The Liangzhu civilization, discovered in 1936, is the earliest known mature monarchical civilization in Chinese history. Its unique characteristics—a planned central capital, hydraulic dams, water transportation, advanced agriculture, jade industry, and durable architecture—significantly influenced China's political, economic, agricultural, and cultural development. The regeneration of Liangzhu culture is crucial to making this ancient civilization more accessible to the public and contributing to China's economic and cultural growth. The Liangzhu Ancient City Remains Park and Liangzhu Museum, established in 2019 and 2018 respectively, offer opportunities to adopt advanced philosophies for cultural restoration, including multimedia exhibitions, integration with innovative cultural products, and engagement with nearby areas. While some spillover benefits are seen in neighboring areas, current exhibition modes are still in the preliminary stages and require improvement. This article aims to provide recommendations for improving exhibitions by introducing innovative methods and technologies like simulated restoration, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). It also addresses the integration of Liangzhu culture with innovative cultural products and the development of nearby areas, proposing a comprehensive regeneration model applicable to similar archaeological cultures.

The literature review examines existing practices in exhibiting Liangzhu culture and similar cultural regeneration projects. Case studies of the Liangzhu Museum's architecture and the Liangzhu Cultural Village highlight the integration of archaeological cultures with architectural design. Several articles discuss the planning of the Liangzhu Ancient City Remains Park and preservation methods for "large" and "earthen" archaeological sites. The review also addresses current exhibition methods using VR, AR, restored simulations, and ecological signposting. However, the review highlights shortcomings in the development of innovative cultural products, citing issues such as ambiguous marketing targets, a lack of research into customer preferences, and limited sales channels. Finally, the review examines the integration of archaeological cultures with nearby areas, emphasizing the need for understanding the spiritual connections local communities have with their original living spaces and their participation in heritage conservation.

This article combines the author's observations with information from literature and a questionnaire interview with a Nanjing Museum manager involved in Liangzhu cultural excavation. The literature review comprises English articles on VR/AR applications in global archaeological exhibitions and Chinese articles on multimedia exhibition methods, simulated restorations, innovative cultural products, and nearby public space construction. The questionnaire interview (available online) involved nine open-ended questions to gather information on the current and planned usage of VR, AR, and simulated restorations in Liangzhu exhibitions. The methodology acknowledges limitations of using a single interview but argues that the interviewee's expertise assures the authoritativeness and authenticity of the answers. The article then analyzes exhibition strategies for "large" and "earthen" archaeological sites, focusing on multimedia exhibitions and simulated restorations, referencing examples from other archaeological sites in China and globally. The methodology also considers the development and design of innovative cultural products, examining design motifs and recommending strategies for product innovation and market research. Finally, it addresses the integration of Liangzhu culture with nearby areas, discussing methods for public space construction, the importance of spirit-space relations and community involvement, and the need to avoid potential conflicts of interest arising from real estate development.

The article suggests several key improvements. For exhibitions, it recommends utilizing multimedia presentations, such as vapour screen and waterfall projections, and more sophisticated simulated restorations. These include utilizing abstract representations of architectural profiles and emphasizing column structures using plinths, vegetation, or half-length columns. For innovative cultural products, the study proposes developing systematic product lines based on categorized cultural themes and conducting thorough market research to understand customer preferences. Integration of nearby areas should prioritize maintaining spiritual connections with original villages through respectful design of new public spaces, employing local residents in tourism-related jobs, and avoiding conflicts of interest in land use. Concerning VR/AR, the article proposes offsite and onsite VR displays for the archaeological sites and museum. It also suggests using VR for improving excavation and preservation methods and building a hybrid VR model for the museum that combines panoramic images of exhibition halls with 3D models of cultural relics. For AR, the article advocates for using "edge-based tracking" for registering physical remains with digital models and "location-based tracking" for navigation. It further suggests integrating AR with simulated restorations, interactive activities, innovative cultural products, and public space constructions.

The findings of this research address the need for a more comprehensive and innovative approach to the regeneration of Liangzhu culture. The suggestions for improved exhibition techniques, cultural product development, and community engagement aim to create a more engaging and authentic experience for visitors while simultaneously benefiting local communities. The emphasis on VR and AR technologies represents a move toward creating immersive and interactive learning experiences. The discussion emphasizes that all exhibition forms should serve the educational and promotional goals of presenting the culture accurately and engagingly. The focus on Liangzhu's secular nature, focusing on productivity and daily life, allows for lighter, more accessible tourist experiences. The article's emphasis on the "edge-to-edge" AR registration method highlights its potential to revolutionize cultural heritage tourism by providing a more portable and engaging means of presenting information.

This article presents a holistic approach to regenerating Liangzhu culture, encompassing improved exhibition methods, innovative cultural product development, community integration, and the strategic use of VR and AR technologies. The focus on "edge-to-edge" AR registration offers a particularly innovative way to connect digital and physical aspects of the cultural site. The success of these recommendations hinges on China's technological capabilities and industrial development. Future research should investigate the long-term impacts of these suggested interventions and explore the potential of further technological advances in this field.

The primary limitation is the reliance on a single interview for a substantial portion of the analysis. While the interviewee's expertise lends credibility, a wider range of perspectives might offer richer insights. The recommendations are also grounded in current Chinese technological and industrial capabilities, meaning that future technological advancements could potentially alter the feasibility or effectiveness of some of the proposed strategies. The study focuses primarily on the Liangzhu site, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other archaeological contexts.