A photographer works in a cave in the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Northwest China's Gansu province, Oct 10, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Five caves dating to different historical periods will be opened to the photographers. 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 websites of the academy and by the provincial photographers' association.

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 relics of humanity."

The 1,600-year-old Mogao Caves feature a huge collection of Buddhist artworks -- more than 2,000 colored sculptures and 45,000 square meters of frescoes in 735 caves carved along a cliff by ancient worshippers. It was China's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1987.