Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.104> Article
Research Article

Digital Storytelling Strategies for Cultural Heritage and Cultural Identity of Young Audiences--A Case Study of the 'Cloud Tour Dunhuang' Mini Program

Xiaoxuan LuZhujiang College of South China Agricultural University* Yefei PanSanjiang University

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Digital technology is driving the transformation of cultural heritage communication towards interactive, experiential digital storytelling. The "generational gap" between young people and traditional culture, along with the risk of cultural content weakening in digital communication, makes it an important issue to explore how digital storytelling can revitalize cultural heritage and build deep cultural identity among youth. This paper takes the "Cloud Tour Dunhuang" mini-program as a case study and, based on the Lasswell 5W model, systematically analyzes its digital storytelling practice from five dimensions: communication subject, content, channel, audience, and effect. The study finds that the mini-program effectively promotes youth cultural identification on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels through implicit authority of the subject, contextualized content, lightweight channels, and audience participatory design using multimodal storytelling. However, it also has limitations such as superficial narrative, insufficient multimodal coordination, and a lack of deep audience engagement. Based on this, the paper suggests strengthening the systematic design of cultural depth, enhancing deep multimodal integration, and guiding deep audience participation to balance technological interaction with cultural content transmission, promoting the transformation of youth from shallow experiences to deep cultural identification.

Keywords: Digital Storytelling; Cultural Heritage; Youth Audience; Cultural Identity; Virtual Dunhuang
Published: March 9, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.HT32116
Volume: CHR Vol.104
pp. 133-139
Download PDF

References

  1. Liu, Y. (2020). Examining Museums' "Persistence" and "Transformation" Through the Lens of Museum Live Streaming. Cultural Relics Appraisal and Appreciation, (18), 150-152.
  2. Zhang, N. (2024-01-04). Promoting the Digital Sharing and Return of Dunhuang Cultural and Artistic Resources. China Culture Daily, 006.
  3. Xie, Z. (2020). How Museums Innovate Cultural Communication in the Context of Media Convergence. Northern Media Studies, (06), 81-85.
  4. Gao, J., Zhong, L., & Wang, Y. (2024). Exploring Immersive Communication in the Metaverse Digital Cultural Exhibition Through "Digital Dunhuang". China Media Technology, (10), 137-141.
  5. Lyu, Q., & Wang, X. (2025). Service Innovations, New Communication Patterns, and Practical Benefits of Digital Cultural Tourism: An Investigation Based on WeChat Mini Program "YunyouDunhuang". Journal of Northwest Minzu University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), (02), 74-84.
  6. Zhao, Q. (2022). The New Media Transformation and Communication Value of Digital Cultural Relics Resources: A Case Study of the "Yunyou Dunhuang" WeChat Mini Program. Western Radio and Television, 43(09), 63-65+88.
  7. Hu, Z., & Wang, J. (2025). The Impact of Digital Exhibition of Cultural Heritage on Young People's Cultural Identity: A Case Study of the WeChat Mini Program "Yunyou Dunhuang". Haihe Media, (05), 58-63.
  8. Wang, C., & Chen, Q. (2025). Exploring Interactive Digital Narratives in Virtual Museum Mini-programs: A Case Study of the "Yunyou Dunhuang" Mini-program. China Media Technology, (02), 18-24.
  9. Simone, & Natal. (2016). Unveiling the biographies of media: on the role of narratives, anecdotes, and storytelling in the construction of new media's histories. Communication Theory, 26(4), 431-449.
  10. Li, N. (2025). Story Crisis in the Era of Deep Media. Chinese Literary and Art Criticism, (06), 95-98+128.
  11. Li, Q., & Li, N. (2024). Social media and adolescents' prosocial behavior: evidence of the interaction between short videos and social value orientation. Psychology Research & Behavior Management, 17.
  12. Zhao, Z., & Fan, S. (2021). The Transformation and Communication Strategy of Cultural and Museological Industry in the Digital Age: Taking the Live Broadcast of Xi'an Stele Forest Museum as an Example. News and Writing, (06), 96-99.