Expo provides platform for Dunhuang culture

The much-anticipated five-day China International Cultural Industries Fair kicked off in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on June 7. Gansu's pavilion, with the theme of Silk Road culture, is ready to welcome Chinese culture lovers from across the world.

During the event, more than 3,000 exhibits across 130 categories, including cultural and creative products, books and periodicals, and exquisite intangible cultural heritage, were selected to present Gansu's rich cultural resources and cultural industry development advantages in a panoramic manner.

Gansu is the hometown of flying apsaras images. The Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the province’s Dunhuang city, has witnessed the exchange of civilizations between the East and the West.

Among the Mogao grottoes murals, one of the most familiar to the public is the "Deer King Jataka" in Cave 257. Gansu pavilion has chosen the green in this mural as the main color of the design, and has adopted the algae well shape of the cave as its top, presenting a paradigm of Dunhuang elements.

On a stage at the entrance, actors performed the classic Chinese dance drama Flower Rains Along the Silk Road, captivating a host of visitors.

In the interactive experience area, simulation technology helps visualize the fall-off effect of 10 classic murals, and people have the chance to recolor the line drafts in a VR immersive experience.

There are also restored exhibits, such as the phoenix-headed curved Qin, the upright Konghou, the flower-shaped Ruan, and the flat-bottomed five-stringed Pipa, bringing the ancient musical instruments of Dunhuang to life.