Exploring Verdant Miles: A Journey Through the Steppe Silk Road's Rich Heritage
The much-anticipated exhibition "Verdant Miles: The Steppe Silk Road from the 10th to 12th Century" is set to be officially inaugurated at the National Silk Museum in Hangzhou on July 11, 2025. This event marks a significant highlight of the "Silk Road Week 2025" and aims to shed light on the cultural interactions that took place along this vital trade route. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with cultural institutions from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, will feature over 200 artifacts, including more than 60 first-class relics, offering a vibrant glimpse into the rich tapestry of cultural exchanges during this period.
The Steppe Silk Road was a crucial northerly corridor that connected the nomadic and agrarian civilizations scattered across Eurasia. It flourished during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), when the interplay of the Tang Dynasty's grandeur, the elegance of the Song, and the vibrancy of Central Asian cultures converged. This route facilitated the exchange of ideas, goods, and technologies—ranging from horse domestication to advancements in metallurgy—thus shaping a pluralistic unity within Chinese civilization.
The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections:
1. The Origins of the Steppe Silk Road - This section traces the prehistoric roots of the route and its expansion under the Liao Dynasty, which transformed it into a thriving trading network.
2. Traces of Nomadic and Agrarian Peoples - Displays innovations by the Khitan in governance, craftsmanship (textiles, ceramics, and metalwork), and their dual administration system, marrying the traditions of the nomads and Han.
3. Confluence of Civilizations in China - Artifacts including glassware, agate, amber, and crystal from Persia and the Arab world will be showcased, alongside diplomatic relics from the Song, Xia, and Jin Dynasties.
4. Expansion of the Silk Road in the Steppe - This part will explore the maritime trading relationships the Liao Dynasty maintained with the Wuyue Kingdom (modern-day Zhejiang), trading items like celadon, silk, and spices for treasures from Central Asia.
The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, honored as the guest province for "Silk Road Week 2025," will enhance the opening ceremony with performances of traditional music on the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle). Spectacular performances of "The Boundless Grassland" and "Ten Thousand Horses Galloping," will evoke the spirit and magnificence of the vast steppe. The "Verdant Miles" exhibition is open until October 20, 2025, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the enduring legacy of this historic corridor of the Silk Road.
This extensive range of artifacts and cultural representations not only narrates the history of the Steppe Silk Road but also fosters an appreciation for the diversity and interconnectedness of cultures that the Silk Road facilitated throughout centuries, making it an essential piece of world heritage.
The Steppe Silk Road was a crucial northerly corridor that connected the nomadic and agrarian civilizations scattered across Eurasia. It flourished during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), when the interplay of the Tang Dynasty's grandeur, the elegance of the Song, and the vibrancy of Central Asian cultures converged. This route facilitated the exchange of ideas, goods, and technologies—ranging from horse domestication to advancements in metallurgy—thus shaping a pluralistic unity within Chinese civilization.
Highlights of the Exhibition
The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections:
1. The Origins of the Steppe Silk Road - This section traces the prehistoric roots of the route and its expansion under the Liao Dynasty, which transformed it into a thriving trading network.
2. Traces of Nomadic and Agrarian Peoples - Displays innovations by the Khitan in governance, craftsmanship (textiles, ceramics, and metalwork), and their dual administration system, marrying the traditions of the nomads and Han.
3. Confluence of Civilizations in China - Artifacts including glassware, agate, amber, and crystal from Persia and the Arab world will be showcased, alongside diplomatic relics from the Song, Xia, and Jin Dynasties.
4. Expansion of the Silk Road in the Steppe - This part will explore the maritime trading relationships the Liao Dynasty maintained with the Wuyue Kingdom (modern-day Zhejiang), trading items like celadon, silk, and spices for treasures from Central Asia.
The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, honored as the guest province for "Silk Road Week 2025," will enhance the opening ceremony with performances of traditional music on the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle). Spectacular performances of "The Boundless Grassland" and "Ten Thousand Horses Galloping," will evoke the spirit and magnificence of the vast steppe. The "Verdant Miles" exhibition is open until October 20, 2025, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the enduring legacy of this historic corridor of the Silk Road.
This extensive range of artifacts and cultural representations not only narrates the history of the Steppe Silk Road but also fosters an appreciation for the diversity and interconnectedness of cultures that the Silk Road facilitated throughout centuries, making it an essential piece of world heritage.
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