​Experience Dunhuang aesthetics in free exhibition

Visitors enter the "Dunhuang Aesthetics and Its Connection to the World" exhibition at Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning. Photos by Cao Zhen

If you are not planning a trip to Northwest China’s Gansu Province recently to admire the magnificent Mogao Grottoes (or Mogao Caves) and their murals, be sure to check out a free exhibition in Shenzhen. Here you will see stunning mural replicas and immerse yourself in reproduced caves.

The newly opened “Dunhuang Aesthetics and Its Connection to the World” exhibition features more than 40 replicas of Dunhuang murals produced using digital technology, along with reproduced caves and colored clay sculptures. 

The exhibition is filled with enthusiastic visitors.

A visitor takes photos at the exhibition. The large painting beside her depicts an array of statues in Mogao Cave 45. 

The Dunhuang murals, dating back to the 4th century, are celebrated for their exquisite craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and intricate details, reflecting various artistic styles influenced by diverse cultures. These murals depict a wide range of subjects, including religious figures and everyday life, showcasing the blend of cultural influences along the Silk Road.

While visitors at the Mogao Grottoes may not allowed to observe the murals closely, the Shenzhen exhibition provides a unique opportunity for visitors to examine the details up close. Each mural painting is accompanied by descriptions in both Chinese and English, enabling visitors to understand of the rich stories portrayed in these sophisticated murals.

Visitors admire murals at the exhibition.

The reproduced Cave 285 at the exhibition. Photo courtesy of the exhibition organizers

The exhibition is hosted by Dunhuang Academy and China Dunhuang Grottoes Conservation Research Foundation, and organized by Dunhuang • Chinese Succession Special Purposed Fund and Jingwan Cultural Industry (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.

One interesting exhibit at the exhibition features four protrude objects, each painted with a cave's murals. When you take a photo of the object in front, you will get a picture of a three-dimensional concave cave due to optical illusion.

A visitor takes photos of a protrude object painted with murals.

A reproduced mural painting depicts the Four Apsaras in Mogao Cave 428.

The Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, hold the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated along the ancient Silk Road, where Chinese civilization intersected with world civilizations, Dunhuang served not only as a vital hub for trade but also as a melting pot of Eastern and Western influences. The artifacts in the Mogao Grottoes reflect the cultural exchanges among various ethnic groups from the 4th to the 14th centuries.

Modern digital technology plays a crucial role in preserving these cultural treasures. Through Dunhuang Academy’s “Digital Dunhuang” project, visitors around the world can enjoy high-definition mural images and manuscripts, access the ancient caves virtually, and immerse themselves in reproduced caves. 

A waist-shaped pipa (R) and a curved-neck pipa.

"Dream of the Silk Road," a modern artwork created by Huahua. 

Dates: Through Nov. 22

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

Tickets: Free (no reservations)

Venue: Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Futian District (深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children's Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit A2

A poster of the exhibition.