Beijing has released a three-year action plan to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into the cultural and tourism sectors, as the capital seeks to foster new growth drivers and enhance visitor experiences through technology.
The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism recently issued the Action Plan for Promoting the Development of "AI plus Culture and Tourism" in Beijing (2026-28), outlining a roadmap for the deeper integration of AI across public services, cultural creation, industry upgrading, global promotion, and market governance.
The plan is designed to support the development of what the country terms "new quality productive forces" in the cultural and tourism sectors, while improving service quality, operational efficiency and visitor satisfaction.
According to the bureau, the initiative will focus on four key pillars: application scenarios, data systems, security safeguards, and policy support. Over the next three years, Beijing aims to build a smart culture and tourism ecosystem driven by government guidance, market participation and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The plan identifies five major areas for AI applications.
In public services, Beijing will accelerate the development of smart libraries and digital cultural centers, and establish digital archives for intangible cultural heritage.
In cultural and artistic creation, AI technologies will be used to enrich content production and support the creation of more high-quality cultural works that reflect Beijing's character and cultural identity.
To support industry upgrading, the city will pilot the use of embodied AI, wearable devices and other intelligent technologies at major cultural and tourism landmarks, including the city's Central Axis and the Great Wall, to create more immersive experiences.
The plan also seeks to strengthen multilingual smart services to improve convenience for international travelers and enhance Beijing's global tourism efforts.
In market governance, AI-powered tools will be deployed to improve regulatory oversight, law enforcement efficiency and data-driven management.
The plan builds on a number of AI-powered cultural and tourism initiatives already underway in the capital. The Beijing Library has integrated AI, AR and metaverse technologies into its service system, while the Summer Palace recently launched an AI-powered digital human customer service platform with Chinese-English language capabilities.
To ensure implementation, the city will strengthen policy coordination, improve supply-demand matching, encourage technological innovation, support AI laboratories, and cultivate pilot projects.
Officials said the action plan will serve as a guide for expanding AI applications across the cultural and tourism industry, enriching smart tourism scenarios, improving public services, and enhancing governance through technological innovation.
By leveraging artificial intelligence, the capital city aims to further strengthen its position as a leading destination for culture, tourism and innovation while creating more convenient, immersive and personalized experiences for residents and visitors alike.
