Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road

Step into four life-size reproductions of the Mogao Caves at the Asian Civilisations Museum's latest exhibition, Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road.

Running from 25 September 2026 to 7 March 2027, this exhibition brings original paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, textiles, and devotional objects from the famous cave complex in northwest China to Southeast Asia for the first time.

Families can explore the caves, including a colossal reclining Buddha and caves featuring Buddhist and Chinese mythology.

Kid-friendly activities abound: join a stamping trail with six stops to redeem a blind-box apsara figurine (from 2 October 2026), use an RFID-enabled paintbrush on a digital trail to collect colours and create a digital wallpaper, or pick up activity booklets tailored for ages 7-12 and 13+.

The museum's ACM & Me space offers new art activities inspired by the exhibition, including Tang dynasty-inspired dress-up and a zoetrope that animates your drawings. Outside, a six-metre inflatable apsara makes for a fun photo spot.

An all-access ticket is required for the stamping and digital trails.