Ancient Mogao Grottoes murals get 3-D projection treatment

A 3-D depiction of one of China's most famous Buddhist cave sites yesterday drew mixed reactions from visitors, depending on whether or not they had seen the original.

The 360-degree panoramic projection of the Mogao Grottoes, located at a historic trade and cultural crossroads on the ancient Silk Road, was officially launched at the Hong Kong Book Fair yesterday.

Organisers say the theatre uses pioneering virtual reality technology to give a true-to-life experience of being inside the 1,000-year-old cave temples at Dunhuang in the northwestern Gansu province .

But visitor Cham Chung-kwong, who had been to the real grottoes, complained he did not have enough time to view the 3-D murals properly. "It was not particularly impressive, and the 3-D technology was unrealistic. But if you've never been to the real thing, I think you would find it quite special."

Kathy Ko, 9, who had not seen the real thing, said she enjoyed the experience, describing it as a rare chance to "see the Mogao Grottoes in person".

"The production was made with heart," she said. "The thing looked very real and it was beautiful."