Silk Roads Beyond Borders exhibition opens in Macau

The Vanishing Mogao Caves concert is conducted by conductor-composer and UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador, Tan Dun

A multi-media exhibition tracing the rich history of the Silk Roads has opened in Macau.

Poly MGM Museum at MGM Macau is hosting Silk Roads Beyond Borders to mark the 12th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road initiative. 

The exhibition opened on October 1 and features more than 200 rare artefacts, illustrating the 1,000-year cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

Treasures include exhibits from the National Museum of Damascus in Syria and the Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum in Japan. Future additions are planned from Portugal, France and elsewhere. These international loans complement exhibits from nearly 20 leading domestic institutions in China, such as the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China.

Four themed ‘chapters’ explore the history and achievements of the route. ‘Through Sand and Wind’ chronicles the journeys of the ancient Silk Road pioneers and the role of trade and information exchange in the route’s formative years. ‘Gilded Threads’ highlights material culture, from silk weaving to ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, glassmaking and enameling. ‘The Golden Bough’ explores the spiritual integration of the Silk Road through imagery, sculpture and music. And ‘Road to the Future’ takes a look at how the Silk Road’s material and spiritual heritage enriches contemporary art and supports interconnected trade and cross-cultural understanding in today’s world.

Don’t miss the immersive night tours of the museum, using live performance to bring Silk Road stories to life. A major highlight of the exhibition is The Vanishing Mogao Caves concert focusing on Dunhuang civilisation and underscoring more than 80 years of dedication to preserving Dunhuang art. Ancient instruments have been reconstructed after years of research and are now used in the presentation. 

The 60-minute, The Vanishing Mogao Caves concert takes place at 6pm, October 6 and at 5pm, October 7; tickets are available online.