Exquisite performances enchant the audience during the Flying Apsaras musical concert. [Photo/Gansu Performance Group]

The Flying Apsaras musical concert dazzled audiences on Sept 5, 2023 at the Dunhuang Grand Theater, marking the grand opening of the 6th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo.

The 2023 concert blended traditional Chinese instruments, multimedia projections and theatrical storytelling inspired by Dunhuang's murals.

Zhao Cong's pipa solo, the Silk Road Flying Apsaras, opened that evening — guiding the audience into a dreamscape of the ancient Mogao Caves. Dances like the Flying Apsaras Rainbow recreated the elegance of the mural art with flowing silk techniques.

Visually rich and emotionally resonant, the concert bridged ancient artistry with modern stagecraft.

As the Belt and Road Initiative celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, this performance stood as a luminous testament to China's cultural storytelling — renewing Dunhuang's legacy for a global audience.