Dunhuang, known as the ‘throat’ of the ancient Silk Road, has been a hub for the extensive exchange and integration of Eastern and Western cultures, as well as various ethnic cultures, for thousands of years, thus forming the characteristic of Dunhuang’s multiculturalism. The Dunhuang Research Institute, in collaboration with the National Base for International Cultural Trade (Beijing), has jointly organized the ‘Digital Dunhuang – Dunhuang on the Silk Road’ exhibition. This event aims to create a high-level ‘bringing in’ and ‘going out’ to allow visitors to deeply appreciate the great integrative power, creativity, and vitality of the Chinese nation.
The exhibition features multiple units, including the ‘Six Great Grottoes,’ ‘Replicated Grottoes,’ ‘Large-Format Replicated Murals,’ ‘Sculptures,’ ‘Flying Music and Dance,’ ‘Eternal Architectural Space,’ ‘Secular Scenery,’ and ‘Multifunctional Hall,’ showcasing nearly 50 pieces (sets) of digitalization achievements from the Dunhuang Research Institute’s Cultural Relics Digitalization Institute. The exhibits include six replicated painted sculptures, including a nirvana statue in Cave 158 that is over five meters in scale, more than 25 high-fidelity digital mural replicas, five replicated musical instruments, and over ten auxiliary exhibits. Additionally, two replicated caves from the Mogao Grottoes, Cave 3 and Cave 285 (both of which are no longer open to the public), are displayed. These two cave models are scaled replicas, accurately recreating the actual caves. The exhibition also includes representative murals and painted sculptures from the Mogao Grottoes, such as the ‘Zhang Qian’s Mission to the Western Regions,’ ‘Wutai Mountain,’ ‘Nine-Colored Deer,’ ‘Rebound Pipa,’ and the nirvana statue in Cave 158. The exhibition’s research and study section has a dedicated classroom for watching digital films and engaging in mural tracing, offering a rich array of research and study courses. The digital experience section transforms the content of the Mogao Grottoes into panoramic virtual tours, allowing visitors to experience the cave structure in 360 degrees with wearable devices, deeply appreciating the beauty of Buddhist art. The cultural and creative section displays cultural derivatives featuring the characteristics of Dunhuang art, including books and albums. The exhibition is open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:30-17:00. Concessions are offered to the elderly: half price for those aged 65 and above with ID, and students: half price for students over 1.4 meters in height, including primary, middle school, and university students with a student ID.
