Harbin ARcollage

On the Central Avenue in Harbin, China, a strong sense of history intertwined with modern vibrancy attracts both locals and tourists. However, preserving its cultural essence while embracing modernization remains a challenge. One the one hand, overcommercialization risks overshadowing the avenue’s historic charm. On the other hand, the lack of on-site information makes it difficult for visitors to fully appreciate its architectural heritage.

Harbin ARcollage is a mobile app that bridges this gap through an interactive digital experience with three key features:

Smart Navigation & Mapping – A built-in mapping service provides visitors with an overview of the district, help them navigate the trip when visiting the place. This can reduce the chances of getting lost.

Artistic Architectural Storytelling – Harbin ARcollage provides systematic and authentic information about historic buildings on the avenue, presented in a visual style inspired by art museums, to give users the experience just like they are wandering in an open-air architectural exhibition.

Interactive “City Collage” Creation – Visitors scan heritage sites to unlock AR models. And after their trip, they can create their own “city collage” of Harbin using the collected models, which can be a personalized digital souvenir. This feature enables more interactions between visitors and the place, making their trip more enjoyable and impressive through gamification.

By integrating historic narratives with AR technology, Harbin ARcollage redefines the travel experience of urban heritage, effectively connecting past and present while ensuring the heritage remains vibrant for future generations.