introduce

The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves were built in the 3rd to 4th centuries, or earlier; the heyday was in the 6th to 7th centuries; at the end of the 8th century, after Tubo occupied Kucha, it was gradually abandoned, and it took five or six hundred years to build one after another. .


There are 236 numbered caves in this Thousand Buddha Cave, and 135 caves are still in complete shape. Among them are the Zhiti Caves for monks to pay respect to Buddha statues and preach scriptures, and the Vihara Caves for monks to live in and sit in meditation. Among the Zhiti caves, there are caves with tall caves, open cave doors, and large statue caves with standing Buddhas on the front wall; there are caves with a central pillar with a rectangular main room and a tower pillar inside; and caves with more regular square caves.

The Vihara Grottoes, also known as the monk's house, are mostly living rooms and corridors, with simple living facilities such as stoves and kangs in the rooms. These caves of different types and uses are mostly built together regularly and combined into units. Judging from the arrangement, each unit may be a Buddhist temple. This kind of grotto structure and layout is relatively rare in grotto architecture in my country.

The statues and murals of the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves are all painted and molded in the Zhiti Cave. Although most of the statues have been destroyed, about 5,000 square meters of murals are still preserved. In addition, the themes reflecting Maitreya's sayings and monks practicing Zen also have a certain proportion.

Compared with other grottoes, the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves can be said to be a grotto temple that was built earlier and has a larger scale in my country. Its special cave shape, mural theme and artistic style deeply reflect the situation of Buddhism in Kucha, represent the cultural and artistic level of the Kucha nation, and are an important place for visiting and studying Buddhist culture and art.

opening hours

Year-round (winter) 10:00-18:00; year-round (summer) 09:30-19:00; specific business status is subject to the opening of the day

Preferential treatment policy

the disabled:Including disabled soldiers with a disability certificate, free of charge
elder:Over 70 years old with ID card, free; 60-69 years old with ID card, half price
child:Preschoolers, elementary school students and middle school students (with valid ID), free of charge
soldier:Active soldiers, public security officers (with valid certificates), free of charge
Tour leader and tour guide:Free with valid certificate
staff:With teacher qualification certificate, half price
reporter:With press card, half price
Students of colleges and universities:Half price with student ID

must see tips

This is not the same scenic spot as the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves in Baicheng County! Similar names but not the same attraction!