必看！去莫高窟前必须了解的敦煌文化！
The Dunhuang culture is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a product of the fusion of various cultures including Buddhist culture, mural art, colored sculpture art, and historical culture. The name Dunhuang means "great" and "magnificent," symbolizing its grand and glorious cultural legacy.
'
'
💯Here are the essential things to know about Dunhuang culture before visiting the Mogao Caves:
1. Buddhist Culture: The Mogao Caves is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist art sites in the world. Understanding the basic knowledge of Buddhist art, such as Buddha statue drawing and Buddhist scripture stories, can better appreciate the art treasures of the Mogao Caves.
2. Mural Art: The Mogao Caves murals are rich in content, including Buddhist stories, historical events, and social life. Understanding the themes and content of the murals can provide a deeper understanding of the social style and cultural characteristics of the time.
3. Colored Sculpture Art: The colored sculpture in the Mogao Caves is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese sculpture art. Understanding the production process and artistic features of the colored sculpture can better appreciate these art treasures.
4. Historical Culture: Dunhuang is an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. The murals and sculptures in the Mogao Caves blend a variety of elements of Central Plains culture, Western Regions culture, and Central Asian culture, showcasing the prosperity of cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
'
'
💯The Mogao Caves murals attract countless people's attention with their rich color and unique techniques.
The colors of the murals are mainly mineral pigments, still as bright as new after thousands of years of sedimentation.
Regarding techniques, the Mogao Caves murals employ various painting techniques, such as flat painting, shading, and blending. Among them, shading is one of the most distinctive techniques. It creates a sense of three-dimensionality and hierarchy by gradually changing the color from dark to light.
'
'
💯Before visiting the Mogao Caves, you need to read books or watch documentaries:
📘"Introduction to Dunhuang Art": This book is a beginner's guide to Dunhuang art, introducing the representative of Dunhuang art - Mogao Caves - through ten chapters, including the predecessors of the Mogao Caves, colored Buddha statues and Bodhisattva statues, and major mural types.
📘"Here is China": Read the chapter "Gansu: The More You Go, the More Beautiful" to learn about the natural and cultural style of Dunhuang and its province, Gansu, from a geographical perspective.
📘"Hexi Corridor": Using the construction of Cave 220 in the Mogao Caves as an example, this documentary explores how the Mogao Caves witnessed the prosperity of the Silk Road and became a microcosm of the Tang Dynasty. It also introduces the origin, excavation, murals, and development of the Mogao Caves, presenting the glory and desolation of Dunhuang art.
📚These books and documentaries can help us better understand the Dunhuang culture and the historical background of the Mogao Caves, enhancing our visiting experience.
👉Reservation and Tickets🎫
① Reservation: The "Dunhuang Mogao Caves Tour Reservation" Mini Program or official account (p2). Reserve one month in advance during the tourism peak season.
② Ticket Types: Regular Ticket & Emergency Ticket
✨Regular Ticket (2 digital movies + 8 caves)💰: 238 yuan, about 20 people per group, with a guide in the caves for explanation.
✨Emergency Ticket (4 caves)💰: 100 yuan, explanation provided at the cave entrance, queue for visiting.
✨Special Cave Ticket: Can be purchased on-site only after visiting all 8 regular caves or 4 emergency caves. 💰: 150~200 yuan, different group sizes with in-depth explanations.
•
👉Visiting Routes
①Regular Ticket: Enter through the Mogao Caves Digital Center and take a bus to the visiting point (watch 2 digital movies then visit the caves).
·
② Emergency Ticket: Follow the signs at the Mogao Caves Digital Center and take a bus to the visiting point (queue for visiting directly). Visit the 4 emergency caves in order.
⚠️⚠️⚠️
❶Emergency ticket holders should come early because the queue can be very long. It is also recommended to visit 4 emergency caves, but it may lead to a negative experience due to short visiting time caused by long waiting time.
❷Regular ticket holders usually do not buy special cave tickets.
