The attire of the military from the Tang Dynasty holds great importance in the history of China as it is a reminder of that period’s skillful artistry alongside the unique military characteristics of the time. Unfortunately, most surviving artifacts are incomplete or destroyed due to historical policies, environmental factors, and the materials' low durability. As such, museums display many replicas or damaged relics that cannot authentically represent Tang Dynasty military clothing. Even well-preserved, unearthed armor suffers from deterioration, limited restoration techniques, and unforgiving material composition. Thus, there is little conservation or exhibition the armor can be subjected to. Consequently, the need to find new methods for enhanced cultural heritage display and preservation within the sustainable development framework has become one of the most essential concerns in culture, tourism, and even archaeology. This research centers on the virtual preservation of military attire from the Tang Dynasty. It looks into the impact of 3D modeling, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and CLO3D on modern cultural heritage preservation. The study seeks to demonstrate how 3D modeling can be employed in clothing recreation so that accurate digital representations can be used in academic research and museum exhibits. Visitors can interact with the exhibit as they “try on” the clothing virtually and assess comfort, weight, and ease of movement. Moreover, AR technology in museums enables the fusion of virtual images of Tang Dynasty clothing with physical displays, enhancing learning. This research examines how digital conservations shift the dependence from tangible artifacts toward cultural transmission while encouraging low-carbon cultural tourism. The methodology used in this study is qualitative and consists of a historiographic literature review, evaluative research synthesis, and case study analysis. The scope of historical documents and archeological data is reviewed to assess the importance of the Tang dynasty military dress and its conservational difficulties. Evaluative case studies on the impact of digital engagement on museum visitors and sustainability are analyzed. Lastly, digital exhibition techniques are explored to develop guidelines for practical digital conservation of museums, cultural tourism, and heritage propagation. The outcomes of this research aim to design a digitally sustainable conservation model for Tang dynasty military dress, providing them with theoretical and practical guidelines for museums, cultural institutions, and tourism authorities. This work advocates for a better understanding of the Tang military culture, amplifies the need for long-term digital preservation, and contributes to the ecologically sustainable development of cultural tourism.
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