A stage photo from Ancient Sound of Dunhuang. [Photo/Lanzhou Daily]

Nestled in the vast Gobi Desert, Dunhuang has stood for millennia as a glittering pearl on the Silk Road. Now, the immersive indoor drama Ancient Sound of Dunhuang, produced by Gansu Performing Arts Group, brings this history to life.

The drama is based on the story of Sujiva, an ancient Kuchean musician, who integrated central plains melodies with Western Region music, laying the foundation for classical Chinese music theory. Through Sujiva's journey, the show embodies the Silk Road's spirit of openness and integration.

Audiences are immersed in a cave-like setting by the 360-degree stage design, surrounded by projections and live performers ranging from flying apsaras to musicians. This experience evokes a profound sense of cultural belonging that connects with history and heritage.

The show draws inspiration from the musical and dance imagery in Dunhuang's murals, particularly from caves such as Mogao Caves 220 and 112.

Collaborating with the Dunhuang Academy, the creative team restored ancient instruments, recreating their sounds through digital modeling and acoustic analysis.

Using holographic projection, mechanical devices, and immersive sound, the performance transforms static murals into flying apsaras that dance gracefully around the audience.

Having evolved from its mobile version in 2019, it is now a 70-minute major cultural highlight in Gansu tourism.