The Year Exhibition for Inaugural Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo Cultural commenced in Dunhuang, Gansu province on Sept 10, 2016, offering a month-long showcase of cultural treasures from around the globe.

Spanning 36,000 square meters, the exhibition is organized into four main sections: the China Pavilion, the International Pavilion, the Gansu Pavilion, and the Thematic Pavilion. Together, these areas present over 8,000 artifacts contributed by 61 countries.

A highlight of the expo is the colossal Chinese painting scroll Ten Thousand Miles along the Yellow River. Measuring 220 meters in length and 1.85 meters in height, the scroll was designed by Liu Dawei, then chairman of the China Artists Association, and collaboratively crafted by 35 renowned Chinese artists a dozen years ago. This breathtaking work captures the natural beauty and profound cultural significance of the Yellow River.

The China Pavilion features contributions from 15 Silk Road provinces and top national art institutions. Key exhibits include a hand-painted Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) map of the Silk Road, stunning porcelain works from Dunhuang, rare postal archives from across the Maritime Silk Road, and masterpieces of modern and contemporary Chinese painting and calligraphy.

In the International Pavilion, noteworthy items include those from France, which was honored as the expo's guest of honor, alongside oil paintings and artistic masterpieces from other Silk Road nations. Collaborative contemporary art exhibitions between China and Egypt, as well as China and Italy, further enrich the global narrative.

The Gansu Pavilion focuses on the province's pivotal role in Chinese history. Through detailed texts, vivid imagery, videos, and physical artifacts, the pavilion explores nine core aspects of Gansu's cultural heritage, including world heritage sites, prehistoric culture, cave art, and revolutionary history.

The Thematic Pavilion, the largest section of the expo, spans 20,000 square meters and features exhibits from nearly 100 cultural and artistic institutions. With 18 thematic exhibitions, it offers an impressive array of cultural and artistic achievements.

The Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo underscores Dunhuang's historic role as a cultural and economic nexus along the ancient trade route. By assembling artifacts, art, and ideas from around the world, the event fosters meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and innovation.