Chongqing—On June 18, the much-anticipated annual exhibition, From Dunhuang to Dazu: The Development of Grotto Art in China, officially opened at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum. This exhibition, the first of its kind to jointly present the world-renowned cultural heritages of Dunhuang and Dazu, is curated by the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, the Dunhuang Academy, and the Dazu Rock Carvings Academy, along with nine other esteemed institutions.

The exhibition features over 200 remarkable artifacts, including two national treasures, 15 first-class cultural relics, 10 second-class cultural relics, and eight third-class cultural relics. It also features six replicated grottoes, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore these iconic heritage sites in a new and innovative way.

As the first joint exhibition of the Dunhuang and Dazu Rock Carvings, this event offers an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional displays. Using cutting-edge digital technology, the exhibition creates multiple dialogue scenarios, allowing visitors to engage with the artistic resonance of these two heritages across time and space. Modern exhibition techniques have been employed to offer an innovative interpretation of the history and sinicization of grotto art, providing a fresh perspective on its cultural evolution in China.

The Dunhuang Mogao Caves and the Dazu Rock Carvings are two of the earliest caves in China to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. They represent the peak and final phase of grotto temple art development in China, highlighting the cultural significance of these sites. Located at opposite ends of the country, one to the north and one to the south, these two heritage sites trace the clear trajectory of how grotto temple art spread from the Western Regions to the Central Plains.