A Thoroughfare of Civilisations, a Gastronomic Epic.
The Silk Road, this vast thoroughfare of civilisations spanning the Eurasian continent, has served as a vital cultural link connecting China
and the world since Zhang Qian’s historic mission to the Western Regions. Amid the gentle tinkling of camel bells, it not only transported precious
commodities such as tea, silk, and porcelain but also carried forward the great epic of Chinese civilisation’s concept of “appreciating one’s own
beauty and that of others, and achieving harmony through the appreciation of diverse beauty”. In the delightful gustatory experience of “the co- aroma of sesame and millet”, it became the earliest example of “gourmet globalisation” in human history. The eastward spread of Buddhist scriptures and teachings gave rise to the miraculous Dunhuang art in the Hexi Corridor, characterised by “flying celestial robes and wind–filled murals”. This ancient road has witnessed not only the bustling comings and goings of caravans but also the eternal dialogue of mutual learning and exchange among different civilisations.