A Visual Analysis of the Map of Mount Wutai in Mogao Cave 61 and Its Significance

A visual analysis of the map of Mount Wutai in Mogao Cave 61 reveals its significance as both a sacred landscape reconstruction and a political narrative. The mural, the largest extant landscape depiction on the Silk Road, serves as a visual pilgrimage space for believers unable to visit Mount Wutai while also reflecting the Guiyijun regime's political aspirations of peace and stability. Through art historical and iconographic analysis, the study demonstrates that this map mirrors cross-regional pilgrimage networks and the ideal order of multi-ethnic coexistence, underscoring Dunhuang's role as a cultural crossroads on the Silk Road.

Li, X. (2026). A Visual Analysis of the Map of Mount Wutai in Mogao Cave 61 and Its Significance. Communications in Humanities Research, 115(1), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/2026.ht36381