Over 100 photographers from China and overseas gathered at the Mogao Caves in Gansu on Monday, the first such event ever hosted at the site.

本周一，百余名中外摄影家齐聚甘肃莫高窟，这是莫高窟首次举办此类活动。

The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand-Buddha Caves, about 25 km southeast of Dunhuang city, are one of the largest and best-preserved sites of Buddhist¹ art in the world.

莫高窟也被称为千佛洞，位于敦煌市东南方向约25公里，是世界上规模最大、保存最完好的佛教艺术宝库之一。

According to Dunhuang Academy, the authority in charge of the research, protection and management of the site, no one has ever been allowed to take cameras into the caves by themselves, and until now all photos showing the inside of the caves were taken by the academy only.

负责莫高窟研究、保护、管理工作的敦煌研究院表示，此前从未允许任何人私自带相机进入莫高窟，目前所有展现莫高窟洞窟内部的照片仅由敦煌研究院拍摄。

The event, lasting² from Oct 10 to 15, aims to demonstrate the art and historical richness of the caves. Five caves dating to different historical periods will be opened to the photographers.

此次活动时间从本月10日持续至15日，旨在展现莫高窟的艺术性和丰富的史学意义。5个不同历史时期的洞窟将向摄影家开放。

The copyright of all photos will belong to Dunhuang Academy, and the photos will be reviewed and selected by experts with the results published on the official website of the academy.

所有照片的版权将归敦煌研究院所有，这些照片将由专家进行评选，评选结果将在敦煌研究院官网公布。

Wang Xudong, head of Dunhuang Academy, said: "This activity is part of our effort to showcase and protect Dunhuang culture. Hopefully more people will understand the caves by photographing and joining the army that protects the precious cultural relics³ of humanity."

敦煌研究院院长王旭东表示：“这次活动是我们展示和保护敦煌文化的一部分。希望能有更多的人通过拍摄来了解洞窟，并加入保护人类宝贵文物的队伍中来。”