Verdant Miles Exhibition: The Steppe Silk Road in the 10th to 12th Century
In Hangzhou, China, the „Verdant Miles: The Steppe Silk Road in the 10th to 12th Century“ exhibition will officially open on July 11th at the National Silk Museum of China, marking a highlight of the „Silk Road Week 2025.“ Curated jointly by the museum and cultural institutions of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the exhibition showcases over 200 artifacts, with more than 60 classified as top-tier relics, providing a vivid insight into the cultural exchange along the ancient Steppe Silk Road.
The Steppe Silk Road spanned across Eurasia, serving as a vital northern corridor connecting nomadic and agrarian civilizations. From the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), where the splendor of the Tang, the elegance of the Song, and the dynamism of Central Asia merged, to the Khitans who created a unique synthesis of cultures, this route facilitated the flow of ideas, goods, and technologies – from horse domestication to metallurgy – shaping the pluralistic unity of Chinese civilization.
Highlights of the Exhibition
- The Origins of the Steppe Silk Road – Tracing its prehistoric roots and expansion under the Liao Dynasty, transforming the route into a flourishing trade network.
- Traces of Nomadic and Agrarian Peoples – Showcasing Khitan innovations in governance, craftsmanship (textiles, ceramics, and metalwork), and their dual administrative system bridging nomadic and Han traditions.
- Confluence of Various Civilizations in China – Displaying glassware, agate, amber, and crystal from Persia and the Arab world, along with diplomatic artifacts from the Song, Xia, and Jin Dynasties.
- Expansion of the Silk Road in the Steppe – Exploring the maritime trade of the Liao with the Kingdom of Wuyue (now Zhejiang), exchanging Celadon, silk, and spices for Central Asian treasures.
The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, honored as the guest province of the „Silk Road Week 2025,“ will enrich the opening ceremony with the traditional Morin Khuur (horse-head fiddle). Highlights include thrilling performances of „The Boundless Grassland“ and „Ten Thousand Horses Galloping,“ evoking the spirit and grandeur of the steppe.
„Verdant Miles“ will be open for viewing until October 20, 2025, providing a unique opportunity to engage with the enduring legacy of this historic Silk Road corridor.
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Email: lijinfang@cnsilkmuseum.org