The China Story
at your Fingertips
OPEN
Dunhuang, Gansu province, was once a hub where Eastern and Western civilizations met on the ancient Silk Road — with the Mogao Grottoes as a living witness, boasting vibrant murals and sculptures.
In response to the recent wave of Western fascination with Chinese culture, Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy, noted that instead of focusing on external opinions, the key lies in doing their work well — protecting and studying the Mogao Grottoes, and sharing Dunhuang's authentic culture with the world. He emphasized that this mission aligns with the global commitment to heritage preservation and cultural exchange.
As it sits at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road routes, Dunhuang is "so lucky" to have the chance to witness and embrace various cultures, said Burak Deste, secretary-general of the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, Turkiye.
A century ago, many Dunhuang relics were lost overseas. Some claim this "loss" was "another form of protection". In response, Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy, said in an interview that since history cannot be changed, today's important mission is to deeply study and organize these remarkable cultural treasures and "promote the value of them so that more people around the world can understand them".
