Discover a new mountain and sea wonder in Shanghai - Dunhuang's Mingsha Mountain is now within reach in the city!

The Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum, nestled in Changyang Campus, has meticulously recreated the essence of Dunhuang's cultural heritage by importing 15 tons of sand from Dunhuang's Mingshan Mountain, recreating the dunes' contours within the museum to immerse visitors in the historic scenery of Dunhuang.

In November 2024, the museum was inaugurated in Changyang Campus through a collaborative effort among Dunhuang Culture & Tourism Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai Yangpu Science and Technology Investment Development Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Fucai Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. This establishment is the only Dunhuang-themed exhibition hall outside of Dunhuang, signifying the completion of Changyang Campus's Art Center, one of its five key centers, and marking a new chapter for the cultural development of this area.

The Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum stands as a new cultural landmark, bridging the millennia-old artistic legacy of Dunhuang with the modern metropolis of Shanghai. It serves as a gateway for global audiences to engage with and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Dunhuang.

The Immersion and Extension of Dunhuang Culture

The exterior design of the art museum is inspired by the natural landscapes of Dunhuang, such as the wind-sculpted dunes and the arched grottoes. To imbue this Shanghai-based cultural landmark with an authentic sense of Dunhuang, the team at the Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum transported 15 tons of genuine Dunhuang sand, traversing 3000 kilometers from the foot of Mingsha Mountain to Shanghai, to replicate the iconic landscapes of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring within the venue.

This endeavor represents a cultural "immersion", a romantic journey that traverses both time and space. Dunhuang culture transcends the boundaries of historical records, offering a vivid, experiential dimension—echoing the ancient frontier where the winds of the desert and the rhythmic tolling of camel bells marked the confluence of eastbound explorers and westbound cultural currents, forging the enduring legacy of Dunhuang's 1,650-year-old cultural marvel. At this moment, the sands of Dunhuang find a new home in Shanghai, transforming the abstract into the concrete, the unseen into the seen, and the unfelt into the palpable. These sands, borne on ancient winds from afar, witness the bravery of those who journeyed west 1,000 years ago and will continue to witness the indomitable spirit of those who chart new courses in our times.

A New Cultural Landmark for Tech Innovation and Cultural Creation

The inauguration of the Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum marks a pivotal moment in the cultural development of Changyang Campus. As an innovation and entrepreneurship demonstration park in Shanghai, Changyang Campus has been committed to creating a comprehensive park that integrates business incubation, R&D, and cultural exchanges. The museum's presence not only deepens the cultural essence of the park but also enhances its overall quality and influence.

With its roots in the ancient city of Dunhuang and its home in the vibrant city of Shanghai, the Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum sets its sights on the international art arena. It is dedicated to the comprehensive exploration and curation of Dunhuang's world heritage, embracing an ethos of openness and inclusiveness. The museum aspires to establish a global platform for artistic practice and theoretical research, blending the traditional with the contemporary, and positioning China as a central stage for these endeavors.

Furthermore, the museum will engage the public through a variety of art and experiential activities, offering Shanghai's residents broader insights into the development of global aesthetics and ensuring that the fruits of people's city building are more widely accessible. Looking ahead, the Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum is poised to become a defining cultural icon for Changyang Campus, drawing in a diverse array of artists and culture enthusiasts, and breathing new life into the park's cultural landscape.

1,000 years ago, Zhang Qian's diplomatic mission to the Western Regions, often referred to as the "pioneering" endeavor, marked the beginning of our forebears' quest to venture into the unknown from Dunhuang. The murals, sculptures, and other art works of Dunhuang are a reflection of the bustling trade and cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road. Fast forward to modern times, and since its opening as a treaty port in 1843, Shanghai has emerged as China's economic, financial, trade, and shipping center, acting as a vantage point for the country to engage with the world and a pivotal nexus for the confluence of Chinese and Western cultures.

In the present day, the timeless heritage of Dunhuang is reimagined and perpetuated in Changyang Campus. The city of Shanghai, with its ethos of openness and inclusiveness, offers an expansive platform for the dissemination of Dunhuang's cultural legacy. The entrepreneurs of Changyang Campus embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to the narrative of our times. Together, they are creating a luminous epoch, ensuring that the radiance of culture endures and illuminates the annals of history.