Versailles comes alive at a new Pudong landmark

A stunning immersive VR experience, "Versailles: Lost Gardens of the Sun King," had its China debut over the weekend at Qiantan in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, offering a cross-time cultural feast.

The Shanghai premiere project is at New Bund Red Lane, Qiantan, as an example of China-France cultural exchange and cooperation.

The Palace of Versailles, a world cultural heritage and emblem of European court art, recalls the French empire's golden age.

This free-roam VR experience recreates Versailles of 1682, when Louis XIV spent nearly 50 years turning a hunting lodge into the heart of European court life.

In a virtual adventure, visitors can explore the royal zoo, exotic animals, the Thetis Grotto, and maze gardens while listening to digital reconstructions of the Sun King's thoughts on art and diplomacy.

Historical research and cutting-edge technology are used by the Palace of Versailles, HTC VIVE Arts, French content producer GEDEON Experiences, and Small Creative to digitally recreate Versailles' lost aspects.

A multi-sensory immersive experience with a distinct French artistic flair immerses guests in an authentic French cultural ambiance from the time they enter.

The rapid development of VR immersive large-space technology is driving cultural and tourism development worldwide, and its free movement and multi-sensory integration offer new cross-cultural contact channels.

This and other VR legacy projects like Eternal Notre-Dame and Horizon of Khufu combine cultural preservation with immersive storytelling.

It is being presented by Shanghai Film, Radio & TV Production Ltd at its newly launched large-scale immersive center Light Realm. The Shanghai opening marks the project's first international exhibition since premiering at Versailles earlier this year.

It has had over 10,000 visitors since its launch at Versailles in March.

If you go

Opening hours: 10am-8pm

Venue: Light Realm 光域奇境

Address: N1-108＆109 Unit, 1F, No.9, Lane 131, Qiantan Avenue, the Pudong New Area 浦东新区前滩大道131弄9号1层N1-108＆109单元

Admission: 138 yuan