Participants of the 3rd World Conference of Sinologists write Han bamboo slips. [Photo/WeChat account: dunhuangfabu]

Sinologists from around the world began an immersive cultural journey on June 2 at the Site of Xuanquan Posthouse in Dunhuang, Jiuquan city, as part of the 3rd World Conference of Sinologists, which is taking place until June 4.

Xuanquan Posthouse, a key site of the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor on the Silk Road, was a vital postal hub and exchange station during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). It houses numerous Han bamboo slips and fortress ruins, showcasing centuries of East-West cultural exchange and integration. This site is crucial for understanding the Silk Road's history and the open, inclusive nature of Chinese civilization.

Participants visited the Xuanquan Posthouse Cultural Exhibition Center and fortress ruins, delving into the Han Dynasty's postal system, trade routes, and cultural dissemination through artifacts and historical materials.

The participants also had the opportunity to experience writing Han bamboo slips, immersing themselves in the unique charm of this cultural heritage.

Gustavo Alejandro Girado, professor at the National University of Lanus and the University of Buenos Aires, visited Dunhuang and wrote Chinese characters for the first time. Seeing the city in person, he described the experience as both surprising and shocking.