Located in Dunhuang, China, the Mogao Cave are one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of Buddhist cave art. Dating back to the 4th century AD, the site includes 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and over 2,000 polychrome sculptures, showcasing centuries of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. In 1900, the discovery of the hidden Library Cave revealed a vast collection of over 60,000 manuscripts, scriptures, and silk paintings, dating from the 4th to the 11th century. These invaluable documents, written in multiple languages, provide crucial insights into the history, religion, and cultures of China and Silk Road civilizations. In 1987, the Mogao Cave were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Aligned with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, the Digital Dunhuang project uses advanced technologies like high-precision scanning, LiDAR, and 4K rendering to digitally preserve the Library Cave and its manuscripts, ensuring long-term conservation. Big data and AI help detect mural damage, improving restoration accuracy. Additionally, the project creates a globally accessible cultural heritage database via cloud computing, enabling sustainable resource sharing and fostering innovation in preservation and global access to cultural resources.
The Mogao Caves are located on cliffs near Dunhuang in Gansu Province, China. They form one of the largest collections of Buddhist art on the Silk Road, with 492 preserved grottoes containing over 2,000 painted sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals. The site documents the development of Buddhist art and culture from the 4th to the 14th century, reflecting political, religious, and cultural changes across different dynasties. It also provides evidence of long-distance trade and cultural exchange, particularly through the Silk Road. The Mogao Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for their artistic innovation, religious significance, and historical value. Preservation is led by the Dunhuang Academy through digital projects such as high-resolution mural scanning, 3D modelling, virtual tours, and the Digital Dunhuang platform, which improves public access and educational outreach. These digital efforts support global awareness and help preserve the site for future generations. The Mogao Caves contribute to sustainable development by supporting quality education and promoting inclusive cultural and economic growth.
This image shows a mural exhibit from the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, on display at the National Art Museum of China. The original mural is part of a vast collection of Buddhist wall paintings created between the 4th and 14th centuries, located in grottoes carved into the cliffs along the ancient Silk Road. These artworks reflect the spiritual and artistic exchanges between Chinese, Central Asian, and Indian cultures. The mural shown here is a replica or display version, curated for public exhibition and educational outreach. As such, it is categorized as “Movable Cultural Heritage”, whereas the original site of the Mogao Caves constitutes “Immovable Cultural Heritage”. This distinction is crucial in heritage documentation and digital preservation. The image was uploaded as part of a cultural heritage mapping project for academic and non-commercial use.
This mural is a replica exhibit based on the original Buddhist wall paintings found in the Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, located near Dunhuang, China. The original murals were created between the 4th and 14th centuries, featuring rich iconography of Buddhist narratives, devotional figures, and multicultural artistic influences from the Silk Road. This replica was produced for educational and exhibition purposes to promote awareness of Dunhuang’s cultural significance. While the physical replica is movable, the original artworks are considered immovable cultural heritage and are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Generations of Buddhist monks and artisans along the Silk Road