A captivating dance inspired by ancient Silk Road murals transformed centuries-old art into a shimmering on-stage performance during the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday evening.

The segment, titled 'Silk Road Ancient Rhythms,' transported audiences to the historic city of Dunhuang in northwest China's Gansu Province, a site renowned for its UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes dating back to the 4th century, and known as a vital stop on the ancient Silk Road.

The special gala sequence offered a graceful journey through history's splendor and sought to bring the ancient artworks to life. It was choreographed with guidance from 94-year-old designer and Tsinghua University professor Chang Shana, who specializes in the cave murals of Dunhuang.

The Mogao Grottoes represent the fusion of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and have gained greater cultural significance as a place where East meets West. They feature a total of 735 caves housing more than 2,000 colorful sculptures and murals totaling 45,000 square meters.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people, and watching the Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan," is a cherished part of the celebrations every year in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes.

Since first being broadcast in 1983, the gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.

The Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.

The 2026 Spring Festival falls on Tuesday this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse.