Blog Entry VII - The Dunhuang Exchange

A prefecture and place of military importance, Dunhuang was a major point of cultural exchange during the Han and Tang dynasties. Dunhuang was accessible from both east and west on the Silk Road, and thus made it a primary stopover for pilgrims, merchants, and monks who were passing through the region. The variety of art and artifacts found at Dunhuang attests to the diversity of the people who made their way along the Silk Road at various times, from various places.

Buddhist masters and monks alike, from India and Central Asia, often stopped at Dunhuang while travelling to the Chinese capital of Chang'an. The abundance of painted caves and illuminated manuscripts made it an ideal place for Buddhists to meditate, read, or learn about Chinese culture before entering the capital. It was a Buddhist epicentre that provided temples, gardens, and lecture halls for anyone who desired to utilize them, and as such, Dunhuang was a thriving monastic community.

Frescoe from one of the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang. Preservation of these frescoes is of utmost priority, with visitors from all around the world who come to Dunhuang to view them.