The traveler finds the Mogao Caves, a shrine of Buddhist art treasures, 25 km (15.5miles) from downtown Dunhuang on the eastern slope of Mingsha Shan (Mount Echoing Sand). A network of plank reinforced roads plying north to south 1600 meters (5, 249 feet) long lead to the cave openings, which are stacked five stories high some reaching up to 50 meters (164 feet). By the way, Mogao means high up in the desert.
According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas.
Buddhist art has its origins in India. Mogao sculptors improvised where the rock surface did not work well under their chisels. They placed clay statues in front of the cave walls, carved relief murals as backdrops, and painted the sidewalls and ceilings with art decors. The largest statue is 34.5 meters (113 feet) high and the smallest a mere 2 centimeters (0.79inches) high.
The traveler will note traces of Indian Buddhist art in the earlier works. More recent works depict all walks of life and activities in a local setting. You will relive the daily routines and special events as captured by the artists while you are exploring the 750 caves. There are also ups and downs in the artistic quality over the centuries, depending on the fortunes of Buddhism with available art patronage. Artists in each dynasty painted with their distinctive palette. The visitor can tell the works in the Tang Dynasty from those in the Song Dynasty.
People believe it possible to fill 25 kilometers (15.5miles) of gallery space with the works of art from Mogao. There are 50,000 manuscripts written in many languages apart from artifacts. The Mogao Caves are a depository of historical and cultural exchanges over more than a thousand years between China and other nations.
Note:
For detailed information on Dynasties, please refer to History of China
| Admission Fee: | CNY 160 (May 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 80 (Nov.1 to Apr. 30) |
| Opening Hours: | 08:10 to 18:00 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit: | Half a day |
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Travelers' Voices on Mogao Caves
1.
May. 1,2009 00:24 Reply
Ms.Hilary Curran(Australia) said:
This looks like the most fascinating place ever that one could visit. I only wish I had the money to make the journey and have been telling any of my friends who are off to China that they should try to visit Mogao. It will not happen for me but I am going to tell my children (adults) that this is one place they should aim to visit in their lifetime.
2.
Feb. 11,2009 20:26 Reply
Mr.cavelover said:
The National Development and Reform Commission of China has invested over200 Million Yuan in the protection project of Mogao Caves. It is so far the largest project for the protection of Mogao Caves. It is said that digital technique will be adopted in this project. In particular, a digital exhibition hall will be set up so that visitors will be able to learn more about the history, geography, Buddhism and the art style of Dunhuang culture by viewing the High-definition digital images.Currently, there are 735 caves, over 2,000 painted sculptures and about 53,820 square yards of murals in Mogao Caves. In 1987, it was officially included into the list of the World Cultural Heritage.