An apsara painted on the ceiling of Cave 1.

The institute, moreover, endeavors to apply more modern technologies in archeological research. Their latest achievements include cooperation with a Shanghai-based digital graphic technology company. Constructions and murals in nine selected caves are scanned in digital and 3D formats to produce high definition pictures, which enable researchers to further compare the mural colors, make panoramas of frescoes, and produce digital models. Moreover, with the help of multi-spectrum technology, images that used to be blurry or indiscernible under natural light, including multi-layer murals, have now been made visible to the researchers.

During the 38th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee at Qatar, Doha on June 22, 2014, the Kizil Caves, as one of the sites on the Silk Road network, was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.