In the Kizil caves, a Buddhist grotto in China's Xinjiang, some Buddhist murals and sculptures have surprisingly European faces. This shows the influence of the art of Gandhara, an important Silk Road pathway where different civilizations mingled over time.

The conversations among civilizations became a source of creativity and vitality. As we celebrate the first anniversary of the Global Civilization Initiative this year, we share this vision through the lens of Kizil caves, to understand why multiculturalism still matters for us today.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service