The exhibition "Past and Future: Cultural Relics and Suspended Sculpture Art from Xiaoxitian" is on display at the National Museum of Classic Books through May 8, 2026.
Xiaoxitian, also known as Qianfo An (Thousand-Buddha Nunnery) in Xi County, Shanxi Province, is famed for its 1,978 suspended sculptures from the Ming dynasty and as a filming site for the game Black Myth: Wukong. The exhibition presents 84 precious cultural relics across 50 groups—including stone carvings, gold, and bronze Buddha statues—many of which are being shown to the public for the first time.
Using visual algorithm modeling and AI reconstruction, the exhibition has achieved millimeter-level digital scans of the suspended sculptures in Xiaoxitian’s Mahavira Hall. Through immersive VR technology, it offers a full panoramic restoration, enabling visitors to explore detailed views and even interact with a virtual avatar of Chan Master Dongming, bringing the maximalist aesthetics of the Ming dynasty vividly to life.