From "Endangered" to "Breaking the Circle": The Digital Force Behind the Revival of Intangible Cultural Heritage Taoyan Inkstones

A millennium of Tao River green—where the sharp edge of the blade meets the radiant glow of blue light in a mesmerizing symphony. The Tao砚, one of China’s Four Great Inkstones, once teetered on the brink of extinction due to the challenges of mining and the loss of its intricate craftsmanship. Today, thanks to the power of digital technology, this ancient intangible cultural heritage is experiencing a vibrant revival. The Qiyuan Visual AlphaScan 3D scanner captures every nuanced detail—down to the most delicate knife strokes and ornate carvings—translating them into the digital realm with astonishing precision: an incredible 0.02 millimeters. This groundbreaking process ensures that these time-honored techniques, on the verge of being lost forever, can be preserved for future generations. Join us in this video as we explore Gansu’s journey to revive the Tao砚 tradition, witnessing firsthand the seamless fusion of traditional carving tools and cutting-edge digital blue light—and discovering how technology is empowering the safeguarding of our cultural legacy, allowing this iconic inkstone, steeped in millennia of history, to step onto a global stage.