"Gandhara Heritage along the Silk Road: A Joint China-Pakistan Exhibition” inaugurated at Palace Museum, Lanzhou

September 08,2023

As part of the continued cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan, "Gandhara Heritage along the Silk Road: A Joint China-Pakistan Exhibition” was unveiled on 08 September at the Palace Museum in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. This is the continuation of the same exhibition that was held at the Palace Museum, Beijing earlier this year.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by senior officials from China and Pakistan, including Ms. Zhao Jinyun, Vice Governor of Gansu Province, Mr. Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum, Ms. Humaira Ahmed, Secretary of National Heritage and Culture Division, Pakistan and Mr. Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary, Deputy Head of Mission, Pakistan Embassy, Beijing.

The exhibition, showcasing 170 artifacts from Pakistan and 30 from Palace Museum, marked another milestone in cultural exchange programs between the two countries. The Pakistani artifacts featured in the exhibition were renowned Gandhara stone carvings, early Buddhist sculptures, Buddha stories, Jataka tales, stupa architectural components, as well as intricate gold and silverware, and jewelry.

Lauding the initiative, Ms. Humaira Ahmed, Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division, Pakistan termed the exhibition a landmark platform enabling the audience in China to explore the treasures of the great Gandhara civilization. She expressed appreciation of the Chinese side for the efforts to preserve and present the Gandhara artifacts that signified our common heritage.

Mr. Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary, Deputy Head of Mission at Pakistan Embassy, Beijing underlined the exhibition’s key role in showcasing the historical cultural exchanges that existed between China and Pakistan along the ancient Silk Road. He called the Gandhara Civilization a remarkable source for promoting bilateral cooperation, mutual understanding and people to people connectivity between our two countries.

The exhibition is one of the major activities undertaken for the ongoing Year of China-Pakistan Tourism Exchanges. Initially held at the prestigious Palace Museum, Beijing, the three-month long exhibition received wide attention from all segments of Chinese society and international community and was therefore converted into a touring exhibition. Palace Museum, Lanzhou is the first stop of this touring exhibition.

This exhibition is among a number of initiatives undertaken by the two countries to celebrate their shared heritage, profound people-to-people ties and timeless bond.

Beijing 

08 September 2023