Coming to a screen: WCLA uses VR to showcase historic Lahore

Authority is developing new website with tours and information

LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has decided to use virtual reality (VR) technology to showcase the old and unique heritage of the walled city through its website walledcitylahore.gop.pk.

The authority is developing its new website which will offer VR tours of different sites of the walled city, especially historical monuments. These VR tours will enable people to see the walled city from anywhere in the world, a spokesperson for the WCLA told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

She said currently the new website is under construction and will soon be available to people around the world. The new website will have several dynamic features for easy access and quick flow of information.

New sections of videos and testimonials are also being added with live social media feed. A new feature of purchasing online tickets of heritage sites, like Lahore Fort and Shahi Hammam, is also being added along with an online shop where publications and other products by the WCLA will be available for the people to buy.

The first website was made when the authority was established in 2012. With increase in work and activities of the WCLA, it was planned to redesign the website using more dynamic features and latest technologies. The new website will have completely changed layout with videos of the walled city.

Virtual reality tours section is also a part of this new website. This will provide an introduction of VR tour and leads to a virtual reality subscription page. The VR tours of different monuments inside the walled city will be showcased here with a detailed description. Infographics of the walled city will also be added in this website. Historical sites to visit will also be included for tourism purposes. Events, blogs, news, advertisements, testimonials and picture gallery will also be added. Online booking of guided tours will also be done from the website. Google map integration will also be available.

WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said technology has made things easier for people and that is why the authority was upgrading and re-launching the official website of the WCLA. “It will have all that heritage lovers need.”

He added the effort is being made to increase awareness about the Walled City of Lahore among the masses and on a global scale. So far, all the information regarding walled city has not been available on the internet and many interesting places are missing. “For this purpose, we will be providing a complete guide on the website for the heritage lovers and those who want to know more about WCLA activities.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2018.