[2025 Turpan Attraction] Travel Guide for Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (Updated Jun)

One-day tour guide to Turpan For a one-day tour to Turpan, you can choose to drive yourself or join a tour group. In one day, you can visit Flame Mountain, Grape Valley, the ancient city, and the Thousand Buddha Caves. First stop Jiaohe Ancient City, an ancient capital city built in the 2nd century AD. It's hard to imagine that a city built with adobe more than 2,000 years ago still stands today, and we can still see its appearance. The layout and scale of the ancient city can still be clearly seen on the remaining foundation. The existing buildings were mostly built during the Tang Dynasty. The old city has three gates. Second stop Flame Mountain, also known as Red Stone Mountain, is located in the northern part of the Turpan Basin in Xinjiang. It is a must-visit place on the ancient Silk Road, and also the location of Flame Mountain in the novel "Journey to the West." Since then, Flame Mountain has become the name of this mountain range. Third stop Grape Valley, located in the northeast of Turpan City, about 30 minutes by car. Grape Valley, as its name suggests, was originally a village that lived on grape production. Now it has become a Grape Valley Folk Culture and Scenic Area, covering an area of more than 20,000 mu, and is a large grape-producing area. Grape Valley combines Uyghur folk villages, grape scenic areas, and various cultural gardens. Fourth stop Thousand Buddha Caves, located in the Flame Mountain area of Turpan City, Xinjiang, on the cliff of Mudugou. There are 83 caves in the Thousand Buddha Caves, of which only 57 remain. There are also more than 40 caves with murals inside, with a total area of more than 1,200 square meters.

#celebrateit The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, situated in Turpan, Xinjiang, are a remarkable group of Buddhist caves carved into the cliffs of a ravine in China. These grottoes were created between the 5th and 13th centuries, showcasing the significant influence of Central Asian Buddhism within Xinjiang. Despite the damage and removal of many murals and statues during the 20th century(Yes, many great murals were brutally taken by westerners), the remaining artwork in these Buddhist caves offers valuable insight into the vibrant Buddhist culture that once thrived in Xinjiang.

#getgoing2025 The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves in Turpan, Xinjiang, are a jaw-dropping gem that will leave you in awe 😍. These ancient caves, carved into the cliffs of the Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountains, are home to over 40 grottos filled with vibrant Buddhist murals that date back from the 5th to 14th centuries. Trust me, the colors and artistry are just mind-blowing! 🎨🖼 Key features? The detailed paintings of Buddhas and religious scenes transport you to another time. The cliffside location adds a dramatic flair that makes you feel like you're discovering a hidden treasure 🏞🔍. Don't miss capturing these moments—your camera roll will thank you 📸. Visitor tips: Visit between May and October for the best weather 🌞, and allow yourself a good 1-2 hours to explore ⏳. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be doing some walking 👟, and bring plenty of water 💧. Having some cash handy for any local snacks or souvenirs is always a good idea 💵. This place is perfect for history buffs and adventure seekers alike 🧗♂️🏺. The serene beauty combined with the cultural richness makes it an unforgettable stop on any travel itinerary 🌟. Go experience it for yourself! 🌟 #TravelDiaries #BezeklikCaves #TurpanAdventures P.S. Keep an eye out for those dramatic murals—they're absolutely insta-worthy! 📷✨

I came here 7 years ago, but it was too late and the caves were closed. I have regretted not being able to visit them ever since. 🗿Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is said to be the second largest grottoes in Xinjiang (the largest is Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves). It is located in Turpan. Like Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, it was looted by foreign powers, and most of the exquisite Buddha statues and murals were taken abroad, especially to Germany. ⚔️The Buddhist grottoes in Xinjiang have suffered two major disasters. The first was the spread of Islam. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves was destroyed in religious wars and became ruins. The second was in the early 20th century, when foreign "explorers" came to Turpan in the name of archaeology and looted Buddha statues and murals. 🔮Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is an important part of China's grotto art. In addition to murals of Chinese Buddhism, there are also precious murals of Manichaeism. 🎫Ticket: CNY 40 per person 📍Address: At the foot of Flaming Mountain, 45 km east of Gaochang District, Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 🕥Opening hours: 9:30–17:00

#traveldiaries This is Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and it is one of the top tourist spot in Turpan. What can I say? Honestly, it is quite sad to see how severely damaged these precious painting and murals of different Buddhas. Though the paintings are mostly damaged you could still see and imagine how grand and beautiful they used to be. The location is beautiful nestled in the middle of the desert and a river. I have found a deeper appreciation to all three archeologists who have found this place and their efforts to still preserve what is left after everything was looted . Not all the caves are open just to set your expectations straight. Apparently, this cave represents the start of Buddhism in China. If you are in Turpan and if you have an extra time, I can recommend to visit this place. Length of visit: 30 minutes- 1 hour is enough Ticket price: 40 rmb. How to get there: we just rented a car and a driver for the entire day to visit different tourist spots in Turpan. The price depends in how long and how far are you going that day. Enjoy 😊 #historicallandmarks #scenicspotguide #china #chinatrip #chinatravel #xinjiang

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are a religious Buddhist site that was built and used between the 4th and 14th century. The setting is breathtaking. Between the Mountain and the river you have great photo opportunities. Unfortunately the cave themselves are a sad sight. In the beginning of the 20th century the statues and mosaics where taken and now can be viewed in Berlin, and other places. What remains are empty caves with broken paintings and a faint memory of what was there. I still enjoyed the visit and gained a better perspective of what many archaeologist have done to previously beautiful sights.

There are 83 caves in Bezeklik, 57 of which still exist. More than 40 of them have murals, covering a total area of 1,200 square meters. The murals include Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Heavenly King, as well as Dharma, Sutra, Donor, Landscape, Flower and Bird, and Decorative Pattern.

2024.9.30 Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, located on the cliff on the west bank of the Mutougou River Valley in the middle section of Flaming Mountain, about 45 kilometers east of Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the most abundant cave and mural content in the existing grottoes in Turpan, and it is also one of the larger Buddhist grotto temples in Xinjiang. Historical evolution ‌Excavation time‌: It was excavated in the late Northern and Southern Dynasties, and experienced the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Yuan Dynasties for a long period of seven centuries. ‌Prosperous period‌: The period of Gaochang Huihu was the most prosperous stage of the grotto group. It was once the royal temple of Gaochang King. ‌Decline and destruction‌: At the end of the 13th century AD, with the eastward migration of the Gaochang royal family to Yongchang, Gansu, and the introduction of Islam into Turpan, Buddhism gradually declined, and the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves also declined and were destroyed in the conflict of heterodoxy. In addition, at the beginning of this century, it was repeatedly looted and destroyed by powers such as Russia, Germany, Britain, and Japan, which further aggravated its damage. Caves and murals ‌Number of caves‌: There were originally 83 caves, 57 of which are now in existence, and more than 40 of them have murals. ‌Mural content‌: The total area of ​​the murals is 1,200 square meters, and the content is extremely rich, including the story of "The Buddha's Life Change" centered on large standing Buddha images, Buddhist story paintings, marriage story paintings, and thousands of Buddha statues, etc., aiming to praise the Dharma and provide good men and women for worship. ‌Characteristic caves‌: ‌No. 17 and 18 caves‌: Excavated in the 6th to 7th centuries AD, they are the earliest excavated caves in the grotto group. ‌No. 16 cave‌: Excavated in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, there is a "Ji Le Tu" in the cave, and the ancient musical instrument Xiao Hulei (Dragon Head Pipa) appeared for the first time in the picture. ‌No. 20 cave‌: The murals depict the images of Gaochang Huihu King and Queen, with bright colors, smooth lines, and exquisite painting. ‌No. 33 cave‌: There is a tribute map on the back wall that shows the disciples mourning after the Buddha's Nirvana. ‌No. 38 cave‌: The murals reflect the life scenes of ancient Manichaeism. ‌No. 82 and 83 caves‌: They are small memorial caves built specifically for high monks in Buddhist temples. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is not only a large-scale Buddhist art treasure house, but also carries rich historical and cultural information. There are still many ancient Huihu, Chinese, and Brahmi inscriptions in the cave, which are valuable materials for studying ancient characters. Despite the vicissitudes of life, the remaining Buddha seats are still gorgeous and exquisite, and the remaining murals are rich in content and colorful, showing the superb skills and profound cultural heritage of ancient artists. On February 23, 1982, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves was announced by the State Council as the second batch of national key cultural relics protection units.

Sometimes traveling to a place will trigger your strong desire to visit another tourist destination. The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is such a tourist attraction. The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are located at the foot of the Huoyan Mountain in Gaochang District, Turpan, and are scattered on the cliffs. It is as famous as the Dunhuang Grottoes because it preserves the richest Uighur-style murals and is a treasure of the world's Buddhist grotto art. Walking into the caves, what caught my eyes was actually the devastation. Looking at the incomplete murals remaining in the caves, I could imagine how lifelike it was at that time, which also inspired my desire to visit the Berlin Museum💕. #XinjiangTourism #BeautifulXinjiang

Where the Paintings Are On the outskirts of Turpan, the Bezeklik Caves house a super interesting - though greatly damaged - set of caves that are home to paintings of highly artistic and religious artwork. They're hidden within one of the valleys of the Flaming Mountains, and are said to mark the beginning of Buddhism in China. Today there are said to be around 70+ grottoes but only just over half still have their original murals. At the time of our visit, we could only enter a handful of caves, the others were all locked up, but what we did manage to see was super interesting, and if you're in the area it is well worth the detour and can still give you a glimpse into what the past, precious artwork woulld have been like back in the day. Find it: Bezeklik Caves, Flaming Mountain Area, Gaochang District, Turpan #momentsmission

Today's Thousand Buddha Caves reveal a mystery in the low-key. On the periphery of the cave, Buddha statues of various sizes are arranged in order, and the temples piled up in mud are faintly visible. The remnants of the ruin are still showing the glory of being a Buddhist center. One side of the Thousand Buddha Cave faces a steep cliff, so the sinister environment adds a lot of legendary colors. If you want to enter the grotto, you need to climb up the stone steps and pass through the ruins of Gaochangs back to the kings temple until you reach the mouth of the first cave. The exhaustion that arises when climbing upwards will be extinguished as soon as it enters the cave of the 18th. After the heartbeat gradually became flat, and the eyes also adapted to the darkness inside the cave, the incredible rich content inside the cave was presented in turn. This central pillar-shaped cave has the oldest murals in the entire grotto. The upper part and the top of the tunnel completely preserve the contents of the early murals. On both sides of the wall, there are thousands of Buddhas with round necks and shoulders, and the hands are held in front of the abdomen, with meticulous details. Lifelike expressiveness is breathtaking.