Ever visited one of Hong Kong's historical buildings only to find it was closed when you arrived? No time to travel to remote heritage sites? Your heritage tours will no longer be limited by space and time thanks to an online application developed by the Antiquities & Monuments Office.

The Virtual Heritage Explorer project provides a 360-degree panorama of 62 local historic sites and two heritage trails. People can join the interactive virtual tour anytime, anywhere through the Internet.

Hi-tech heritage: Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre Curator Ada Yau shows the Virtual Heritage Explorer, which provides 360-degree views of historical sites and buildings, such as Tung Lung Fort.

Life-like images

Heritage Discovery Centre Curator Ada Yau told news.gov.hk the application allows people to virtually visit heritage sites online before they actually go there, so they can get more information in advance and nurture their interest in local heritage.

"In selecting these sites we considered their aesthetic and historical value, and suitability in making them a virtual tour," Mrs Yau said.

The website provides not only still photos, background information, and 3-D floor plans, but also 360-degree panorama views in various locations both inside and outside the buildings. Users can explore a monument's every detail by dragging the cursor to change viewing angles and by zooming in and out.

Assistant Curator Katherine Chu said the application's 360-degree panorama views make it distinct from other virtual tours that only show basic views.

"The 360-degree views are more interesting as you can look up to the sky and down to the ground. It makes it feel more real."

Full coverage

Ms Chu said the production team used a fish-eye lens to shoot the sites for a wider angle, because many historical buildings have exquisite decorations on their roofs. Although it takes more time and is more difficult to process images taken by a fish-eye lens, Ms Chu said it shows the buildings' beautiful rooftop features.

About 3,000 DVDs will be produced and distributed to schools and educational organisations in January.

Encouraging people to visit the real sites featured on the virtual tour, Mrs Yau recommended the Ping Shan and Lung Yeuk Tau heritage trails in the New Territories which are suitable for one-day or half-day trips.

"People can consider visiting these two heritage trails during the Christmas holiday. They will feel very different by getting away from the crowded city and seeing historical buildings and heritage sites in the scenic countryside," Mrs Yau said.