Silk Road comes alive as Dunhuang-themed festivities light up Putuo streets

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Visitors "tour" the Mogao Caves wearing virtual reality glasses.

Putuo District is hosting Dunhuang-themed cultural events around streets named after Silk Road landmarks such as Dunhuang, Qilian Mountain, Yumen, Jingtai, and Wuwei.

The events were held at Taopu Smart City, a redevelopment project that has transformed a former industrial zone into a magnet for research, culture, and green space. It includes two highlights: a mini-exhibition of Dunhuang art and history, as well as an extended reality (XR) experience that combines digital technology with cultural heritage.

The word "XR" refers to both virtual and augmented reality, which allows visitors to interact with computer-generated settings as if they were physically there.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Putuo's XR experience recreates the Mogao Caves.

The exhibition, sponsored by the Dunhuang Academy and curated by the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, depicts daily life and artistic traditions of the Mogao Caves.

Visitors can view replicas of cave murals, learn about pigments, and discover how digital techniques are used to preserve artworks.

The exhibition also features "The Awakening of Dunhuang: The Divine Beasts are on the Move," an immersive experience that brings fabled figures from the murals to life, including the nine-colored deer and celestial bird.

The organizers said that their goal is to make Dunhuang culture more accessible to the general public, particularly young people.

The complete XR production has been opened at a separate venue on Dunhuang Road in the smart city. Participants go through 14 simulated cave scenarios in a 300-square-meter digital environment while wearing headphones.

They may trace mural outlines, identify mineral hues, and uncover four legendary animals with the help of a shining bird.

It also has a photo zone with large cave art backdrops, free cultural stamps, and a study space showcasing digital innovation projects. The sessions are limited to a maximum of 20 persons.