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Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes

Write: Tricia [2011-05-23]

Mogao Grottoes, also known as Thousand Buddha Grottoes, is located on the eastern slope of Echoing-Sand Mountain, 25 kilometers (15.5miles) from downtown Dunhuang County in Gansu Province. It is one of three noted grottoes in China and also the largest, best preserved and richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world. "Mogao" means high up in the desert in Chinese. It is now protected as a National Key Cultural Relics Protected Unit, and in 1987 it was listed among the ranks of World Cultural Heritage Sites.

The history

According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk named Yue Seng had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he chiseled the first cave here in 366, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The endeavor continued through later dynasties, resulting in the fantastic group of grottoes that can be seen today.

Dating back to the Han Dynasty, the caves contain Buddhist sculpture and murals from ten dynasties ending with the Tang. After the Tang Dynasty, the heyday of Dunhuang Mogao Buddhist art, the local economy around Dunhuang went into decline and production of Buddhist art lessened dramatically. Mogao Grottoes are commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves.

What to appreciate

Today in the Mogao Grottoes, 492 grottoes still stand, containing some 2,100 colored statues and 45,000 square meters of murals. Quietly going from grotto t o grotto and seeing the exquisite artistry that the devout pilgrims of the past instilled into the barren site.

The grottoes

The grottoes vary in sizes, with 37 being the smallest and 16 the largest covering each an area of 268 square meters. 96 grottoes are as high as 40 meters in 9 tiers extending from the foot to the top of the mountain. The smallest one just allows a head's space.

The statues

The colored statues also differ in size, ranging from a few centimeters to 33 meters high, embodying the remarkable imagination of their makers. These Buddhist statues were generally constructed with terracotta and then covered with a carvable plaster surface that is painted after being carved. Cave number 17 is particularly famous for its hoard of buddhist scriptures and artwork.

The murals

The murals are definitedly the big draw at the grottoes. The murals are so important as an historic record that scholars have dubbed them as "mounted library." Some are Buddhist scriptures and sutras, while others illustrate the different ethnicities that passed through Dunhuang.

  • Stupendous area
    These grottoes contain 45,000 square meters of murals, which if joined together, would cover a length of 30 kilometers.
  • Be in good condition
    In spite of the erosion caused by wind and drifting sand for some thousand years, the murals still keep their bright colors and are clearly discernible.
  • Various styles and themes
    These murals were created with layers of cement and clay and then painted. The various dynasties each feature different styles and themes, and there is great deal of variety in the content of the frescoes, although themes typically revolve around Buddha images.
  • Identical theme
    Through murals of different styles and schools drawn in different historical periods, they tell Buddhist stories and ways as well as life in the secular world. The murals cover the illustrations of Buddhist sutra, Jataka, venerable images, Donors etc. The illustrations of Buddhist sutra make up the major part of the murals. Jataka is that of Buddhism, while the images are those of Buddhas, Bodhisattra, Lokapala, Vijrapani etc.

The value of the Mogao Grottoes

The colored statues and the murals in Mogao Grottoes came into being at the same time. The ensuing thousand years witnessed their recreation, perfection as well as absorption of the merits of western ancient arts from India, Greece, and Iran on the national basis. It has become a brilliant pearl in the Chinese art treasures.

A largest quantity of Buddhist sutras, wonderful murals and relics kept in the grottoes have provided valuable material for a study of ancient China's politics, economy, and culture and arts, as well as its science and technology, military affairs, and religion, documenting national history as well as cultural exchanges between China and the world.

Surrounding attractions

Around the Mogao Grottoes, many attractions scatter. These spots offer incredible charm to tourists home and abroad.

The Echong-Sand Mountain

West of the grottoes and south of Dunhuang is Echoing-Sand Mountain, which means "singing sand mountain," though it is not really a mountain, but a giant sand dune. If you are looking for some excitement after the solemn grottoes, this place is to be. Sand-surfing, camel rides and therapeutic sand baths (imagine being buried up to your neck) are available activities.

The Crescent Spring

Looking like a blue crescent moon enchasing in the desert, it gets the beautiful name "Crescent Spring." Having been lying among these sand dunes for thousands of years, although given many surprise attacks by sandstorms, Crescent Spring still gurgles clear, and still remains worthy as the first spring in the desert. It forms an oasis in the desert's edge.

What to taste

Like most cuisines in west China, the food in Dunhuang is spicy. Saizi mian (Saozi noodles)
Locals like to serve guests a special wheat noodles called "Saizi mian" (Saozi noodles) - it is very tasty.
Dunhuang huangmian
"Dunhuang huangmian" is another delectable noodle dish; the thin long noodles are added to a broth then topped with vegetables. Pao'er yougao
"Pao'er yougao" is a delicious cake snack favored.
Dunhuang banquets
Dunhuang banquets are appetizing great food and rousing entertainment.

Souvenirs

The best souvenirs in Dunhuang are the replicas of murals, paintings and calligraphy fond at the grottoes. Dunhuang rugs are colorful and durable, and they make great gifts. Replica statues made from clay are worth to buy. For something truly unique, try a stuffed cloth camel.

Something to remind you

The caves are open from 8:10a.m. to 18:00p.m., but as your ticket requires a guide, it is best not to get to the caves between 10a.m. to 14p.m. when guides are scarce. If you'd like to head out in the afternoon, you may plan on getting there around two o'clock. Before there aren't any guides available.

How to get there

The caves are 30 minutes by bus from Dunhuang (about 25km away). Minibuses which leave from various hotels in Dunhuang are available. You can also hire a minibus yourself for the trip.

When to visit

  • Opening Hours: 8:10a.m. - 18:00p.m.
  • Recommended Time for a Visit: Half a day