It looks like a life simulation computer game, but this new online community is more than just entertainment.

Netizens are able to construct their houses in a virtual ancient Chinese city with a royal aura, as the Palace Museum in Beijing, China’s former imperial palace, also known as the Forbidden City, combines its digital approaches for users.

The app, The Palace Museum Community, builds up a virtual city with traditional Chinese architecture as an online social network platform.

Users can win bonuses by completing missions on the network, therefore advancing their levels and refurnishing their manors. A major mission is to read, share and post articles about the museum and other contents on traditional culture.

According to Yu Zhuang, head of the new media team in the Palace Museum, the app also serves as a hub to connect nine apps and other digital platforms that were previously released by the museum. Activities such as exhibition information, tour guidance, digital display of collections in warehouses and academic research results are also mixed into the interactive game.

“For many people, the Palace Museum experience can be enhanced as they use our apps,” said Yu.

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“The Internet has provided us with more channels to expand museum influences to more corners in people’s everyday lives.”