Lovers of Dunhuang art and culture dressed as the characters in the Mogao Caves frescoes. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Cultural relics recognized as the national treasure of China from Dunhuang of Gansu province will be featured at the upcoming exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai.

The Great Art of Dunhuang, taking place at the China Art Museum, Shanghai, also known as the Shanghai Art Museum, from Sept 20 to Dec 20, features some of the most representative and rare artworks from the collection of the Dunhuang Academy. While a number of the objects are so important that they are forbidden to travel abroad, some artworks will be making their debut showcase in Shanghai.

Dunhuang is an ancient city located in an oasis in the Gobi desert in northwestern China's Gansu province. An important trade town along the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang is home to the renowned Mogao Caves, a treasure trove of Buddhist art and culture.

Zhang Yuanlin, deputy director of the Dunhuang Academy, introduces the highlight of the upcoming exhibition at the China Art Museum, Shanghai, on Tuesday. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The new exhibition in Shanghai will feature wide diversity of artworks from Dunhuang, including replica of some representative caves with frescoes, as well as Buddha statues and paintings.

The exhibition will be jointly hosted by the Dunhuang Academy and China Art Museum, Shanghai, under the guidance of the municipal administration of culture and tourism. It will be an event for the 35th Shanghai Tourism Festival.