Damon Wright adjusts the settings on his camera, the golden hues of a Southeast Asian sunrise spilling across the lens. As a photographer-turned-virtual reality (VR) storyteller, Damon is on a mission: to capture the beauty and essence of Asia’s rich cultural heritage for a new generation of global audiences. His work isn’t just about taking pictures anymore; it’s about bringing the world closer to history and tradition through immersive digital experiences.

“In VR, the goal isn’t just to show something—it’s to make you feel like you’re standing there,” Damon says, reflecting on his last project, a sprawling digital landscape that reconstructed the ancient markets of Samarkand. Though he’s yet to visit some of the groundbreaking initiatives happening across Asia, like Angkor Wat’s digital preservation project or Tibetan monastery virtual tours, Damon is inspired by how technology is making these experiences accessible and unforgettable. “For people who might never get the chance to physically visit, this kind of tech is priceless. It’s not just travel—it’s cultural empathy,” he explains.

Ancient Ruins, Digital Futures

Perhaps the most ambitious tech-driven cultural preservation effort in Asia is unfolding in Cambodia, where the ancient city of Angkor Wat is being digitally reconstructed. Through partnerships between organizations like CyArk, a nonprofit dedicated to digitally preserving heritage sites, and the Cambodian Ministry of Culture, these ruins are being laser-scanned and mapped in extraordinary detail.

These digital models serve multiple purposes. They allow scientists to analyze the impact of environmental factors, like flooding and erosion, and they preserve the intricate carvings and structures for future generations. They also power immersive VR experiences, offering travelers the chance to “wander” the temple halls from anywhere in the world.

“Projects like this resonate deeply with what I do,” Damon says. “When you photograph these places for VR, you’re not just documenting bricks and mortar—you’re preserving a human story, a spiritual connection.” He recalls a time in India where he photographed ancient Jain temples for a similar project, marveling at how their meticulous detailing came alive in a virtual headset. “It’s like time travel. You see something and suddenly understand how generations of people connected to that space.”

Saving Endangered Dialects with AI

While physical monuments can be scanned and preserved, the intangible aspects of culture—like language—pose a different challenge. Across Asia, thousands of dialects are on the brink of extinction, including many spoken by Indigenous and nomadic communities. But AI is stepping in to help.

For example, in China, the Shanghai-based tech company iFLYTEK has been using artificial intelligence to document and preserve endangered dialects, such as those spoken by the Yi or Miao ethnic groups. Their algorithms analyze hours of spoken language, transcribing and archiving them for linguistic study and educational tools.

“It’s incredible,” Damon muses. “Language isn’t just words—it’s culture, identity, history. When you preserve a dialect, you’re keeping an entire way of thinking alive.” He reflects on the power of hearing a story in its original language: “I once did a VR project on Pacific Island communities, and when I played back their stories in their native tongue, even without subtitles, the emotion came through. It’s like you’re hearing the heartbeat of a culture.”

Tibetan Monasteries in the Virtual Realm

In the Himalayas, Buddhist monasteries perched high in the mountains are increasingly difficult to access. Yet thanks to VR and 360-degree photography, these spiritual havens are opening their doors to the digital world. In one recent initiative, the Dharamsala-based Tibetan Monastery Virtual Reality Project created detailed virtual tours of sacred spaces, including the intricate murals of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa and the quiet meditation halls of smaller regional monasteries.

“For me, this is what tech is all about,” Damon says. “It’s not replacing the real thing, but it’s breaking down barriers—making these sacred places accessible for people who might never physically get there.” As he thinks about the power of these VR projects, he recalls a trip to a remote Thai monastery. “I remember standing there, surrounded by chanting monks, feeling completely at peace. Imagine if that experience could reach someone across the globe. How transformative would that be?”

From Blockchain to the Next Frontier

Even blockchain technology is playing a role in preserving Asia’s cultural treasures. In the Philippines, heritage artifacts and traditional crafts are being documented and secured on blockchain platforms to ensure their authenticity and traceability. This technology is helping artisans protect their intellectual property while connecting with global markets.

“It’s a fascinating blend of old and new,” Damon says, referencing how he’s started incorporating blockchain for licensing his own photography. “It’s one thing to preserve the past, but it’s another to empower people—especially artists and craftspeople—to share their culture with the world and make a living from it.”

A Global Responsibility

As Damon’s plane takes off for his next assignment, he reflects on the impact of his work. “When you’re immersed in capturing these projects, it’s easy to get caught up in the details—like the right angle, the right light—but then you step back and see the bigger picture. This isn’t just about saving history for one country or one culture. It’s a global responsibility.”

In a world where climate change, urbanization, and economic pressures threaten so much of what makes humanity unique, technology is proving to be an unlikely hero. Whether through VR, AI, or blockchain, Asia’s cultural heritage is being preserved—not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing connection to the present and future.

“Technology doesn’t just archive culture,” Damon concludes. “It amplifies it, extends it, and shares it. And that’s a gift worth giving.”