As the digital economy reshapes industries worldwide, Internet 3.0 has emerged as a pivotal force driving the next wave of technological and industrial transformation. With strong foundations in artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual reality, and advanced network communications, Beijing is rapidly positioning itself as a leading global hub for Internet 3.0 innovation and industrial development.
Backed by strategic support from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Zhongguancun Science Park Management Committee, the city is intensifying efforts to strengthen core technology research, build shared technical platforms, and expand real-world applications across urban landscapes.
The Rise of Beijing’s First Internet 3.0 Industrial Park
At the heart of Beijing’s digital transformation lies the Zhongguancun Internet 3.0 Industrial Park, the city’s first specialized zone dedicated to fostering innovation across the entire Internet 3.0 value chain. Home to over 170 companies, including industry leaders like YUNO Technology and Weiling Era, this hub serves as a breeding ground for breakthroughs in digital twins, blockchain infrastructure, immersive computing, and decentralized systems.
Inside the park’s exhibition hall, YUNO Technology demonstrates its fully self-developed digital twin engine—a core component of Internet 3.0 that creates dynamic 3D simulations of physical environments. According to Zhong Zhixiang, partner at YUNO, their platform enables remote monitoring and intelligent management of complex systems such as electric vehicle battery swap stations.
“Traditionally, one charging station requires three operators. With our 3D digital operations platform, fewer than 10 people can manage up to 1,000 stations,” Zhong explains.
This leap in operational efficiency highlights how digital twin technology is revolutionizing sectors like energy, manufacturing, logistics, and finance—proving essential for building scalable, data-driven smart cities.
The broader Chaoyang District now hosts more than 1,200 metaverse-related enterprises, forming one of China’s most concentrated clusters of next-generation tech talent and innovation.
Metaverse Applications Transforming Urban Life
Beyond industrial parks and labs, Internet 3.0 technologies are already enriching everyday life across Beijing through immersive, real-world applications.
In Tongzhou District’s Design Town, the 18,000-square-meter Metaverse Application Innovation Center has become a launchpad for cutting-edge robotics and AI integration. Renjia Intelligent Robotics, founded by researchers from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, is developing AI-powered visual perception systems that allow robots to understand and navigate physical environments.
“Our goal is to give intelligent agents eyes with near-human cognition, accelerating AI adoption across industries,” says Li Jiajun, a company representative. Their solutions are now deployed in retail, mining, agriculture, and logistics operations across nearly 40 countries.
Meanwhile, in Shijingshan District, the iconic Shougang Steel Plant’s No.1 Blast Furnace has been reborn as SoReal Metaverse Park, a futuristic entertainment complex where visitors wear VR headsets to explore interactive digital worlds, engage in multiplayer battles, and experience sci-fi storytelling in shared virtual spaces.
Sports fans in Chaoyang are also embracing immersive experiences through the Workers’ Stadium Metaverse project. Unable to attend live matches? No problem—just put on a VR headset and choose your ideal viewing angle in a fully simulated stadium environment.
Even tourism is being redefined. The Digital Grand Canal Tour, launched in Tongzhou, offers an immersive 5A-level digital experience that blends history with augmented storytelling. Since its debut, the project has seen:
- A 50% increase in visitor numbers
- A repeat visit rate of 45.96%
- Annual revenue approaching 7 million RMB
These figures underscore the commercial viability and cultural resonance of well-executed metaverse experiences.
Building Foundational Platforms for Internet 3.0 Growth
Sustained innovation requires robust infrastructure. To reduce development costs, solve common technical challenges, and accelerate industry-wide progress, Beijing has established several shared technology platforms focused on key Internet 3.0 capabilities:
- Light field imaging platforms for high-fidelity 3D content capture
- 3D rendering engines enabling realistic virtual environments
- Digital asset circulation systems supporting secure NFT and token-based transactions
These platforms serve as collaborative R&D bases where startups, enterprises, and research institutions can co-develop tools, test new ideas, and refine technologies in a supportive ecosystem.
By lowering entry barriers and promoting interoperability, these initiatives help unify fragmented efforts across the metaverse landscape—paving the way for seamless cross-platform experiences.
Strategic Roadmap: Strengthening Core Tech and Ecosystems
Looking ahead, Beijing plans to deepen coordination between municipal and district-level agencies to advance a comprehensive strategy for Internet 3.0 growth. Key priorities include:
- Intensifying research into core foundational technologies such as AI-driven avatars, spatial computing, and decentralized identity
- Expanding support for open-source frameworks and developer communities
- Launching more pilot programs in education, healthcare, urban governance, and cultural heritage
- Cultivating a favorable policy environment that encourages responsible innovation
With its rich mix of academic excellence, tech talent, historical assets, and forward-thinking governance, Beijing is uniquely positioned to lead China—and potentially the world—in shaping the future of the open metaverse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Internet 3.0?
A: Internet 3.0 refers to the next evolution of the web, built on decentralized technologies like blockchain, AI, VR/AR, and digital twins. It enables immersive, user-owned digital experiences—often associated with the metaverse—and supports persistent virtual worlds with real economic systems.
Q: How does Beijing support Internet 3.0 startups?
A: Through dedicated industrial parks like Zhongguancun Internet 3.0 Park, shared R&D platforms, funding incentives, talent programs, and regulatory sandboxes that allow safe testing of new technologies in real-world settings.
Q: What role does AI play in Internet 3.0?
A: AI powers intelligent avatars, natural language interactions, environment generation, and behavior modeling within virtual spaces. It enhances realism and personalization in metaverse applications—from customer service bots to autonomous virtual agents.
Q: Are digital assets secure in Internet 3.0 platforms?
A: Yes—digital assets such as NFTs and tokens are secured using cryptographic techniques and stored on decentralized blockchains, ensuring ownership transparency and reducing fraud risks.
Q: Can Internet 3.0 technologies be used outside entertainment?
A: Absolutely. Beyond gaming and social media, they’re applied in smart cities (e.g., digital twins for infrastructure), education (virtual classrooms), healthcare (surgical simulation), manufacturing (remote monitoring), and cultural preservation (digital heritage).
Q: What makes Beijing a leader in metaverse development?
A: Its concentration of top-tier universities, tech firms, government backing, diverse application scenarios (sports, tourism, industry), and early investment in foundational platforms give Beijing a strategic edge in scaling metaverse innovations nationwide.
Core Keywords: Internet 3.0, metaverse, digital twin, blockchain technology, virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), shared technology platforms, decentralized systems