The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

　　Introduction       The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves were initially carved during the latter part of the Northern and Southern Dynasties period and continued to be developed through the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Yuan dynasties. They remained one of the major Buddhist centers in the Western Regions. Originally, there were 83 caves, 57 of which still exist today, with 40 featuring murals. The total mural area spans 1,200 square meters. The murals primarily depict “Jataka transformation tableaux” centered around large standing Buddha images, Buddhist stories, cause-and-effect tales, as well as images of thousand Buddhas. Their purpose was to glorify Buddhist teachings and provide objects of worship and reverence for devotees.　

　　      The Uyghur Gaochang period marked the most prosperous era of these caves. By the late 13th century, the royal family of Gaochang moved eastward to Yongchang in Gansu, and with the introduction of Islam to Turpan, Buddhism gradually declined. Consequently, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves fell into disuse, suffering damage during religious conflicts, with the eyes of figures in the murals being gouged out. In the early 20th century, they were further ravaged by unscrupulous foreign looters, compounding the destruction and leaving them almost unrecognizable. Despite this, the surviving Buddha pedestals remain exquisitely ornate, and the remaining murals are rich in content and vibrant in style, making the site still a grand treasure house of cultural art.   Transportation          Located 38 kilometers from the city center, the site can be accessed by chartered vehicle.     

　　 Turpan, Xinjiang