Xixia Tombs See Visitor Surge After World Heritage Listing, Digital Tools Boost Heritage Tourism

The Xixia Tombs were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 47th session in Paris on 11 July 2025, becoming China's 60th World Heritage site. Over the past year, the site has enhanced visitor experiences through VR/XR immersive projects, VAR smart viewing telescopes, digital cultural products and an immersive scripted tour. Data show about one million visitors in 2025, up roughly 30% year on year, and 450,000 visitors in the first half of 2026, up 102% year on year, with out-of-province visitors accounting for 92%.