In a thousand-year-old ancient temple, a robotic dog gracefully weaves between the halls and pavilions. It is not only skilled at transporting goods but also a fun companion in the eyes of children.
The morning sun streams through the curtains, and the smart robot “Xiao Duo” gently wakes me up: “Master, today is October 2, 2025, the second day of the National Day holiday. The weather is clear and perfect for outdoor activities.” I rubbed my sleepy eyes and remembered the report I saw on the news yesterday about the “AI police officer” in the West Lake scenic area, deciding to experience the integration of technology and cultural tourism firsthand today.
01 The Robotic Dog Guide in the Ancient Temple
As I stepped into the ancient gate of Tanzhe Temple, I was surprised to find a flexible robotic dog weaving through the tourists. It not only transports goods but also interacts playfully with visitors. When a group of children gathered around, the robotic dog obediently sat down, wagging its electronic tail and greeting them with a cute mechanical voice.“This is our new smart tour guide introduced in the scenic area,” a staff member explained with a smile, “It is familiar with the history of every attraction in the temple and can provide explanations to visitors at any time.” I tried asking the robotic dog, “How old is this ancient cypress?” It immediately retrieved detailed information and vividly narrated the long history of the thousand-year-old cypress.Unlike traditional tour guides, this robotic dog can automatically adjust its pace according to the walking speed of the visitors, ensuring that no guest is left behind. Even more astonishing, it can recognize the facial expressions of visitors and will kindly suggest rest points if it detects someone looking tired.
02 Encounter with the AI Police Officer by West Lake
In the afternoon, I moved to West Lake in Hangzhou, where I witnessed the spectacular scene of “human-robot joint patrols”. At the Pinghu Qiu Yue scenic spot, the smart robot “Hang Xiao Xi” and the robotic dog “Hang Xiao Miao” were patrolling alongside the West Lake police.“Hang Xiao Xi” transformed into a mobile promotion station, actively shaking hands with me and then broadcasting anti-fraud knowledge: “Please be cautious of scams such as ‘fake ticket sales’ and ‘low-priced travel packages’ during the National Day holiday.”When I correctly answered her anti-fraud question, the police staff rewarded me with a limited edition “Police Bear” toy.The most eye-catching moment arrived—these AI police officers moved their bodies flexibly to the upbeat rhythm, performing dance moves like waving and spinning. The robotic dog shook its head playfully, occasionally stopping to make eye contact with tourists, looking adorably clumsy. A tourist named Ms. Li excitedly told me, “I used to think that patrolling and anti-fraud promotion were serious matters, but today seeing robots shake hands and robotic dogs being cute, responsible for safety patrols while also interacting and teaching knowledge, feels particularly fresh!”
03 The Support of the Climbing Exoskeleton
After leaving West Lake, I headed to Baihua Mountain Scenic Area, where they introduced smart climbing exoskeleton robots. While donning the equipment, the staff explained, “This exoskeleton can sense the climber’s intent and provide assistance when climbing steep slopes, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery more easily.”I was initially skeptical, but when I started climbing a steep stone staircase, I distinctly felt a gentle push in my waist and thighs. Accompanying me was an elderly man in his sixties, who was wearing the exoskeleton and moving as fast as the younger people. “With this helper, I can finally achieve my dream of reaching the summit,” he remarked, “Technology truly puts people first.”Upon reaching the summit and overlooking the mountains, I couldn’t help but ponder: the integration of technology and nature can be so harmonious. These innovations not only do not diminish the charm of nature but also allow more people to appreciate the grandeur of the mountains and rivers.
04 AI Experience Zone at Xinglong Lake
On the afternoon of the second day of the holiday, I rushed to Xinglong Lake, where the “AI Xinglong Lake·Tianfu Good Life” artificial intelligence experience zone was being held. The venue was bustling with people, and the dinosaur robot became the star exhibit, with children excitedly screaming around this lifelike “big guy.”In front of the AI sugar painting machine from Mingtu Technology, I witnessed the perfect combination of tradition and technology—the robotic arm precisely controlled the flow of syrup to create vivid patterns. Next to it, the Hongshan Boyu ice cream robot satisfied the taste buds of visitors with its skilled production techniques.What impressed me the most was the unmanned shuttle vehicle from Jinruiqi. From the south side of the lakeside square to the visitor center, I experienced the convenience of driverless travel. The vehicle moved smoothly, automatically avoiding pedestrians, making me feel as if I had entered the future of transportation.“Today I brought my child to participate in the fun run, and I didn’t expect such a fantastic AI experience zone,” said Li Xia, who was out with her child. “My child particularly loves that dinosaur robot and wouldn’t leave it. These tech exhibits are not only fun but also allow children to learn a lot of knowledge.”
05 The Driving Force Behind Tech Tourism
As evening approached, I organized my experiences from the day and pondered why the new scene of “technology + cultural tourism” has become so popular. From a national perspective, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been vigorously promoting the development of smart tourism in recent years, accelerating the construction of smart scenic areas and resorts.So far, there have been 36 smart tourism solutions, 39 typical cases of smart tourism for the elderly, and 42 new immersive experience spaces in smart tourism providing references for the industry.From the demand side, the children who have grown up today are a generation raised with technology, naturally interested in tech products. The fact that over 30 million people visited science museums nationwide during the summer of 2025 is a testament to this.The essence of tech tourism is the “mutual pursuit” of the hard power of technological development and the soft power of the cultural tourism industry, with public services being the key bridge. From smart tour guide systems in scenic areas to the coverage of barrier-free facilities, and to the presence of professional science popularization volunteers, these meticulous services not only ensure a smooth experience for visitors but also allow more groups to deeply participate in this technological cultural tourism feast.On my way back, my phone received a notification: during this National Day holiday, the proportion of smart tourism in the overall tourism economy is expected to exceed one-third. Technology is no longer just an embellishment in scenic areas but has become the essence of the travel experience itself.When I returned home, the robot “Xiao Duo” had prepared dinner. It told me: “Master, I have generated a commemorative album of today’s journey, including photos with the robotic dog and videos of the AI police dancing.” I smiled, thinking, this is the National Day holiday of 2025—technology not only changed our way of travel but also enriched our memory carriers.