Digital Footprint of the Xishu Garden: A Case Study of the San Su Shrine Digital Preservation

The Chinese Classical Garden is an important World Cultural Heritage site. The incorporation of digital recording methods in its preservation is an efficacious approach to safeguarding its cultural heritage value. Using the San Su Shrine as a case study, the theoretical framework of landscape informatics is employed in this study to demonstrate the application of 3D laser scanning and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography technologies in digital conservation research. The objective of this study is to acquire data and construct a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud model. This study employs two-dimensional mapping and 3D real-scene modelling to conduct feature extraction and quantitative analysis in three key areas: garden layout, commemorative items, and narrative spatial units. A research strategy is developed that focuses on the preservation of legacy gardens using digital means. The technical aspects and benefits associated with the recording, analysis, preservation, and restoration of the Xishu Garden are discussed.