Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

» Turpan, Xin Jiang

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

As Buddhism was the first religion from abroad introduced to this area, Xinjiang witnessed the earliest development of Buddhist cave art in China. Soon after the religion's establishment in the region, Turpan became the Buddhist center on the Silk Road owing to its geographic location. Among the Buddhist caves found in Turpan, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are considered most valuable. Bezeklik means "place where there are paintings" in the Uigur language.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are situated at the foot of Flaming Mountains lying east of Turpan city. Bezeklik means "place where there are paintings" in the Uygur language. At this place is also the Royal Temple of the King of Huigu, which was built by the Xizhou Huigu government of the Gaochang Kingdom.

The essential information on the caves

The location

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are complex of Buddhist cave grottos located between the cities of Turpan and Shanshan (Loulan) at the north-east of the Taklamakan Desert, near the ruins of Gaochang Ancient City. The caves are high on the cliffs of the west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountains.

The history

The chiseling work began during the Gaochang Kingdom Period from 499 to 640 while large constructions were conducted from the 6th century to the 14th century for around 800 years.

The scale

There were originally hundreds of such caves. Unfortunately this area is highly exposed to natural erosion, which have severely damaged quite a few of them. Now there are 83 caves in good condition 50 percent of which are decorated with murals. The total murals find here reach up to 1,200 square meters (12,917 square feet).

What to appreciate

The rounded arch ceiling

Most of the caves have rectangular spaces with rounded arch ceilings often divided into four sections, each with murals of Buddha. So the whole ceiling contains virtually hundreds of buddhas. Some larger fields contain a big buddha, surrounded by other figures and scenes, including Indians, Persians and Caucasians.

The striking murals

Now there are 83 caves in good condition 50 percent of which are decorated with murals. The total murals find here reach up to 1,200 square meters. The caves were palace temples of the Huihu Kingdom (Huihu was the ancestor of today's Uygur).

The features of the murals

The features of the murals of that period were greatly influenced by that of the Tang Dynasty. They have precise designs, distinctive lines and bright colors. The figures are simple, with round heads, elongated ears and puppet-like segmented bodies which are boldly outlined. The murals take us back to the ancient Huihu State, where we can see the King and Queen and people from all walks of life. The inscriptions, written in ancient Uygur, Chinese and other languages, provide authentic reference for valuable historic research.

The quality of the murals

The quality of the murals varies with some being artistically naive while others are masterpieces of religious art. As often with this kind of religious paintings, some are rather naive, others are artistically stunning, depending on the ability of the artist. Some faces show the individual characteristics and the inner feelings of the figures.

The most rare murals

The most exceptionally rare mural topics in Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are found in Caves No.16 and 17. Cave No.16 depicts a musician playing Xiao Hu Lei - a lute-like instrument originating from southern China's Yunnan Province. This strengthens the belief that cultural exchange between northern and southern China was unprecedented during Tang Dynasty. The mural Transformation in Hell in Cave No.17 supports the notion Huihu Gaochang was the center of Manicheism from 9 to 12 century. Buddhist disciples wailing in mourning and Bhikku wailing in mourning in Cave No.33 are also highly praised for their vivid depiction.

How to reach the caves

A steep stairway leads 10 meters up to a narrow and winding path to the cliff top. The caves were built along this path. Today there is a broad walkway which allows easy access to the caves.

Nearby attractions worthy visiting

After your visit to the caves, you may consider exploring the other nearby attractions.

• Astana Tombs, 12km (7.5 miles) from the caves
• Flaming Mountain, 13km (8.1 miles) from the caves
• Gaochang Ancient City, 15km (9.3 miles) from the caves

Something to remind you

There are some travel tips to remind you when you are visiting the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.

• As the Caves are located on the cliff, stay within the marked safe areas.
  
• To protect the murals for future enjoyment, visitors should refrain from touching the murals and artifacts.
  
• Smoking is strictly prohibited in the caves.

Attractions around » Turpan, Xin Jiang

Natural Scene

• Flaming Mountain
• Grape Valley
• Tuyugou Valley

Historical Site

• Jiaohe Ruins
• Sugong Pagoda
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Astana Tombs

Cultural Site

• Karez System
• Grape Valley

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves Highlights

Buddhism attraction highlights

• Mt. Emeishan
• Leshan Giant Buddha
• Mt. Lushan
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Mt. Wutaishan
• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Mt. Jiuhuashan
• Dazu Rock Carvings
• Dai Temple
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center

city highlights

• Dunhuang
• Dengfeng
• Luoyang
• Taishan
• Emeishan
• Leshan
• Shijiazhuang

Grottoes attraction highlights

• Mogao Grottoes
• Leshan Giant Buddha
• Longmen Grottoes
• Maijishan Grottoes
• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Binglingsi Grottoes
• Dazu Rock Carvings
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Yulin Grottoes

city highlights

• Dunhuang
• Luoyang
• Tianshui
• Leshan

Grottoes & Cave in Great China

• Mogao Grottoes
• Leshan Giant Buddha
• Longmen Grottoes
• Yungang Grottoes
• Maijishan Grottoes
• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Binglingsi Grottoes
• Huanglongdong Cave
• Fengyu Cave
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Black Dragon Cave
• Yulin Grottoes
• Nine Dragon Cave Scenic Area
• Nietang Buddha

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When is the best time to go?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?
2. Mind these customs and taboos

  Other Hints

1. A couple of notes for packing
2. A note on the time difference
3. Emergency Numbers
4. Useful Numbers

• When is the best time to go?

  The best time for visiting is between July and August when the fruit crops are ripe.

  Turpan is well-known for its high temperatures and is also called 'Huo Zhou' (a place as hot as fire). The city is located in Turpan Basin, the hottest as well as the lowest elevation in China; just 98 ft above sea level. The climate is dry, hot and windy with an average rainfall of only 0.9 inches per year. Because of its unique geographical position, the city enjoys very high temperature and very little precipitation. The summers here are long and usually begin in April and end in August. June, July and August are the hottest months with an average temperature above 38C (100.4F) and the recorded highest temperature is 49.6C (121.28F).

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• What are some interesting festivals?

  Grape Festival
  Turpan is renowned for the quality of the fruit grown here and the sweetness of the grapes. Just as the name implies, the grape is the subject of the festival which is held in August each year and lasts for a month. During the festival, you can feel the happiness of harvest in every corner of the city. The grapes of hundreds of varieties are ripe and hang on the vines, waiting for you to enjoy. Amongst them, the white grape without seeds is the favourite one and it is praised as the 'green pearl of China'. In addition to enjoying the sweet grapes you can take in traditional Uygur performances in the festival, such as the wedding ceremony of Uygur and the dancing performances in Tang Dynasty (618-907). Grape Valley is the best option for you to celebrate the festival.

  Eid al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking)
  This fast is one of the five pillars of Islam and Eid al Fitr is the first day after 30 days' fast. The festival is celebrated on the 1st of October according to the Moslem calendar, and lasts for three days. It is an important festival among the Moslems. On the first morning of the festival, people gather together in the mosque to pray. And then, they wear national costumes to call on their relatives and friends. During the festival, people will butcher fat stocks and cook some traditional snacks to satisfy their stomach.

  Eid al Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice)
  The festival is on 10th December according to the Moslem calendar and it is the last day for pilgrimage. In the early morning, all men go to mosque to pray. It is the most important divine service with a largest scale all year round. During the festival, each family should slaughter a sheep, a cow or a camel. And families and friends would gather together to sing and dance happily. Of course, they will also enjoy a sumptuous meal together. After the meal, they often visit the grave to honor the memory of ancestors

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• Mind these customs and taboos

  When traveling in Turpan, you should pay attention to Muslim customs and taboos in particular.
  
  
  • Do not poke the food in dishes or get close to the kitchen.
    
  • Never eat pork or talk about pigs when a Muslim is present.
    
  • Do not wear clothing that is short and too revealing.
    
  
  When receiving something, you should use both of your hands to show your thanks and respect to the host.
  
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• A couple of notes for packing

  1. Although the temperature is high in the day time, you should take a long sleeved shirt as temperatures here vary greatly between day and night.

  2. As the temperature is very high in the summer, it is necessary for you to take a hat, sunglasses and sun-bloc to avoid being burnt.

  3. If you are used to wearing contact lenses, please bring a pair of glasses with you due to the hot dry weather.

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• A note on the time difference

  Although the clock time in Xinjiang is the same as Beijing time, there is two hours difference because of the longitude. You should modify your rest and dinning times two hours later as compared with staying in the central part of China.

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• Emergency Numbers

  • Fire: 119
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Traffic: 122
    

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• Useful Numbers

  • Consumers Complaint Line of the Turpan Consumers' Association: 123154
    
  • Tour Complaints: 8523216
    
  • Time Inquiry: 117
    
  • Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
    
  • Weather Forecast: 121
    
  • Railway Inquiry: 8642233
    
  • Tourist Bureau of Turpan Region: 8523653 / 8523663
    
  • Tourist Bureau of Turpan City: 8520171.

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