Mogao
Caves are located about 25km southeast of Dunhuang, in Gansu province.
The Caves are a system of 492 Buddhist cave temples. They are also known
as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, the Mogao Grottoes or the Caves
of Dunhuang.
This honeycomb of caves was constructed more than a thousand years. From
the 4th until the 14th century, Buddhist monks at Dunhuang collected scriptures
everywhere. Also many pilgrims painted murals inside the caves when passed
through here. Despite erosion and man-made destruction, 492 caves are
well preserved now. In the caves, the frescoes covering an area of 45,000
square meters and more than 2,000 colored sculptured figures. Clay statues
were placed in front of the cave walls, the largest statue is 34.5 meters
(113 feet) high and the smallest a mere 2 centimeters (0.79inches) high.
Apart from artifacts, there are 50,000 manuscripts written in many languages.
India is the origin area of Buddhist art, so Indian Buddhist art are showed
in the earlier works. While
the recent works depict the life and activities in the local setting.
Artists in each dynasty painted with their distinctive palette. When you
are exploring the caves you will feel you are reliving the daily routines
and special events.
Mogao Caves were discovered in the period of great international archaeological
research in this area and Sir Aurel Stein was the first to gain access
in 1907. Thereafter archaeologists from France, Russia and China were
drawn to Dunhuang. So the great majority of manuscripts and documents
from these caves are to be found in Beijing, Paris, London and St. Petersburg.
Mogao Caves are the greatest and most consummate repository of historical
and cultural collection over a thousand years between China and other
nations. People believe it is possible to fill 25 kilometers (15.5miles)
of gallery space with the works of art from Mogao Caves. The Mogao Caves
were listed on the World Heritage List in 1987 by United National Education
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Dunhuang Tour Routes Covers Crescent Lake
Dunhuang 3 days tour
Dunhuang one day tour
all Dunhuang tours...
Photo of Dunhuang Crescent Lake and Echoing Sand Mountain
   
All Dunhuang Photos
Dunhuang Introduction
|
Home: China Attractions : Dunhuang Attractions :
Home