Page 13 - 15 Day China Sample

Throughout the early 1900’s a number of the books, photos and silk paintings have been pilfered. The reckless and wanton robbery of the Dunhuang Grottoes aroused the indignation of the Chinese. Pressurized by patriotic scholars, the Qing court appropriated funds to have the remaining over 8000 volumes of scripture books brought to Beijing library. Many were lost on the way. Also visit the highly regarded Dunhuang Museum. Housing more than 4000 cultural relics, the museum is divided into three sections. The first section displays written sutras from cave no.17 of Mogao Grottoes, one of the four most famous archaeological finds in 20th century. They provide the real evidence of Buddhist activities in Chinese history. The second section exhibits artifacts unearthed from graves dating back to the Han, Jin, Sui, and Tang Dynasties. There is a stone pagoda, a pottery box, a stone figure of a beast, as well as lotus and kylin bricks. The kylin brick features a kind of high-relief and they are extremely unique. The stone figure of a beast was believed to drive away monsters or evil and was placed in the grave in ancient times. Dunhuang was an important trade center on the Silk Road. All kinds of merchandise were collected and distributed from there. The third section displays a number of exhibits including some exquisite silk floret brocade, bamboo slips used for writing, and iron and bronze tools and weapons, all of which represent Dunhuang’s flourishing culture. There are also two historical relics exhibition rooms in the museum that house more than 2000 relics excavated from the local area, like paper, coins, pottery utensils, bricks, tiles and a model of the Great Wall that appeared during Han Dynasty and a torch from one of its beacon towers. Dunhuang Museum reflects the flourishing social development that took place in Dunhuang and the cultural exchange between China and the West. It will help visitors to understand ancient Chinese civilization. Overnight: Dunhuang Grand Soluxe Hotel – Elite Room