This study focuses on the significant challenges China's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) faces in global dissemination, such as limited accessibility, passive reception, and cultural barriers, by empirically investigating the efficacy of a generative AI-enhanced Virtual Reality (VR) experience titled "Yunyue Shanhai · Zhihui Dongfang" in fostering interest and understanding among foreign university students. Employing a quasi-experimental design with 50 international students from five universities, the research utilized a VR system featuring multi-modal interaction, virtual inheritor dialogues, and real-time English translation to bridge linguistic gaps, measuring outcomes through pre- and post-experience surveys on interest levels, knowledge acquisition, and cross-cultural communication willingness. The study is grounded in the concept of "embodied cognition," which posits that learning is enhanced when users physically interact with virtual environments rather than passively observe them [1]. Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in participants' interest, with mean scores rising from a baseline of approximately 3.57 to 4.53 (p<0.05), while 64% of participants reported increase in accurately named ICH items, 78% expressed willingness to engage in offline activities, and 86% indicated they would recommend the experience; qualitative feedback further identified immersion, interactivity, and cultural adaptability as key engagement drivers. This approach aligns with the broader trend of "blending AI and tradition to bridge cultures," as identified in recent reports on cultural preservation [2]. These findings demonstrate that integrating VR technology with generative AI effectively transforms passive observation into active, embodied participation, providing robust empirical support for utilizing immersive digital technologies as vital tools for the global revitalization and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.