<p>This study looks into how virtual reality (VR) has been growing around the world in helping to preserve cultural heritage, especially between 2018 and 2023. The main focus was on how VR is being used to digitally bring back cultural landscapes that have been lost. By going through detailed data on 28 VR reconstruction projects and 60 cultural sites that were recreated, we were able to spot some key patterns like how the projects were funded, how they’ve developed over time, and how the public is interacting with them. One thing that stood out was the fast growth of these VR heritage projects. A big chunk focused on ancient cities (about 40%) and sacred places (around 30%). Most of the money for these came from government funding, which made up more than half (55%). The Asia–Pacific region was out in front, leading with 20 projects. Another important point is how public interest has grown. Back in 2018, only around 1000 people were checking out these reconstructions. By 2023, that number had jumped to about 25,000. That shows there’s rising interest in how VR can be used to experience and protect historical places that might otherwise be lost forever whether from natural disasters, war, or fast-paced urban changes. This research helps expand our understanding of digital preservation and also gives some practical suggestions on how VR could be used to protect cultural heritage that’s at risk of disappearing for good.</p>