A stage photo from Ancient Sound of Dunhuang. [Photo/China Tourism News]

The immersive indoor drama Ancient Sound of Dunhuang offers audiences a vivid journey into the region's iconic mural art.

Launched in 2023 after years of development, the performance transforms static images from the Mogao Caves into dynamic scenes. Its cave-style theater design helps to transports visitors, with replicas of grottoes and murals giving it a historical feel.

Drawing inspiration directly from Dunhuang murals, the creative team digitally reconstructed figures like flying apsaras and celestial musicians, making them move and play music as if alive.

The show follows a musician's spiritual journey using a blend of ancient melodies and modern electronic elements. Advanced 3D projection maps deserts and ancient marketplaces onto the stage, enhancing the sensory experience.

The production is the centerpiece of a larger cultural tourism complex. A recreated ancient bazaar allows visitors to sample Silk Road cuisine and observe traditional crafts. An educational center also offers courses on Dunhuang dance and art.

The show has been staged over 2,600 times and attracted more than 910,000 viewers. It represents one of several theatrical productions in Dunhuang that provide visitors with a deep, vivid way to engage with the region's timeless culture without having to visit the caves themselves.

The project also fosters cultural inheritance and global dialogue. It has launched international touring performances and released a digital album of reimagined ancient Dunhuang music, allowing the timeless art to resonate with audiences worldwide in new, accessible forms.