Dunhuang Academy
@DunhuangAcademy
Dunhuang Academy is a comprehensive research institution responsible for managing the Mogao Caves - a World Heritage site - and five other noted Gansu grottoes.
Minor Heat (#xiaoshu, Chinese: 小暑) arrives tomorrow, signifying that the hottest period is approaching, although the peak of extreme heat is yet to arrive. In the vivid murals of Dunhuang, we can almost feel the rising heat of mid-summer creeping in, as ancient people found…
Major Heat (#Dashu, Chinese: 大暑), the 12th of the 24 Solar Terms, marks the peak of summer in China. Blistering heat and sudden downpours define this season, yet our ancestors found serenity amidst nature’s extremes. In the murals of #Dunhuang, we glimpse timeless…
Starting tomorrow, Major Heat (#Dashu, Chinese: 大暑) marks the onset of summer's peak intensity and scorching days. In the vibrant murals of #Dunhuang, we witness how our ancestors embraced the season — retreating to the mountains to seek refuge in nature’s quiet rhythm.…
🌟 Embark on an immersive journey to Mogao Cave 17! 🌟 🔍 Explore digitized sutras, historical documents, and artifacts from collections worldwide – all on a single platform (cave17.e-dunhuang.com )! Powered by cutting-edge digitization and AI, this global hub allows you to…
In Mogao Cave 285 (Western Wei Dynasty), elite Chinese women are depicted wearing Ru jackets with intricate hanging ribbons, paired with gracefully draped scarves. Their upper garments are complemented by multi-paneled skirts, reflecting their sophisticated and refined fashion…

Photoshop magic? Nope — just #Dunhuang’s Mingsha (Singing Sand) Mountain crooning under the sun, and the oasis of Yueyaquan (Crescent Lake) glowing like a sapphire. Nature’s own masterpiece! 🏜️🌊💎 #DunhuangScenery @This_is_Gansu @ExploreGansu @discover_gansu @HiDunhuang




🎣 Ever wondered how ancient Chinese fishermen dressed? The mural in Mogao Cave 296 from the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581) vividly captures a fisherman at work — shirtless and wearing a dubiku (traditional waist-wrap) — skillfully casting his net into the water. The scene…

Minor Heat (#xiaoshu, Chinese: 小暑), the 11th of the 24 Solar Terms, marks the arrival of mid-summer. Through #Dunhuang's murals, we catch a glimpse of how ancient people coped with the heat. Whether they were sharing moonlit tea, enjoying delicacies and dance performances after…
Curious about ancient Chinese royal attire? In Cave 290 of the #MogaoCaves (Northern Zhou Dynasty), a king is depicted wearing a Hehuan crown (Chinese: 合欢帽) with a trailing braid at the back of the head, a distinctive Xianbei cultural symbol. His attire include a robe with…

Step into Cave 249 (Western Wei Dynasty) and meet the White Tiger (Chinese: 白虎) — one of China's four mythological creatures, and the sacred guardian of the west! With jaws open and wings flared, it charges through the skies, radiating strength and protection. #DunhuangMuralArt…

🏛️ Experience the captivating “From Dunhuang to Dazu” exhibition at the #Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum. Showcasing over 200 rare artifacts, including two national treasures, this exhibition unveils the evolution of Chinese grotto art through relics, cave replicas, and…




Celebrate the Olympic spirit on this #OlympicDay (June 23)! Check out #Dunhuang’s Cave 249, where celestial beings soar with grace. This Olympic Day, channel that spirit! Come try running, dancing, or striking a mural-inspired “flight” pose! Share your active moment! Let’s…

Summer Solstice (#xiazhi, Chinese: 夏至) arrives with the peak of light. In ancient Dunhuang, this was a time when the sun scorched the sands, yet hearts burned with hope. The murals echo a love for life that only grows stronger through the summer’s blaze. Watch our video and…
Summer Solstice (#xiazhi, Chinese: 夏至) arrives tomorrow! In the murals of #Dunhuang, we can almost sense the shift - where daylight reaches its crescendo and shadows begin to stretch. The summer solstice marks the longest daylight hours of the year in the northern hemisphere, a…
Step into Cave 285 (Western Wei Dynasty) and meet the Vermilion Bird (Chinese: 朱雀) - one of China’s four mythological creatures, and the sacred guardian of the south! Crowned with a vibrant blue crest and adorned with resplendent feathers, it soars freely across the heavens,…

Now you can virtually visit Mogao Cave 285! #DigitalDunhuang #DunhuangConservation
Happy International Day of Play (June 11)! Centuries ago, in #Dunhuang’s Mogao Cave 217, kids played human pyramids, their laughter echoing as they stacked joy (see the mural!). Today, play remains a powerful force – for joy, learning, and resilience. How will you choose to play…

Exciting News! ✨The Digital Library Cave database platform has officially been launched, offering unprecedented access to #Dunhuang's cultural treasures. This comprehensive resource integrates over 9,900 digitized sutras and historical documents, along with 60,700 artifacts…

On #WorldOceansDay, let’s ponder the awe that fuels us. In a Tang Dynasty mural at #Dunhuang’s Cave 85, a solitary woman contemplates the vast ocean. Her stillness speaks to something eternal: awe, humility, and a deep connection to nature. What does the ocean mean to…

🌾Grain in Ear (#mangzhong, Chinese: 芒种) arrives with the hum of growing crops and the warmth of rising sun. In ancient #Dunhuang, it marked an era of tireless farming—where hands sowed rice under the scorching sun and hearts hoped for a golden harvest. That spirit of hard work…