Kizilgaha Grottoes

Kizilgaha Grottoes

Kizilgaha grottoes are located in a gully 14 kilometers northwest of Kuqa County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. It is adjacent to kizilgaha Feng tunnel, 12 kilometers away from the county. It is surrounded by a gray wind erosion Yadan landform, few vegetation (only two elms planted by the guardian around), far away from people, and has no water and electricity.

brief introduction

In order to protect cultural relics, the Grottoes have not yet been officially opened to the public. Visitors need to be approved by the Xinjiang Qiuci Research Institute and led by staff.

Historical evolution

Built in the 5th century A.D., the grottoes are built on a cliff 170 meters wide from east to west and 300 meters long from north to south. There are 54 existing caves and 46 numbered caves, of which 39 are relatively complete and 13 have murals. According to the function, there are Zhiti grottoes, monk room grottoes, lecture hall, Zen grottoes, etc.; according to the shape of the cave roof, there are flat roof, voucher roof, dome roof, taodou roof, Fudou roof, etc. The existing 39 caves can be divided into five groups, each with various functions of worship, preaching, meditation and residence. There are more than 40 kinds of stories about Buddha and more than 20 kinds of stories about fate. There are also stories about Buddha and inscriptions in kuci. In its heyday, the murals in the grottoes display the painting method of "qutiepansi", with bright and gorgeous colors, natural postures of the characters and colorful costumes. Among them, the eight body flying Apsaras in cave 30 is the most famous.

Kizilgaha Grottoes is the nearest grotto temple to the ancient capital of kuizi state. It belongs to the national temple. It is an important part of kuizi grottoes and an important Buddhist cultural site on the "Silk Road". Among them, the lecture Grottoes have a unique style in Qiuci grottoes. Its rich painting style and rare inscription in Qiuci Grottoes have high historical, scientific and unique artistic value.

On June 25, 2001, as a cultural relic from the Northern Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty, kizilgaha Grottoes was approved by the State Council to be listed in the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units.

Address: 14km northwest of Kuqa County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Longitude: 82.925381

Latitude: 41.737456