Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

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Bezeklik caves

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (Simplified Chinese:柏孜克里千佛洞; Hanyu Pinyin: Bózīkèlǐ Qiān Fó Dòng) are complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to the 9th centuries between the cities of Turpan and Shanshan (Loulan) at the north-east of the Taklamakan Desert near the ancient ruins of Gaochang in the Mutou Valley, a gorge in the Flaming Mountains, China.^[1] They are high on the cliffs of the west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountains.^[2]

There are 77 rock-cut caves at the site. Most have rectangular spaces with rounded arch ceilings often divided into four sections, each with a mural of Buddha. The effect is of entire ceiling covers with hundreds of Buddha murals. Some ceilings are painted with a large Buddha surrounded by other figures, including Indians, Persians and Caucasians. The quality of the murals vary with some being artistically naive while others are masterpieces of religious art.^[3]

View on caves	View on to the valley	Frescoes of Buddhas	Frescoes of Buddhas
A Uyghur prince	Uyghur Princes wearing Chinese-styled robes and headgears. Bezeklik, Cave 9, ca. 8th/9th century CE, wall painting. Located at the Museum für Indische Kunst, Berlin-Dahlem.	Uyghur princesses, cave 9, ca. 8-9th century CE, Museum für Asiatische Kunst	A possible European/or Iranic person and Asian trader (left) with an Asian buddhist monk