A Dunhuang-themed exhibition at the third Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, Gansu province. [Photo/WeChat account: srdice]

The third Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo was held in 2018 in Dunhuang, Gansu province. The event focused on showcasing Silk Road culture, promoting cultural exchange, and building a more harmonious and beautiful world.

More than 1,200 cultural scholars, artists, government officials, and representatives from 97 countries, regions and international organizations attended. In this historic city perched on the edge of the Gobi Desert, they explored new paths and models for cultural exchange and contributed their wisdom and experience to the prosperity of global cultural undertakings.

The expo featured 14 conferences and forums, attracting more than 1,500 guests. Topics covered cultural creativity, intellectual property, think-tank building, cultural relic technology, desertification control and ecological restoration, sinology, cultural tourism, international agricultural cooperation, and big data.

It also hosted 32 thematic exhibitions with 58 leading domestic and international institutions and companies and over 7,000 exhibits, spanning cultural relics, art, creative design, cultural derivatives, and digital innovation.

Meanwhile, 19 performances attracted more than 30,000 viewers. 3D printing, virtual reality, augmented reality, and smart interactive installations allowed visitors to explore Dunhuang murals, ancient civilizations, and traditional crafts, giving ancient cultural heritage fresh vitality and adding momentum to global cultural exchange and cooperation.