Bingling Temple: Uncover the Hidden Gems on Your Silk Road Trip
The Bingling Temple Grottoes, one of the longest continuous grotto complexes in China, are known as one of the three major grottoes in Gansu Province, along with the Mogao Caves and the Maijishan Grottoes. These renowned cultural heritages are top attractions along the Silk Road that you must see during a Silk Road trip in China.
Bingling Temple preserves murals and sculptures from various historical periods since the Western Qin Dynasty. It holds a very important position in Chinese grotto art and is acclaimed as the Encyclopedia of Chinese Grottoes. In the study of China’s Buddhist history, Buddhist art, and cultural exchanges between China and the West, Bingling Temple caves play an important role. In 2014, Bingling Temple Grottoes was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO.
Fast Facts about Bingling Temple
- Location: Yongjing County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China
- Opening hours: 8:30-18:00 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31); 9:00-17:00 (Nov.1 to Mar.31)
- Entrance fee: 50yuan per person
- Type: Landmarks; cultural heritage; grottoes; natural landscape
- Best Time to Visit: Spring & autumn
- Recommended Visiting Time: 4-6 hours
History of Bingling Temple
There are records from the Tang Dynasty that the Bingling Temple was initially established during the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, that is, between 265 and 274 AD, which is about a hundred years earlier than the recorded time of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. Having gone through more than ten historical periods and lasted for over 1,600 years, it provides deep insights into the profound Silk Road history.
The Bingling Temple Grottoes are the grotto complex that has experienced the most dynasties. By the mid-Qing Dynasty, it had developed into a grotto complex with a variety of artistic styles coexisting. In its nearly 1,700 years of development, the Bingling Temple Grottoes have experienced four peaks of Buddhist activities. Today, there are 216 remaining niches, 815 various types of Buddhist statues, more than 70 dated inscriptions and epitaphs, and over 1,000 square meters of murals.
Artistic Highlights
Known as a treasure house of art, the Bingling Temple Grottoes are renowned both at home and abroad for their concise and vivid stone carvings. Having gone through multiple historical periods including the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Western Xia, Yuan, Ming, Qing, they developed into a grotto complex with diverse artistic styles. The nearly 1,000 square meters of murals preserved in the Binglingsi Temple Grottoes are diverse in form and rich in subject matter. They also showcase the various aspects of Buddhist art, painting art, and social life in China’s northwest region.
What to See in Bingling Temple
Exquisite Sculptures
Some also refer to Bingling Temple as Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves, as there are a large number of sculptures and murals featuring the theme of the Thousand Buddhas. Bingling Temple Buddhism has a long and profound history. Traditional Chinese sculptural art pays particular attention to the expression of a work’s spirit and artistic conception. The Western Qin statues in Cave 169 of Bingling Temple also fully reflect this artistic characteristic to a great extent.
Among them, the statues in niches such as No. 18, 23, 6, 7, and 9 are the most outstanding examples. From the statues of the Sixteen Kingdoms period in Bingling Temple, it can be seen that the sculptural works at that time not only focused on the expression of the figures’ demeanor but also paid attention to the construction of various parts of the statues’ bodies and the depiction of muscles. They emphasized a majestic, robust, and vigorous temperament.
Vibrant Murals
The Bingling Temple Grottoes currently preserve 900 square meters of murals, among which many in the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, and Tang dynasties were repainted in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The murals from the Western Qin period are mainly concentrated in Cave 169, focusing on the representation of Mahayana Buddhist content.
Another example is the murals in the Northern Wei Cave 192. These murals are based on elegant and fresh shades of stone blue and stone green, and use vigorous and continuous ink lines to outline artistic figures that are well-dressed and transcendental. Despite the vicissitudes of a thousand years, the nearly 1,000 square meters of murals here still maintain their original bright colors.
Breathtaking Natural Landscape
The Bingling Temple Caves is composed of three major areas: the Bingling Temple Grottoes, the Bingling Stone Forest, and the Bingling Lake. In Bingling Lake, there is a magical sight where two rivers meet—one clear and green, the other turbid and yellow—forming a distinct boundary. The scenery along the banks is breathtakingly beautiful. The Bingling Stone Forest is like a natural sculpture museum, with countless strange peaks and myriad forms, set against the backdrop of Bingling Lake. On your Silk Road journey, never miss these splendid treasures!
Special Experiences
Unlock Different Travel Routes
At Bingling Temple, you have two travel route options. One is the water route, and the other is land route.
- Water route: Departing by boat from the Liujiaxia Dam Dock, you first experience the marvel of the confluence of the Yellow River and the Tao River. The water is clear and turbid, like a vibrant natural palette. Along the way, you will enjoy the majestic natural landscapes of the Liujiaxia Reservoir, the Three Bends of the Yellow River, the Kotuo Beacon Tower, the Yellow River Crossing, and the Sister Peaks.
- Land route: If you travel by land, you can drive to the Xiangyang Dock Visitor Service Center and travel along the Yellow River Historical and Cultural Corridor. In Xiangyang Dock Visitor Service Center, you can try multiple water sports at the Water Sports Center such as sailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Mountain Hiking
For hiking lovers, you can drive to the temporary ticket office at Taping Visitor Service Center. Upon arrival, start with a hike to visit the Bingling Temple Grottoes and experience the profound history of its thousand-year-old Buddhist culture. Afterward, take a sightseeing boat from the Bingling Temple Grottoes dock to Bingling Stone Forest to admire the magnificent Danxia landforms and unique stone forest landscapes.
How to Get to Bingling Temple
Waterway Transport
The first way is to take a coach to the Liujiaxia Dam Dock depart from Lanzhou, and then transfer to a cruise ship to Bingling Temple Grottoes. The price for a speedboat is 140-160 yuan per person. If you are in Yongjing County town, you can choose the second way to go to Xiangyang Dock first and then take a boat to Bingling Temple Grottoes. The price for a small speedboat is approximately 80 yuan per person.
Land Transport
- By Car: Drive to the Xiangyang Dock Visitor Service Center via Huanhu Bei Road from Yongjing County town. The total distance is about 11.86 kilometers.
- By Public Transport: Take a coach from Lanzhou West Bus Station to Liujiaxia, and then transfer to a bus or taxi.
- Taxi: From Yongjing County town to Bingling Temple, the starting fare is 5 yuan.
Best Time to Visit Bingling Temple
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Bingling Temple. In spring, the temperature at Bingling Temple warms up, and the weather is very pleasant, making it suitable for outdoor travel. In autumn, the sky is high and the air is crisp, with a suitable climate. Additionally, Lanzhou in Gansu is known as the “Hometown of Melons and Fruits.” When traveling to Lanzhou during this time, you can enjoy the sweet fruits there.
Helpful Travel Tips
- Mind the weather: The local temperature for sightseeing is basically not much different from that in Lanzhou, so you can just refer to Lanzhou’s weather.
- Items not allowed: Backpacks, cameras, selfie sticks, camcorders, and other such items are not allowed inside the grottoes for sightseeing.
- Dress comfortably: The terrain of Bingling Stone Forest is complex. It is best to wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Photography tips: Telephoto lens is better for photography in Bingling Temple. The cliff face of Bingling Temple grottoes faces east. In the afternoon, the backlight creates shade, which makes it a better time for sightseeing with more natural lighting.
Attractions Nearby Bingling Temple Grottoes
- Liujiaxia Reservoir: Located in a plateau gorge, the Liujiaxia Reservoir is known as the “Pearl of the Plateau” and offers spectacular scenery.
- Gansu Provincial Museum: The Museum is one of the well-known provincial museums in China. The museum houses over 100,000 historical relics, ethnic artifacts, and natural specimens.
