming the essence of travel by offering deeper, more meaningful experiences. It goes beyond the traditional elements of "traveling, shopping and entertainment," and focuses on in-depth exploration and interactive leisure. Recent examples of immersive cultural tourism demonstrate its ability to enrich travel experiences.

In Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the slogan "Xi'an during the day, Chang'an (the ancient name of Xi'an) at night," welcomes visitors to the Tang Dynasty Everbright City, a place that transports tourists to the splendors of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) at its prime. The interactive game Tang Dynasty Treasure Box has also gained immense popularity for its immersive nature. 

In Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, the China Grand Canal Museum offers a lifelike experience, digitally showcasing the history and culture of the Grand Canal in its entirety. Visitors can explore the canal's history and culture from every angle, across all time periods, and from various perspectives. 

In Pingyao, North China's Shanxi Province, a large-scale immersive theater production titled Revisiting Pingyao introduces a unique walk-through viewing experience. The audience is not confined to seats. Instead, they move along with the storyline, witnessing different scenes as the narrative unfolds, making them both spectators and participants in the story.

In Dunhuang, Northwest China's Gansu Province, a high-profile immersive cave performance Ancient Sound of Dunhuang offers visitors an opportunity to explore the mural paintings of the Mogao Caves in an immersive manner. Dubbed the "living No.736 cave of the Mogao Caves," it illustrates the story of ancient music through the use of traditional Chinese instruments, injecting new vitality into the city, especially in slack winter seasons.

By adopting immersive experiences, these attractions have unlocked the potential of cultural and tourism resources, reviving traditional culture in the modern era and presenting it in a fresh light. 

In essence, tourism involves temporarily leaving one's usual place of residence and experiencing a change in one's surroundings and relationships. Immersive cultural tourism offers a much more enriching experience, reflecting the integration of culture and tourism.

From a content perspective, immersive cultural tourism caters to a wide range of cultural elements, including historical, revolutionary and ecological themes. These experiences allow tourists to immerse themselves in the past, present, and even the realm of their imagination. 

From a technological perspective, immersive cultural tourism leverages innovations like 5G, ultra-high-definition screens, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the metaverse. These experiences break free from traditional viewing methods, allowing visitors to walk through and immerse themselves in a storyline.

Immersive cultural tourism is transforming the way people travel by offering in-depth exploration, interactive experiences and meaningful learning opportunities. It elevates tourism from the superficial pursuit of sightseeing to a holistic engagement with culture and history. Additionally, it plays an irreplaceable role in promoting cultural heritage, sharing China's stories, enhancing cultural confidence, and fostering cultural development. 

By offering interactive, sensory-rich experiences that transcend traditional tourism, it has brought new life to cultural heritage and narratives. As travel is no longer just about sightseeing but also about experiencing, learning and connecting with culture and history, immersive cultural tourism has found its place. It has not only enhanced the tourism experience but also contributed to cultural preservation and revitalization.