About the Exhibition
China Cultural Centre in Sydney is excited to present this online exhibition in collaboration with the Network of International Culturalink Entities and the Culture and Tourism Department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China to celebrate China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day which falls on 11 June 2022. This exhibition highlights the natural beauty of Xinjiang and showcases the breathtaking intangible cultural heritage of the ancient Silk Road.
There are many grottoes and cave art sites across Kucha, including Kizl Grottoes, Kumtula grottoes, Senmusem Grottoes, Kizgaha Grottoes, Mazaboha, and Tuohulak Aiken Grottoes. As a representative of the Kucha Grottoes, the Kizil Grottoes have more caves with early murals and statues than those of Bamiyan in Afghanistan. The early caves are at least a hundred years earlier than the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. These magnificent cave art sites still dot mountainsides and rock faces across Xinjiang, housing impressive sculptures and vivid murals thousands of years old. Not only are these sites evidence of their creators’ dedication to their faith, but also they offer a fascinating glimpse into the multicultural society that thrived for a thousand years along the once booming Silk Road trade route that connected East and West.
As part of the historical record of the ancient Silk Road, Kucha murals are known as “treasure of stories”. In the form of pictures, videos and paintings, this exhibition including four parts – “Desert Relics“, “Magnificent Landscape“, “Glory of Humanity“, and “Cultural Continuity” focuses on Kucha murals, showcases the interaction and integration of various cultures along the Silk Road and highlights the inclusiveness of Chinese traditional culture.
Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Extended Reading
Half of the Silk Road is in Xinjiang. It was a place where the ancient Western and Oriental cultures met. Many historical relics and items of rare cultural interest were left, such as passes, castles, pavilions, cave temples, post stations, tombs, and beacon towers. The ancient City of Qiuci, or Kucha, was an ancient Buddhist kingdom located on the branch of the Silk Road that ran along its northern edge.
“Xinjiang, What a Wonderful Place” is a popular folk song in China that describes the beauty of Xinjiang’s countryside and pastures, the fragrance of local fruits, the solidarity between ethnic groups and the rhythmic music and dance. This stunning place is increasingly attracting visitors for its extraordinary natural beauty in the north of Mount Tianshan, and the ancient cities’ fascinating Central Asian history and culture in the south of Mount Tianshan, including Kashgar, Weizhoutou, Tiemenguan and Loulan. In short, a visit to Xinjiang makes for an exploration of China’s past and its multicultural present, or simply a journey into some of the most sublime landscapes on earth. A series of images and videos is curated to showcase the charm of the ancient Silk Road.
