Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace (Desert Clay Art Museum)

　　Entering the Flaming Mountains, about 2 kilometers south of the famous Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves on the west bank of the Mudi Gully, you can see from afar a complex of earthen structures mainly featuring clay sculptures — that is the Flaming Mountains Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace, built in 1990. It integrates the natural environment, architecture, murals, and sculpture art, possessing unique artistic charm and visual impact.

　　The Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace greets a continuous stream of domestic and international visitors with large-scale sculptures such as “Ancient Silk Road Fortress,” “Kalakho,” “Princess Iron Fan,” “Tang Seng Preaching Scriptures,” “Maitreya Buddha,” and “Guanyin Hall.” This scenic area consists of 20 attractions with quite rich content, covering everything from ancient myths and legends to ethnic customs and local scenery. With historical figures and their great deeds, Uyghur folk tales, and interesting anecdotes from Turpan as its narrative threads, it vividly and comprehensively showcases the historical panorama of Turpan, an important city in the Western Regions, through four types of clay art forms: religion, folklore, music and dance, and treasured collections.

　　Covering an area of 30,000 square meters, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace is situated against mountains and near water, adjacent to National Highway 312, making it easily accessible and blessed with a beautiful natural environment. The park features grand Islamic-style buildings that are classic and uniquely charming. Passing through a beautifully patterned archway over 10 meters high, built from adobe bricks, you’ll be greeted by the Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace, composed of three domed buildings. In the central hall stands a seated Buddha — a magnificent and imposing 10-meter-tall painted statue, enlarged from a exquisite red-clothed Buddha sculpture unearthed in Yanqi. It is the largest seated Buddha in Xinjiang.

　　The murals in the left and right halls are based on the murals of the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves in Baicheng and the Bezeklik Grottoes in Turpan respectively, carefully restored and painted. Especially lifelike and stunning are the depictions of the King and Queen of the Gaochang Uyghurs and the donor figures.

　　There is a dedicated sand therapy area in the Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace — those interested might want to give it a try.