At the invitation of the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and Shijingshan District Government, journalists from 51 countries went to the Moshikou Historical and Cultural Block and Shougang Park on March 16th. The tour included visits to the Tuoling Ancient Road Historical and Cultural Block, the ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center, Metaverse Odyssey Sci-Tech Concept Exhibition, as well as to high-tech enterprises engaging in AI, VR, and 3D panoramic sound, where journalists had an immersive experience of Beijing's urban renewal and sci-tech innovation.

As if taking a step back in time, they entered the Moshikou Historical and Cultural Block on a sunny spring day to learn about the cultural heritage of this millennium-old street and how it was renewed.

Some savored a cup of mellow coffee by the Tuoling Ancient Road; some felt the hustle and bustle amid the busy traffic; and some basked in the rare tranquility of the lush mountains and forests. What urban renewal has brought is more than modern, convenient facilities; it has also enlivened the city's history and culture.

After being shown the 3D animated murals at the Fahai Temple Mural Art Center, they went to see the original artworks at the Fahai Temple, which is known as Beijing's "Little Dunhuang".

"Science fiction fuels technological advancement with imagination, while technology brings sci-fi concepts to reality. These exhibits represent a number of future technologies, and the exhibition showcases a host of futuristic sci-fi scenarios." Said one journalist. They listened attentively and explored the metaverse odyssey's metaverse-themed sci-tech exhibition at the ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center. Along with their lavish praise – "fantastic", "amazing", and "incredible", they also expressed willingness to facilitate exchange and cooperation.

ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center is currently home to over 60 cutting-edge high-tech firms, spanning a diverse range of fields including distributed artificial intelligence, rendering engines, 3D panoramic sound, and drones. In addition, the center also hosts specialized experimental platforms such as an intelligent cockpit lab and a 3D audio lab.

At LUSTER, a company specializing in machine vision, fiber optics, and the simulation of eyes and brains in machines, a vivid digital world was demystified by the staff. At WANOS, they were introduced to WANOS Sky Sound, with a more realistic and immersive sound experience in 3D space. In the "SoReal Metaverse Paradise", they learned about and tried products using the cutting-edge 5G+XR technology, feeling the joy of being a Winter Olympic athlete firsthand.

Dime, a journalist from Macedonian Radio & Television (MRT), said that the ancient and beautiful buildings in the Moshikou Block of Shijingshan District have been given a whole new look. It is of great significance to preserve and pass on history and culture. The experience of Moshikou Block in keeping the past alive should be promoted.

The reporter from the Magyar Hirlap, Márton, was impressed by the tech firms and praised Beijing's remarkable achievements in these fields. "I think it's good for us," he added, "we can work together to improve the audiovisual technology and film production process."

According to Momodou Lamin, a journalist at QTV Gambia, "It was a wonderful experience and I was impressed by how Beijing showcased its culture and history with digital technologies. The high-tech products at the ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center embodied excellent scientific research and innovation, which will improve the lives of people around the world in the future. I will share my experiences and feelings with the Gambian audience."

Planned by the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, the "Foreign Journalists Visit Beijing" series event focuses on the capital's development in the new era, incorporation of the Five Key Initiatives into the new development paradigm, business environment improvement as well as the priorities of each district. By combining visits with immersive experiences, foreign journalists are invited to tour around Beijing and learn about its rapidly growing economic vitality, which creates a favorable external environment for economic recovery to support the city's high-quality development.