Exploring the 'Verdant Miles' Exhibition: Silk Road Treasures Unveiled in Hangzhou
The 'Verdant Miles' Exhibition: A Journey Through Time
Introduction
On July 11, 2025, a remarkable exhibition titled 'Verdant Miles: The Steppe Silk Road from the 10th to the 12th Century' will officially open at the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou. This event marks a significant highlight of the 'Silk Road Week 2025' and is co-organized by the museum and cultural institutions from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Visitors can expect to explore over 200 artifacts, including 60 classified as first-class relics, that vividly depict the cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road.
The Historical Context of the Silk Road
Stretching across Eurasia, the Steppe Silk Road served as a crucial northern corridor connecting nomadic and agrarian civilizations. From the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), which melded the grandeur of the Tang era, the elegance of Song culture, and Central Asian dynamism, to the Khitan people who forged a unique cultural synthesis, this route facilitated the flow of ideas, goods, and technologies ranging from horse domestication to metallurgy. The exhibition encapsulates the pluralistic unity of Chinese civilization shaped by these interactions.
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition is structured into four thematic sections:
1. Origins of the Steppe Silk Road
This section traces the prehistoric roots of the Silk Road and its expansion under the Liao Dynasty, transforming it into a thriving trade network.
2. Traces of Nomadic and Agrarian Peoples
Here, the innovations of the Khitan—encompassing governance, craftsmanship (textiles, ceramics, metallurgy), and their dual administrative system—are presented, showcasing how they blended nomadic and Han traditions.
3. Convergence of Civilizations in China
This display features exquisite glassware, agate, amber, and crystal from Persia and the Arab world, alongside diplomatic artifacts from the Song, Xia, and Jin dynasties, illustrating the cultural convergence that occurred through trade.
4. Expansion of the Steppe Silk Road
This segment delves into the maritime trade of the Liao Dynasty with the Wuyue Kingdom (present-day Zhejiang), highlighting exchanges of celadon, silk, and spices for treasures from Central Asia.
Special Cultural Performances
Adding to the allure of the exhibition, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been designated this year's Guest Honorary Province for 'Silk Road Week 2025.' The opening ceremony will feature captivating traditional performances of the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle), with emotional renditions of pieces like 'The Boundless Prairie' and 'Ten Thousand Galloping Horses,' which evoke the spirit and majesty of the steppe.
Conclusion
'Verdant Miles' will remain open to the public until October 20, 2025, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the enduring legacy of this historical Silk Road corridor. This exhibition not only showcases an array of artifacts but also serves as a cultural bridge, inviting visitors to experience the rich tapestry of history that the Steppe Silk Road represents.