Silk Road Legacy Unveiled at China National Silk Museum

The exhibition brings together over 200 relics from 14 institutions across Zhejiang and Xinjiang, including 20 first-class national treasures. Visitors can examine thousands of ancient manuscripts recovered from Gaochang, which provide evidence of the region’s long-standing integration with the Central Plains. Alongside these documents, murals from the Kizil Caves illustrate a complex artistic convergence of Indian, Hellenistic, Persian, and Chinese traditions.

Running through September 1, 2026, the display emphasizes the roles of historical figures such as the monk Kumarajiva and King Jiangbin of Kucha. By showcasing administrative records and temple artifacts, the museum maps how these desert hubs functioned as conduits for exchange. This year’s Silk Road Week features the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as the guest region and the Kingdom of Morocco as the guest country of honor, facilitating a series of scholarly symposiums and public events held in Hangzhou.