Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Introduction The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves were first carved during the later period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and continued through the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Yuan dynasties, remaining one of the Buddhist centers in the Western Regions throughout. Originally there were 83 caves, of which 57 still exist, with 40 featuring murals. The total area of the murals is 1,200 square meters. The mural content mainly includes “Jataka Transformation” story paintings centered on large standing Buddha images, Buddhist story paintings, karma story paintings, as well as Thousand Buddha images, all intended to praise the Dharma and serve as objects of worship for devout Buddhists.　

The heyday of the cave complex was during the Uyghur Gaochang period. By the end of the 13th century, the Gaochang royal family moved east to Yongchang in Gansu, and with the introduction of Islam into Turpan, Buddhism gradually declined. Consequently, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves also fell into decline, suffering damage during religious conflicts, with the eyes of the figures in the murals all gouged out. In the early 20th century, the site was further ravaged by unscrupulous foreign looters, compounding the destruction and leaving the caves almost unrecognizable. Despite this, the surviving Buddha pedestals remain exquisitely ornate, and the remaining murals are rich in content and diverse in style, making it a grand treasure house of cultural art. Transportation: Located 38 kilometers from the city center, it can be reached by chartered vehicle.

Turpan, Xinjiang

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units