The Thousand Buddha Caves of Toyuk Gully in Turpan

The Thousand Buddha Caves of Toyuk Gully in Turpan

The Thousand Buddha Caves of Toyuk Gully in Turpan

Located approximately 55 kilometers southeast of Turpan, Xinjiang, in Toyuk Township, Shanshan County. Originally there were 94 caves, all carved into the high cliffs on both sides of the mouth of Toyuk Gully. Most of the caves have now collapsed, with only eight still retaining partial murals. A number of Buddhist scriptures from the 3rd, 5th, and 6th centuries were discovered here.

Cave No. 4 in the southeastern area of Toyuk Gully is one of the early caves in the Turpan region. The Chinese inscriptions on the murals inside the cave resemble the calligraphy of scriptures from the late 5th to early 6th century, indicating that these early caves were probably excavated around that time. These early caves include both square domed chambers with central altars, and rectangular vaulted caves with rear central pillars, which were introduced from Kucha. The statues inside the caves have long been destroyed, but surviving mural themes include Jataka tales and Thousand Buddhas.

Toyuk Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Shanshan County, Xinjiang. “Toyuk” is a transliteration from the Uyghur language, meaning “impassable.” In 1959, it was established as the Hongxing Commune; in 1978, it was renamed Toyuk Commune; and in 1984, it became a township. It is located at the southern foot of the Flaming Mountains, southwest of the county seat, 46 kilometers from the county town. Covering an area of 2,000 square kilometers, it has a population of 21,000. The population includes Uyghur, Han, Hui, and other ethnic groups, among which Uyghurs make up 90.8%.

It administers Yingmaili, Yanghai, Toyuk Xia, Mazar’alidi, Yingyoukuri Mali, Subexi, Zerifukan, Jiantankan, Mazengkan, Panjiakan...   More detailed information about Toyuk Township++