Visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and experience the charm of 'China's second Dunhuang'

Located in Baicheng County, Aksu, Xinjiang, the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves are backed by the Mingwutag Mountain and face the Weigan River to the south, also known as the Kizil Grottoes or the Hezier Grottoes. The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves have a very high artistic component, bringing together caves, sculptures, and murals to form a unique Kucha style. It predates the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang by 300 years, with the grottoes beginning to be carved at the end of the 3rd century to the early 4th century. Equally famous as the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, it is known as 'China's second Dunhuang'. The grotto complex stretches for 3 kilometers, with a total of 251 caves, 236 of which are numbered, 135 are relatively complete, and 80 retain murals, with about 10,000 square meters of murals preserved. The content of the murals is very rich, with scenes of farming, hunting, music and dance, etc., all vividly displayed. In front of the caves' plaza, there is also a black statue, which is of the famous translator of Chinese Buddhism from Kucha, Kumarajiva. Books we are familiar with, such as the 'Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra', were translated by him. The scenic area's services are very user-friendly, with visitors grouped in tens and a guide specially arranged to take you on a tour, allowing you to better appreciate the charm of the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.