Kizil Caves
克孜尔千佛洞
China’s earliest large Buddhist cave complex, famous for the diamond-lattice paintings of Kucha. A World Heritage component of the Silk Roads.
The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves lie about 70 km west of Kuqa, in Kizil Township of Baicheng County. They are carved into the cliffs on the north bank of the Muzat River. About 349 numbered caves survive, dating roughly from the 3rd to the 9th century, making them older than the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang. They are the representative site of the Kucha caves. The murals are best known for their blue-green “diamond-lattice” Jataka and avadana stories, as well as the famous celestial musicians (apsaras). The site is called “a treasure house of Kucha art.” In the early 20th century, a German expedition cut out large sections of murals and transported them to Berlin, and you can still see traces of these cuts in the caves. At the entrance stands a bronze statue of Kumarajiva, the Kucha monk and translator of Buddhist scriptures. Visits are led by a guide, who opens about 8 to 10 ordinary caves; special caves require an extra ticket. Photography inside the caves is strictly prohibited. You can also walk to the “Spring of a Thousand Tears” behind the mountain. Admission is about RMB 50–60, with special caves charged separately (subject to the scenic area). Allow 2–3 hours. Getting there: a chartered car or self-drive from Kuqa city takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. There is no convenient public transport, so consider combining it with the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower and the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon as a day trip.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–18:30 Beijing time (shorter in winter)