Enter the Forbidden City

Filed in archive Web2.0 Software on October 11, 2008

If you're someone that likes culture and history, IBM's new "Forbidden City" is essentially an online exhibit you can attend right from the comfort of your own home. Simply click through to the website (for free) and enter an exact replica of the 178-acre Forbidden City.

The project took three years, and includes not just the buildings but each artifact as well. Once inside you can apparently, " choose an avatar, dress him or her up in Qing Dynasty-era robes, take virtual tours, play Go with computer-controlled characters, call up maps, explore buildings and objects that allow you to click for deeper information."

The goal of all this is to provide "the means for a world-wide audience to celebrate and explore aspects of Chinese culture and history." ~source

I think this is a great idea, especially for kids. How cool is it to not only learn about history, but essentially enter the world and explore it? It totally changes the way you learn and remember how important history (and different cultures) are. Much better than just slugging through a textbook.