The 2nd Dunhuang Cultural Expo officially opened in Dunhuang on September 20, 2017. This edition of the Expo was a vibrant and multifaceted event — not only a grand festival and exhibition, but also a uniquely styled tourism product. It can truly be described as a Silk Road cultural extravaganza made exclusively for travelers.
Dunhuang in golden September is naturally full of charm. Whether it’s the Singing Sand Mountains, known for their “echoing sands on sunny dunes,” the Crescent Lake, with its “moonlit spring untouched by dust,” or the poetic Dunhuang Yardang landform, all become even more enchanting during the crisp autumn season.
The Dunhuang Cultural Expo kicked off against this picturesque backdrop. It is currently the only high-end cultural exhibition platform approved by the Chinese government that focuses on international cultural exchange along the Belt and Road. The Expo’s Cultural Year Exhibition was held in Hall B of the Dunhuang International Convention and Exhibition Center, featuring four major thematic display sections: “Silk Road Impressions · Fine Arts from China and Abroad,” “Silk Road Impressions · Cultural Treasures from China and Abroad,” “Creative Silk Road · Creative Design Masterpieces from China and Abroad,” and “Travels Along the Silk Road · A Collection of Travel Products from China and Abroad.” It showcased thousands of cultural masterpieces, allowing visitors from around the world to fully experience the essence of Silk Road culture.
Meanwhile, the “Travels Along the Silk Road · Premium Tourism Products Exhibition,” hosted by the Gansu Provincial Tourism Development Commission, further highlighted Gansu’s rich and diverse tourism resources and products. Many exquisite travel souvenirs were available on-site, perfect for collection and commemoration.
During the Expo, many rarely seen classic song and dance performances were also staged in succession. The “Silk Road Rain of Flowers,” created in 1979 and inspired by the world-famous Dunhuang murals and the Silk Road, was praised by the media as “living Dunhuang murals and a beautiful artistic experience” — “a dance that belongs in heaven, rarely seen on earth.” On the evenings of the 18th and 19th, two performances of the dance drama “Silk Road Rain of Flowers” will be held at the Dunhuang Grand Theatre; on the evening of the 21st, the Sino-foreign joint cultural gala “Meeting in Dunhuang · 2017” will take place at the Dunhuang Grand Theatre.
On the evening of the 25th, the closing highlight of the Expo, “The Dream of Dunhuang,” will be performed at the Dunhuang Grand Theatre. The show is known as the “Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet.” Set against the ancient backdrop of Dunhuang, it showcases the profound art of grottoes, the rich Buddhist culture, trade along the ancient Silk Road, and the local customs of northwest China, bringing to life the vibrant street scenes of Dunhuang from over a thousand years ago. Additionally, other spectacular performances such as the large-scale live-action show “See Dunhuang Again” and “Dunhuang Grand Ceremony” will also be staged in rotation. International performances including the American band “Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road” concert “Silk Road Musical Echoes” and the Armenian National Ballet Theatre “Armenian Wind” will also be presented during the same period. Visitors can purchase tickets through channels such as the Gansu Performing Arts website, Ctrip, Weipiaoer, and Qunar.
Centered around the theme of “Strengthening Strategic Alignment and Deepening Practical Cooperation,” the Expo successively launched six major themed activities: cultural forums, cultural year exhibitions, cultural performances, cultural trade, cultural creativity, and cultural tourism. These offerings allowed visitors from around the world to not only enjoy Dunhuang’s breathtaking scenery but also deeply appreciate the charm of Silk Road culture.
For more highlights and related information, please visit the official flagship store of the Gansu Provincial Tourism Development Commission on Qunar. Link: http://zt.dujia.qunar.com/bd/home.php?id=882.