Turpan Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: A Journey Through Xinjiang’s Hidden Treasures
In the distant northwest region, there is a mysterious place known as the Flaming Mountains. It’s where an ancient site spanning a thousand years exists —the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves in Turpan, a must-visit attraction for Xinjiang tour. The cave is renowned for its unique geographical location and rich historical and cultural heritage.
The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are located at the foot of the Flaming Mountains in Turpan, Xinjiang, a famous scenic spot in China Silk Road tour, carved into the cliff. Historically, there were 83 caves, of which 57 still exist today. More than 40 of these caves are adorned with murals, covering a total area of 1,200 square meters. The cave is one complex with the most caves and the richest mural content in Turpan.
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves Facts
- Type: Grottoes, Murals, Historical site
- Best Seasons: May to September
- Recommended Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
- Opening Hours: 09:30-19:00
- Tickets: CNY 40
- Address: Flaming Mountain Area, Gaochang District, Turpan
The History of Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
As one of the most important hub on the Silk Road, Turpan witnesses the integration of diverse cultures led by trade and cultural exchanges. The murals of the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves in Turpan blend the styles of Kucha and Central Plains murals, creating a Uighur style mural that features multiculturalism and rendering them a brilliant treasure along the Silk Road travel.
Located in the Flaming Mountains Gorge, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is about 40 kilometers northeast of the urban area of Turpan. It is renowned alongside the Kucha Caves, Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Yungang Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes, and India’s Ajanta Caves. Used to be a royal temple during the Uighur period of the Gaochang Kingdom, the cave is considered a treasure of world Buddhist cave art along the line of the Silk Road tour in China.
The Shape of Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
The Turpan Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves began to take shape in the late Northern and Southern Dynasties. Going through seven centuries including Tang dynasities, the Five Dynasties, Song dynasties, and Yuan dynasties, they have always been the Buddhist center of the Gaochang region.
Judged from the shape of the caves, the content of the murals, and the painting style, they can be roughly divided into three period, namely, the Ju Shi Gaochang period (AD 499-640), the Tang Xizhou period (AD 640-792), and the Uighur Gaochang period (AD 840-1283).
Among the three periods, the Uighur Gaochang period saw the most prosperous cave complex. The level of painting art during this period was quite exquisite, with rich colors, gorgeous decorations, and mature and perfect techniques. The most representative are the murals of the Buddha’s life stories on both sides of the tunnel of the caves, which are up to two meters high.
The Fall of Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
However, at the end of the 13th century, the Gaochang royal family migrated eastward to Yongchang in Gansu. Plus the introduction of Islam into Turpan, Buddhism then gradually declined, so as the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. The religious conflicts also cause damages to the caves, with the eyes of all the mural figures being destroyed.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, expedition teams from Russia, Germany, England, Japan, and other countries entered Turpan plundered a large number of murals and cultural relics under the guise of archaeology. A significant number of murals from the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves were cut out by these expedition teams and transported abroad in batches. Currently, these murals are housed in museums in Germany, Russia, England, Japan, South Korea, and other countries.
How to Get to Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
The site is located 45 kilometers away from the city center. Chartering a car will be convenient. A Santana can be hired for 300 yuan per day, with a one-way trip costing approximately CNY70 per car. You can also share the ride with other tourists to cut the cost during Turpan tour.
Alternatively, you can take a bus from the Turpan Bus Station to Shanshan or Sanbao Township and get off at Shengjinkou. Then, transfer to a local passenger tricycle or hitch a ride to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (CNY5 per person from Turpan to Shengjinkou, and CNY6 per car from Shengjinkou to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves).
What to Do and See in Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
In 1980, archaeologists conducted excavations and cleaning at the Bezeklik Caves, unearthing a large number of cultural relics including Buddha statues, silk textiles, paper paintings, and wooden components.
More than 800 documents were discovered back then, demonstrating extremely rich content, including texts in Chinese, Uighur, Sogdian, Tangut, and Brahmi scripts. These documents encompassed religious scriptures as well as Confucian classics, historical records, and official and private documents. All of which are worth a see in the Turpan trip!
Exploring the Mysterious Caves
The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are the caves with the most existing chambers and the richest mural content among the Gaochang caves. The cave structures are divided into three types: the central pillar structure, the rectangular longitudinal vault structure, and the domed structure with a surrounding corridor.
The art of cave construction scaled a high level at the Uighur Gaochang period. Some wooden structures reflect the integration of Central Plains architectural techniques with local and Kucha cultures. They serve as an important window for understanding the ancient Uighur society, culture, and art. Among them, the domed structure with a surrounding corridor is the most complete cave structure preserved in Xinjiang to this day.
Appreciating the Breath-taking Murals
A large number of precious murals is preserved in the Turpan Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Among the murals, the most famous are the “Jataka Tales” story paintings centered around large standing Buddha portraits, Buddhist story paintings, karmic story paintings, and thousands of Buddha images.
The content of these murals is rich and diverse, depicting not only the life of Buddha but also the stories from Buddhist scriptures and the life scenes of Buddhist disciples. They represent not only masterpieces of artistic creation but also a praise of the Dharma and teachings for the believers.
Enjoy The Cultural Feast in The China Silk Road Tour
Harking back to the 5th century, these ancient grottoes were once a bustling hub of Buddhist culture. Much of this artistic and spiritual heritage is disseminated via the Silk Road by itinerant monks journeying between China and India.
For those embarking on a Xinjiang tour or a Silk Road tour, these caves offer a profound glimpse into the past. The preservation of these artistic Turpan treasures provides a vivid window into the historical significance of the Silk Road, illustrating the far-reaching impact of this ancient network of trade and dialogue.
