On September 21 at 3:00 P.M., the National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan will open the international exhibition "The Millennium Silk Road – Dunhuang: A Heritage of Humanity", a project of the Dunhuang Academy, Gansu Province of People’s Republic of China.
The project "The Millennium Silk Road – Dunhuang: A Heritage of Humanity" is closely aligned with the objectives of the state programmes "Digitalisation of Culture" and "Enhancing China’s Capacity for International Communication". The project aims to present to the international community, from a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective, the rich heritage and unique appeal of China’s outstanding traditional culture as represented by Dunhuang culture, while contributing to its greater global recognition and appeal.
The Dunhuang Academy, the People’s Government of Dunhuang City, and Gansu Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd., organise this exhibition with the support of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Gansu Provincial Committee, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Gansu Province, the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Almaty.
Dunhuang is a legendary oasis city in Gansu Province in northwestern China. Since ancient times, it has served as a gateway to China and a key hub along the ancient Silk Road, witnessing the convergence and interaction of numerous civilisations. Today, it is one of China’s major historical and cultural tourism destinations. Among Dunhuang’s most prominent attractions are the Mogao caves, a world-renowned cave complex with a history spanning more than a thousand years of Buddhist art. The caves were created between the 4-14th centuries CE and comprise 735 caves of Mogao, containing approximately 45,000 square meters of wall paintings and more than 2,000 painted sculptures. Researchers also discovered more than 70,000 documents and works of art in the Manuscript cave. Thanks to its remarkable cultural heritage and unique historical significance, Dunhuang has become a shining pearl of the Silk Road.
The exhibition features photographic materials showcasing the historical and cultural heritage of Dunhuang. It draws primarily on the research findings of the Dunhuang Academy in the field of Dunhuang studies, as well as digital resources related to cultural heritage. The exhibition systematically explores and presents the historical traces of the Silk Road as an "artery of civilisation", highlighting its role in the development of trade and cultural exchange.
The exhibition comprises four main sections: thematic reconstructions of the monuments and cultural relics of the Dunhuang caves, interactive digital immersive programmes, multimedia presentations, and interactive creative projects.
In terms of content, the exhibition encompasses several thematic areas covering a wide range of topics, including sculptures, depictions of flying apsaras in wall paintings, figures of patrons from ancient Chinese dynasties, architecture, folk customs, and decorative motifs. Through high-quality reproductions of the wall paintings, the exhibition accurately conveys the present state of the cultural relics and the historical features of this cultural heritage site. It provides visitors with an immersive viewing experience, allowing them to appreciate firsthand the unique artistic charm and rich cultural heritage of the cave art of Gansu.
The exhibition focuses on important cultural heritage sites such as Yangguan Pass and Yumen Pass, as well as digital representations of the cave complexes, including the Caves of Mogao, Maijishan, Bingling Temple, Beishiku, Yulin, Xiqianfodong, and other cultural heritage sites. These materials provide a deeper understanding of the artistic significance and cultural value of the cave sites of Gansu Province. Particular attention is given to advances in digital and intelligent technologies and to the innovative presentation and revitalisation of cultural heritage.
The exhibition programme includes welcome remarks by representatives of the organising institutions; an academic lecture by Ding Xiaosheng, a specialist in Dunhuang studies and Deputy Director of the Research Institute for the Digitisation of Cultural Relics at the Dunhuang Academy, a performance by the Gansu Performing Arts Group, guided tours and educational programmes on Dunhuang culture, and a presentation on the historic and cultural city of Dunhuang.
The exhibition will run until October 7, 2026.
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