Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

柏孜克里克千佛洞

Cave temples carved into the cliffs of Muhe Gorge in the Flaming Mountains, once the royal monastery of the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom. They are Turpan's most important surviving Buddhist art.

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are cut into the western cliff of Muhe Gorge, in the middle section of the Flaming Mountains. They lie about 45 km from downtown Turpan, between the Flaming Mountains scenic area and Grape Valley, and make a convenient first stop on the eastern route. The caves were begun at the end of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and flourished during the Tang period in Xizhou and under the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom (9th to 13th centuries). They served as the royal monastery of the Uyghur kingdom. Eighty-three caves survive, and more than 40 retain mural fragments, covering about 1,200 square metres in total. The subjects are mainly Uyghur donors, vow paintings and sutra-transformation scenes, and the costumes and facial features of the figures show a strong Uyghur character. In the early twentieth century, German explorer Albert von Le Coq and others cut away and removed many of the finest murals, which are now scattered across Berlin, London, Tokyo and elsewhere. Some were destroyed in the Second World War, so the murals you see on site are mostly damaged. The caves and the Muhe Gorge landscape are still striking, though. From the entrance at the cliff top, a row of caves stretches along the rock face. Below lies a green oasis gorge, and across from it rise the red Flaming Mountains. Admission is about 40 yuan. Six or seven caves are currently open to visitors, and a visit takes about 45 minutes. Photography inside the caves is not allowed. Good to know: the caves are dim, so bring a small flashlight. The murals are fragile, so do not touch them. The cliff steps are steep, so watch your footing. From here, following the gorge east brings you to Grape Valley, and heading south takes you to Gaochang Ruins.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

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