Why We Love Dunhuang

Mid-Autumn Festival special: over the moon in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:23:07 GMT

In Mogao Caves are numerous mural paintings depicting the moon gods or goddesses. Why would there be a jade rabbit and a toad in a painting of the moon? What do these paintings say about ancient people’s admiration for the moon? Let's find out the answer on this Mid-Autumn Festival.

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Introducing "Why We Love Dunhuang"

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:22:26 GMT

Dunhuang is a place born in legends. Its unique charm has attracted people around the globe to come and worship. In this podcast series, we bring you to Dunhuang, and walk you through the reasons why we love Dunhuang.

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Chinese Valentine’s Day Special: Can you feel love in Dunhuang?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:17:54 GMT

Love is essential and universal. But did the ancients also feel the same way? What was their perception of ideal love? Let’s find the answer from the Dunhuang Mogao Caves.

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The luminous Dunhuang night market

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:17:10 GMT

The Dunhuang Night Market shines like a hidden gem amidst the dazzling culture and historical heritage of Dunhuang. What do locals in Dunhuang love to eat? Where can we find these special delicacies? What other interesting and enjoyable things are there to do and see?

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EP 55: Which is the No. 1 auspicious beast in Dunhuang?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:16:26 GMT

Among all the mythical beasts in Dunhuang, the Chinese dragon, or loong, undoubtedly holds the top stop. Dunhuang not only has a diverse collection of different loong patterns, it's also the home to a very unique one that can hardly be found anywhere else.

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EP 54: Dunhuang is where my heart belongs

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:16:02 GMT

The art treasures of Dunhuang have captivated generations of people. Among them is the “daughter of Dunhuang”, who has spent more than half a century researching and preserving the caves at the heart of the ancient Silk Road. Who is she? What’s her indissoluble bond with Dunhuang?

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EP 53: A treasure book on the wall

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:15:39 GMT

How did people make wine over 1000 years ago? How did the ancient blacksmiths do their work? Yulin Cave 3 is an encyclopedia where you can find all the answers.

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EP 52: The State Preceptor Cave

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:15:10 GMT

The murals of Yulin Cave 29 record a unique baldheaded hairstyle of the local males over 1000 years ago. What made the hairstyle so popular? And why was the cave called the “State Preceptor Cave”?

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EP 51: A unique wedding in an earthly paradise

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:14:45 GMT

Constructed on two sharp cliffs facing each other, and covering a period of more than 1500 years, the Yulin Caves are the twins of the Mogao Caves. It’s the only place in Dunhuang, where you can find an interethnic wedding being held in earthly heaven.

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EP 50: Lawsuit of widow A’long

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:14:15 GMT

French Sinologist Paul Pelliot brought lots of precious Dunhuang Manuscripts back to France, among which, was a complicated lawsuit, that happened over 1,000 years ago, and which was recorded in detail.

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EP 49: The Sogdian letters

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:13:47 GMT

Britain has the world largest collection of Dunhuang Manuscripts and other relics. What are some of the most amazing ones and what are the stories behind them? Who was the Sogdian woman who amazed world researchers more than 1,000 years later?

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EP 48: A glance at the Dunhuang Manuscripts

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:13:19 GMT

Why are the items found inside Dunhuang’s Library Cave so precious? What are the treasures included in the Dunhuang Manuscripts? Why is Dunhuang also related to the history of world astronomy?

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EP 47: World earliest printed book

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:12:48 GMT

The Dunhuang Manuscripts constitute the largest repositories of religious, scientific, and literary texts detailing aspects of life in China and abroad during the medieval period. Among them, you can find the world’s earliest printed book.

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EP 46: Love conquers all

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:12:20 GMT

Among all the caves in the Dunhuang Mogao complex, Cave 465 is different in many ways. Why are there images of a male deity embracing a female deity inside Cave 465? What’s the unique charm of this cave?

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EP 45: How to save 10,000 dying fish ?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:11:51 GMT

When Dunhuang ushered in the Song Dynasty, could it still copy the glories of the Tang Dynasty? How could a man save 10,000 dying fish in Cave 55?

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EP 44: Map of Mount Wutai

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:11:23 GMT

Who is the Bodisatffa associated with wisdom? What can we learn from a huge map painting of a sacred mountain in China? Let’s find the answers in Cave 61.

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EP 43: The 12 western zodiac signs

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:10:54 GMT

Why did the 12 Western astrological signs appear in the Dunhuang Mogao Cave 61 a thousand years ago? What are the stories behind the cave donors?

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EP 42: A competition of supernatural powers

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:10:16 GMT

Dunhuang Mogao Cave 196, built in the Late Tang period, shows a fierce and magnificent competition of magical powers.

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EP 41: A cave in honor of General Zhang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:09:38 GMT

Cave 156 was constructed in Dunhuang in honor of a great general, who upheld the last glory of the fading Tang Dynasty.

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EP 40: The most famous cave in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:09:14 GMT

Cave 17, otherwise known as the Library Cave, is perhaps, the most famous cave in Dunhuang. Why is there a vivid monk statue inside this cave? Who was he?

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EP 39: From High Tang to Middle Tang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:08:40 GMT

Guess who is the second most famous woman in the Tang Dynasty? Why is she blamed for triggering a major military rebellion that led to the decline of the Tang? And how did Cave 159, built in the Middle Tang, reflect the changing times?

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EP 38: A fashion show in the kingdom of giants

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:08:13 GMT

Inside Dunhuang Mogao Cave 130, we can find the second largest Buddha statue in Dunhuang, the largest Apsara and Bodhisattva images, as well as a grand fashion show of the Tang Dynasty.

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EP 37: Buddha’s grand funeral

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:07:40 GMT

Nirvana is the ‘ultimate state of being’ in Buddhism. Cave 148 of the Dunhuang Mogao complex is a special cave dedicated to this purpose, where it’s possible to sense the feeling of Nirvana.

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EP 36: Parable of the phantom city

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:07:14 GMT

In Cave 103 of the Dunhuang Mogao complex, you can still find the long-lost landscape painting style of the Tang Dynasty, as well as a story about how to achieve long-term goals.

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EP 35: Regaining the joy of childhood

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:06:38 GMT

Inside the Buddhist world of Dunhuang, there is also a playground for children. Let’s meet some kids who have special skills in Cave 79.

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EP 34: The spring rain drops on the green land

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:06:11 GMT

Although the Mogao Caves are located in the northern part of China, you can find pictured here poetic rural scenery which only belongs in the southern part of China. That’s in Cave 23, another artistic cave built in the High Tang period.

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EP 33: A rendezvous with the group of seven

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:05:41 GMT

The art of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak in the High Tang period. In this episode, we’ll visit the most representative cave built in this period where you can have a ‘heart to heart’ with those amazing, sculptured figures.

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EP 32: A pioneer of culture communication

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:04:11 GMT

A non-Chinese figure was depicted on the wall of Dunhuang Cave 217. Who was he? Why was his name related to one of China’s most famous Buddhist mountains?

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EP 31: The beauty cave in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:03:44 GMT

Among all the Bodhisattva images in Dunhuang, Cave 57 has the most beautiful one. Let’s meet the Venus of the East!

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EP 30: The giant Buddha and the powerful empress

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:03:17 GMT

Cave 96 is an iconic building in Dunhuang. It not only has the largest statue in Dunhuang, but it is also related to the only female emperor in Chinese history.

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EP 29: A Chinese diplomat and his celebrity effect

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:02:51 GMT

Cave 323 tells stories of how Buddhism came to China, and the story was related to one of the most famous diplomats in ancient China.

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EP 28: The paradises of east and west

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:02:21 GMT

History generally regards the Tang Dynasty, as a high point of Chinese civilization. Which cave in Dunhuang best represents the changing art style of this golden age?

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EP 27: Buddhism rises again

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:01:53 GMT

The Sui Dynasty united China but it only lasted for 37 years. However, more than 100 caves were built in Dunhuang during this period. What caused the prosperity in Dunhuang and what can we find in the caves built during this period?

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EP 26: The prince and the hungry tigress

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:01:29 GMT

The Northern Zhou Dynasty was not a period in favour of Buddhism in China, but Cave 428 built during this time has the largest number of donor images in the Dunhuang Mogao complex. Its murals also tell one of the most well-known Buddhist stories of self-sacrifice.

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EP 25: Fantastic beasts and Queen Mother of the West

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:01:00 GMT

Dunhuang Mogao Cave 249 is a grand gathering of magical animals and deities from Chinese mythology, as well as some from other cultures. Who are they and why are they there?

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EP 24: Conversion of 500 bandits

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:36 GMT

With its design, rich content, religious objects, aesthetic ideals, and art form, Cave 285 is considered one of the most special in Dunhuang. It also provides great evidence for the time of construction of the cave.

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EP 23: The earliest-dated cave in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:03 GMT

What makes Cave 285 one of the most special ones in Dunhuang? Why it is the earliest-dated cave in Dunhuang? and what do the sun god and moon god look like in ancient China?

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EP 22: Mona Lisa of the East

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:59:06 GMT

Among all the Buddha statues in the Mogao Grottoes, which one has gained fame as the “Mona Lisa of the East” with his attractive and mysterious smile?

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EP 21: The Nine-Colored Deer

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:57:38 GMT

On the mural paintings of Cave 257, you can find one of the most famous mythical creatures in china, the Nine-Colored Deer. What’s the story of this magic deer?

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EP 20: King Sibi and the dove

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:54:45 GMT

Why would a prince give up the secular world and pursue a religious life? Why would a king offer his flesh to save a dove? The wall paintings of Dunhuang Mogao Cave 275 have some interesting Buddhist stories to tell.

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EP 19: The cross-legged Bodhisattva and dog-looking lions

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:54:16 GMT

The earliest caves in Dunhuang were constructed about 1,600 years ago. What do the caves look like? How could ancient Chinese sculptors tackle the problem of depicting lions without ever having seen a real one?

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EP 18: Horses in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:53:43 GMT

In the modern Olympic Games, equestrian is the only category of sport where athletes work with animals. The relation between humans and horses were also vividly depicted in the Dunhuang murals a thousand year ago. Why is there so much horse-related content in Dunhuang?

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EP 17: Living in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:53:09 GMT

How did the Dunhuang people live more than a thousand years ago? What was their attitude towards life and death? Their happiness and struggles have all been recorded inside the Caves.

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EP 16: Dunhuang dance and Tang performing arts

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:50:38 GMT

The Dunhuang dance has become a unique genre of traditional Chinese dance. Originating from the cave murals, what’s the charm of Dunhuang dance? Why does the ancient art form still provide inspiration for modern artists?

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EP 15: The flying apsaras

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:49:50 GMT

If you want to find some of the most beautiful flying figures in Dunhuang, you have to find the images of Feitian. They are the symbol of the Mogao Grottoes. Why?

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EP 14: Murals of Dunhuang Mogao Caves

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:49:16 GMT

The murals of Dunhuang are of unique research and artistic value. They are seen as the ‘gene bank’ of Chinese paintings and have served as sources of inspiration for many modern designers as well. Let’s take a look at this splendid art form in Dunhuang.

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EP 13: Coloured Buddha statues in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:48:54 GMT

Among the over 2000 Buddha statues in the Dunhuang Mogao Caves, the tallest one is over 35 meters tall. Where is this Buddha statue located? How is it related to the only female monarch in the history of China ?

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EP 12: Sculptures of Dunhuang Mogao Caves

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:40:39 GMT

Colored sculptures are the main features of the Dunhuang Grottoes. They have been preserved for more than a thousand years. Frozen in time, they are the essence of Dunhuang art, which showcases the rare and excellent skills of local craftsmen.

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EP 11: Cave-making in Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:34:15 GMT

There are more than 800 caves built on the cliffs in Dunhuang. Why were they built? Technically how were the caves built in the middle of a desert? What are the functions of different caves?

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EP 10: From past to present: why we love Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:20:59 GMT

Why does Dunhuang continue to attract people, past and present, from all around the world? What makes Dunhuang a land of miracles?

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EP 09: The guardians of Dunhuang

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:20:30 GMT

Dunhuang has experienced many ups and downs through its long history, but the value of Dunhuang remained because it has always had its own guardians.

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EP 08: A national tragedy

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:19:47 GMT

Inside the Library Cave of Dunhuang Mogao Caves, there were over 50,000 cultural relics dating back to the late 4th to the 11th centuries. But now the cave is empty. What happened?

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EP 07: The first Western explorer of Mogao Caves

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:19:16 GMT

According to some people, he is a brilliant explorer and archaeologist. But some people say he is a robber, a liar, and a devil along the ancient Silk Road. No matter what, his name is always connected with Dunhuang.

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EP 06: The mystery of the Library Cave (Part Two)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:18:40 GMT

The Library Cave had more than 50,000 historical items inside. What happened to the contents after they were discovered?

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EP 05: The mystery of the Library Cave (Part One)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:17:54 GMT

There are many mysteries surrounding the Mogao Caves, but undoubtedly one of the most significant revelations was the discovery of the Library Cave. Who created this cave and why? And how was the hidden cave discovered?

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EP 04: Caves on the cliffs

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:17:14 GMT

The building of the Mogao Caves on the cliffs of Minsha Mountain in Dunhuang lasted for 1,000 years. How were the caves built and why were they built?

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EP 03: How Dunhuang became a Buddhist hub

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:16:32 GMT

The ancient Silk Road not only brought commercial prosperity to Dunhuang, but also paved ways for the spread of Buddhism. In this episode, we will explore how Buddhism spread along the ancient Silk Road.

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EP 02: The legend of Silk Road merchants

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:15:54 GMT

More than 2000 years ago, the people of Eurasia explored and opened up several routes of trade and cultural exchanges, which were called “the Silk Road” by later generations. In this episode, we’ll bring you to the life of the ancient merchants in Dunhuang, a key stop along the Silk Road.

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EP 01: Why Dunhuang matters?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:10:37 GMT

This episode tells you about a brief history of Dunhuang and its magnificent Mogao Grottoes. Who built those caves? Why were they built in the first place?

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