Events

This event is jointly organised by the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) and the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and held in conjunction with the Nalanda Professorship in India-China Studies.

The Mogao Caves at Dunhuang are among the world’s greatest Buddhist sites. More than 700 decorated caves were created between the 4th and 14th centuries, their walls covered with paintings and sculptures that reveal over a thousand years of artistic, religious, and cultural change. Situated at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, Dunhuang was a meeting point for people, ideas, and traditions from China, Central Asia, and beyond.

In this talk, Professor Puay-peng Ho explores how the caves can be read as records of devotion, patronage, and everyday life, offering a panoramic introduction to the history and art of Dunhuang.

This lecture introduces ACM’s upcoming special exhibition, Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road (4 September 2026–7 March 2027).

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Puay-peng Ho is Chair Professor in Architectural Heritage Conservation and  Head of the Department of Architecture at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He previously held professorships at the National University of Singapore and the UNESCO Chair on Architectural Heritage Conservation and Management in Asia. His research focuses on architectural history, heritage conservation practice, and the translation of research into teaching and professional practice. His particular area of expertise is the Buddhist architecture and ritual traditions of medieval China and Japan. 

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Louise Lui is curator (Chinese art) at the Asian Civilisations Museum. Her research interests include East Asian ceramics, textiles, and objects that arise from exchanges between different cultures and mediums. She curated Fukusa: Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection (2024), and is the curator for Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism and the Silk Road.

REGISTRATION

This event will be held in person at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM).
Admission is free with registration (a $10 refundable deposit is required).
Please register your interest at https://13aug2026.peatix.com/