Mogao Grottoes

Last Update: 2008-4-23; By lavender0108

Accessibity: 2-star

Natural Scenery: 2-star

Culture & history: 5-star

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The Mogao Grottoes, commonly named Thousand-Buddha Caves, and praised as "a glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road", are the most famous grottoes in China. Located 25km southeast of Dunhuang County, these caves are carved out of the sandstone cliffs of Mingsha Mountain, extending some 1600m from south to north. Constructed in 10 dynasties from the fourth to the 14th century, its 45000 square meters of mural paintings and more than 2000 color statues are regarded as the greatest treasure-house of Buddhist art existing in the world.

The grotto was first chiseled in 366 AD. According to legend, this area was marshland over 1000 years ago. A monk called Yue Zun dreamed of 1000 golden Buddhas when he was traveling home across this region and he decided to turned his dream into reality.

Over the next 1000 years, 16 dynasties rose and fell; artists of each period contributed. The construction work was completed during the Yuan dynasty and since ever, the grottos have stood there through natural erosion and war flames for hundreds of years. Today, 492 caves are still standing. Altogether there are 2,000 statues and over 45,000 separate murals.

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opentime:08：10－18：00 Tourtime:half a day

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There are 3 comments about Mogao Grottoes:

4-star christyinguilin Says:2008-8-11 0:27:00
It will be a pity if you don’t go there. Although the frescoes were painted long time ago, they are still in bright colors. The delicate frescoes and the lifelike statues will decidedly give you a deep impression. You can choose the visiting order, and there is a tourist guide in every cave waiting to give you some introductions. But you’d better read some materials about it before going there, since in this way you can gain brief knowledge of it, which will be helpful for you to appreciate the frescoes and statues better. Besides, I strongly suggest you take an electric torch. If you don’t have one, it will be too dark to see them clearly. Some of the precious frescoes begin to peel off, even though they are under conservation and restoration. So if you want to see them, go as soon as possible.