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%.
Impact and considerations
The significant visitor growth after World Heritage listing and investment in digital experiences offer a quantified reference for heritage destination operations, cultural product development and visitor management.
Key points
- The Xixia Tombs were inscribed on the World Heritage List on 11 July 2025, becoming China's 60th World Heritage site.
- The site uses VR/XR immersive experiences, VAR smart viewing telescopes and digital cultural products to enhance visitor experience.
- In 2025, the Xixia Tombs received about one million visitors, up roughly 30% year on year.
- In the first half of 2026, cumulative visitors reached 450,000, up 102% year on year, with out-of-province visitors accounting for 92%.
- The new Xixia Tombs Museum holds over 10,000 artifacts, including 509 precious items.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- 品橙旅游
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 10 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 11 Sept 2026, 00:05
- Last updated
- 10 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- Pinchain Tourism：数字赋能文旅融合 西夏陵千年遗产“活”在当下 – 品橙旅游 (opens in a new tab)Primary source · zh · Published 10 Sept 2026, 08:00