Kumtura Caves
库木吐喇千佛洞
A cluster of Kucha-style grottoes on the Weigan River. Murals that blend Han Chinese and Kucha styles reflect the cultural exchange during the Tang-era Anxi Protectorate.
The Kumtura Thousand Buddha Caves lie on the east bank of the Weigan River, about 25 km southwest of Kuqa city. Administratively, they belong to Xinhe County. More than one hundred numbered caves survive, dating roughly from the 5th to the 11th centuries. Compared with Kizil, the caves carved after the Tang dynasty show strong Central Plains influence, with many murals in the Han Chinese style, Chinese inscriptions and some caves in the Uyghur style. They reflect the cultural exchange between the Central Plains and the Western Regions during the period when the Tang Anxi Protectorate was based in Kucha. The site is also a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Because some caves have been damaged by groundwater caused by reservoir construction, conservation pressure is high. For this reason, access is limited, and visits usually need to be arranged in advance through local heritage authorities or travel agencies. It is best suited to visitors with a serious interest in cave art. We recommend pairing it with the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and Subashi Buddhist Ruins for a themed Kucha cave-art route. Getting there: about 40 minutes by chartered vehicle from Kuqa city. Note: photography inside the caves is strictly prohibited.
Opening hours
Check opening and book in advance