The 7th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo in Gansu province has featured a display of over a thousand creative cultural heritage items, boosting the influence and reach of the province's cultural brand.

Hou Yanghong, a representative inheritor of the ancient technique, recreates Dunhuang murals on clay boards. [Photo provided to silkroadexpo.gogansu.com]

In the Dunhuang Stone Powder Painting section, a stunning array of colorful rock pigments is on display.

Hou Yanghong, a representative inheritor of the ancient technique, is seen meticulously recreating a beautiful Dunhuang mural on a clay board: "Dunhuang stone powder painting uses pigments primarily derived from the natural minerals found on Sanwei Mountain, located across from the Mogao Caves," says Hou.

"The colors in these paintings have remained vibrant and unchanged for over a thousand years."

A series of dough sculptures recreate a scene of the mural from Cave 25 of the Yulin Grottoes. [Photo provided to silkroadexpo.gogansu.com]

In the Kongtong Dough Sculpture section, a series of sculptures featuring the mural from Cave 25 of the Yulin Grottoes brought the traditional flat mural imagery to three-dimensional life.

Visitors marveled at the intricate details of the artworks: "It's so lifelike!" exclaimed one onlooker.

Another added, "It's incredible to think this was crafted from dough!"

Visitors browse toys designed by the Gansu Provincial Museum. [Photo provided to silkroadexpo.gogansu.com]

The plush toy area also attracteda large crowd. Products developed by the Gansu Provincial Museum, which are inspired by the museum's artifacts and Gansu's local specialties, has become popular among visitors.

"They are not only adorable but also carry meaningful symbolism. I bought several as gifts for friends," said tourist Tao Ying.

This cultural exchange event served as a window into the intangible cultural heritage of Gansu, bringing these cherished traditions into people's everyday lives and onto the broader global stage.