Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves is located on the Small Jishi Hill, about 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) west of Yongjing County in Lanzhou City. Being one of the very noted four caves in China, it is the second to Mogao Caves in respect of artistic value.
Bingling means 'ten thousand Buddhas' in the Tibetan language. The starting construction time of Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves dates back to the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316). In the following dynasties, the caves had been excavated many times. Among the caves, the main characters are Sakyamuni, Kwan-yin, Amitayus Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and other Buddhas. With elegant postures, flying robes and ribbons, the statues are life-like. Among the caves, Cave No.169 is worthy of a particular mention. Made in the Northern Dynasties (386-581), it is the most imposing and delicate one which holds the clay sculptures of Kwan-yin, Dali Buddha (Dali means powerful strength in Chinese), etc. Dali Buddha has a round face, sitting with legs crossed. When we see this sculpture we will feel its expression as being very solemn. On its two sides stands Bodhisattvas with their hair bound, waving bare arms.
The ride from Lanzhou is pleasurable with vast corn fields, improbably fertile soil among riverbeds and distinctive red-caly banks carved by the incessant river current.
There are 183 grotto niches displaying 679 stone figues and 82 caly figures in addition to more than 900 square meters of murals. The highest statue is 27 meters while the smallest one is only 20 centimeters.
Construction on the first of the 183 caves began in 366 AD and continued for a thousand year. Most of them were carved during the Tang Dynasty.
The colors present us vivid Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. Cave No.125, which holds the stone sculpture of Sakyamuni, is also one not to be missed.
The stone sculptures in Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves represent the social situations and customs during ancient times. In the vicinity of the caves are green hills, crystal water, grotesque stones and precipitous cliffs, which adds more beauty to this artistic site.
After the founding of People's Republic of China, the State Council designated the site as a key cultural relic, and placed it under state protection.
Tips: From Lanzhou to Yongjing County, you can go there by expressway (around one hour). Then you can get to Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves by yacht (the only way to go there and back).
Admission Fee: CNY 50
Opening Hours: 09:10 to 11:30 in the morning, 14:40 to 17:30 in the afternoon, from Tuesday to Saturday
Recommended Time
for a Visit: One day
Bus Route: Take bus from Lanzhou to Liujiaxia Reservoir, then transfer to barge.