Explore Stunning Virtual Worlds Tonight! Smithsonian, Louvre, Angkor and Beyond
- The Doodle People
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Quick take:
You don’t need a ticket, a queue, or even an app. Tonight, you can walk through the Smithsonian, wander the Louvre, or explore Angkor Wat; all from your sofa. Virtual worlds aren’t just for gamers. They’re digital places anyone can step into, and they’re already changing how we enjoy culture. Let’s explore five worlds together, and see why they matter for us here in Singapore.
What counts as a virtual world?
When you hear “virtual world,” you might picture sci-fi avatars or fantasy battles. But the truth is simpler: a virtual world is any digital place where you feel present, not passive.
They come in many shapes:
2D social spaces like Gather.Town, where avatars meet on a flat map.
360 photo worlds like Google Earth or Matterport, where you look around real environments.
3D interactive worlds like the ones we at The Doodle People build with Spatial.io and Unity Game Engine, where you can walk, talk, and explore with others.
Different forms, same principle: presence, freedom, and connection.
Why Singapore should care
We’ve seen this locally. The National Gallery Singapore’s Namjooning Virtual Tour pairs Southeast Asian art with BTS songs about self-reflection. It’s calm, multilingual, and works perfectly on mobile. The first time I tried it, I felt the mood shift with the music. That’s better than just looking at pictures!
Dinosaurs in Your Living Room (Smithsonian, Washington D.C.)
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers a full virtual walkthrough. Fossil halls, ocean galleries, dinosaurs towering overhead; mapped so you can walk them like a real visit.
I once opened the dinosaur hall intending to “just peek.” Twenty minutes later, I was still circling a giant T-Rex skeleton, noticing shadows and scale.
Why it works:
You move room to room like in real life.
You choose your own path.
It runs in your browser, no installs.
Try it tonight and ask yourself, “What’s the first thing I noticed?” That’s virtual presence or telepresence at work!
Ancient Egypt in Palm of Your Hands (Louvre, Paris)
The Louvre’s online tours drop you straight into iconic spaces like Egyptian Antiquities.
Here’s what makes it feel like a world, not a slideshow:
Natural floorplan. You wander, not click next.
Objects live in context, surrounded by others.
Freedom to drift and linger.
When I tried it, I zoomed into a small falcon carving and lost track of time. I didn’t expect that detail to captivate me!
A Mountain City in the Clouds (Machu Picchu, Peru)
Through Google Arts & Culture and CyArk, you can walk across Machu Picchu’s terraces and stone corridors virtually!
Aerial scans blend with ground-level detail. You can sweep across the whole city or pause on a single wall. It’s a glimpse of heritage most of us will never see in person. The feeling is totally one of awe and intimacy.
Temples at Midnight (Angkor Wat, Cambodia & Borobudur, Indonesia)
Closer to home, Southeast Asia offers jaw-dropping digital journeys.
Angkor Wat: Walk through gateways, study relief panels up close, and imagine the crowds of centuries past.
Borobudur: Climb circular terraces, pause at carved panels, and circle the stupas like pilgrims once did.
Both are perfect examples of presence + freedom. When I visited Borobudur virtually, I circled the top platform three times without thinking. It felt natural, like the world invited me to.
Homegrown Wonder (Namjooning, Singapore)
End the night with something close to home. The Namjooning Virtual Tour at National Gallery Singapore layers BTS music over Southeast Asian art.
It’s accessible, gentle, and shows how Singapore is already experimenting with worlds that combine culture and technology.
Pairing tip: After exploring Machu Picchu or Angkor, drop into Namjooning and ask, “How does music change the way I see art?”
Here’s how you can use virtual worlds in different ways
For families: Louvre tour after dinner, kids pick one favourite artifact.
For teachers: Smithsonian fossil hall before a science class.
For friends: Angkor Wat as a Friday “virtual trip,” snacks optional.
What makes virtual worlds powerful
From our work, we know three things matter most:
Presence. You feel "inside" the experience, not "outside".
Freedom. You decide where to look and how long to stay.
Frictionless entry. No installs. Just a link!
Here's a quick itinerary that you can do tonight!
Smithsonian, view 1 hall and try to find 1 surprising fact.
Louvre, find 1 artifact to share with friends of family
Machu Picchu, find 1 view that you really like!
Angkor/Borobudur, find a carving that captures your attention.
Namjooning (SG) - what mood does the music add to your experience?
Quick FAQ
What is a virtual world?
A digital place you can step into. It can be 2D (Gather.Town), 360 (Google Earth, Matterport), or full 3D (Spatial.io, Unity).
Do I need special software?
No. Many of these run in your browser using WebGL technology!
Will this work on my phone?
Yes. Use a modern browser. For detail, switch to laptop or TV.
What about privacy if I sign up?
Good hosts explain why they collect data. In Singapore, this is covered by the PDPA Consent Obligation.
Why we share this
At The Doodle People, we build people-first virtual worlds. Some are 2D, some are 360, many are full 3D; but all are designed to load fast, feel alive, and invite people to belong!
If a global museum can pull you in from thousands of miles away, imagine what a custom-built world could do for your audience in Singapore.
The door’s open. Step through. Let’s build your world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Contact us with a question!
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