Until its discovery in 1900, there was a World Heritage site that had been forgotten for over 500 years and slept in the desert. This is the World Heritage site called "Mogao Caves" in the city of Dunhuang, China. Many murals and Buddhist statues are enshrined in the Mogao Caves, reflecting the faith of Chinese Buddhism in ancient times.
Dunhuang has flourished as an oasis city in the desert, a key point on the Silk Road since ancient times. All religions and cultures from the Western Regions spread to China through Dunhuang. Dunhuang was a base for the propagation of Buddhism in China, and the Mogao Caves were where monks from various countries devoted themselves to studying Buddhist scriptures and spreading the teachings.
In 1900, countless grottoes carved into the desert cliffs were discovered, revealing vividly colored murals and statues of Buddha inside. Let me introduce the treasure of Buddhist art awakened from a long slumber, the World Heritage Site “Mogao Caves”!
What are the Mogao Caves?
Registered as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the “Mogao Caves” are a stone cave complex said to be a treasure house of Chinese Buddhist art, located about 25 km southeast of Dunhuang in Gansu Province, on the eastern slope of Mingsha Mountain, which once prospered as the gateway to the Silk Road. The Mogao Caves are said to have begun in 366 AD when a Buddhist monk named Le Zun envisioned a thousand golden Buddhas and began carving caves to practice. Construction then continued for 1,000 years across ten dynasties, from the Sixteen Kingdoms period (4th century) to the Yuan Dynasty (14th century).
The vast amount of scriptures, ancient documents, and Buddhist paintings discovered in the Mogao Caves in 1900 are collectively called the “Dunhuang Manuscripts,” and this precious discovery brought the Mogao Caves to worldwide attention.
The southern area of the caves, stretching 1,700 meters north to south, was used for Buddhist worship, while the northern area was for monastic living. Today, 735 caves contain 2,415 statues, and the cave interiors are decorated with a total of 45,000 m² of beautifully painted, intricate murals. The novelist Yasushi Inoue praised the beauty of this World Heritage Site as “a great gallery in the desert.”
Early statues and murals were heavily influenced by Indian Buddhist art. The designs of the statues and murals, as well as the materials used, differ depending on the era, making it a World Heritage Site where you can feel the history of Chinese Buddhist art.
Furthermore, the Mogao Caves are one of the few World Heritage Sites that meet all six criteria for UNESCO cultural heritage. Other examples include “Venice and its Lagoon” in Italy and “Mount Tai” in China. In addition, the Mogao Caves are counted among the three great grottoes of China, alongside the “Yungang Grottoes” and the “Longmen Grottoes,” both also World Heritage Sites.
Name: Mogao Caves
Address: Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, China
Official / Related Site URL: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/440
Access to the Mogao Caves
If traveling via Beijing, it takes about 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes from Narita, Haneda, or Chubu Centrair International Airport to Beijing. From Beijing to Dunhuang, it is about 3 hours 30 minutes by plane. Via Xi’an, it takes about 7 hours by plane from Narita to Xi’an, and about 2 hours 30 minutes from Xi’an to Dunhuang.
From Dunhuang to the Mogao Caves, you can take a bus departing from within Dunhuang City. It takes about 20 minutes by car.
Recommended Spot at the Mogao Caves ①: Cave 96
The representative spot of the World Heritage “Mogao Caves” is the Nine-Story Pagoda at Cave 96. Built on the cliffs of Mingsha Mountain, the current appearance of Cave 96, with its nine-story red wooden pavilion at the entrance, was constructed between 1928 and 1935. The first seven levels from the bottom are eaves, while the top two levels are designed like roofs. The cave was built in 695 AD during the Tang Dynasty by Empress Wu Zetian, who is said to have been a devout Buddhist.
Inside the cave is the tallest statue in the Mogao Caves, the Maitreya Bodhisattva, about 33 meters high, where many visitors come to pray. The Maitreya Bodhisattva is also called the “Northern Great Buddha.” The presence of the gigantic statue in the narrow cave makes its impact even more powerful. When touring the Mogao Caves, Cave 96 is a must-see!
Recommended Point of the Mogao Caves ②: Buddhist Statues
One of the highlights of the Mogao Caves is its more than 2,000 Buddhist statues. The term “Buddhist statue” covers a wide variety, including Bodhisattvas and Vajra Guardians. Furthermore, the sizes of these statues also vary greatly. Some are as large as 30 meters, while others are as small as 2 centimeters.
The expressions and poses of the statues also differ depending on the era in which they were created. Early statues were strongly influenced by India and the West, resulting in more defined and expressive facial features. As time went on, the expressions became softer and the forms more serene. You can truly observe the transition of Chinese Buddhism through these works.
Because the Mogao Caves were created over a span of many centuries, you can enjoy the differences in statues from era to era, which is part of what makes this World Heritage Site so fascinating.
Recommended Point of the Mogao Caves ③: Murals
In this region where a vast desert stretches as far as the eye can see, the vivid murals of the Mogao Caves feel even more strikingly beautiful. The Buddhist murals of the Mogao Caves were created by first applying plaster, then painting with pigments. This fresco technique depicts Buddhist stories, scenic landscapes, and scenes of daily life. The variety of mural themes makes exploring them particularly enjoyable.
Like the statues, the murals also reflect the influences of the Middle East and other regions depending on the era. Being able to visually trace the evolution of Chinese art is one of the Mogao Caves’ great charms. This World Heritage Site has preserved immense artistic value in ancient Chinese art, and its colorful murals are a must-see.
Notes About Visiting the Mogao Caves
Dunhuang has an extreme climate, with summer temperatures exceeding 40°C and winter temperatures dropping to -30°C. The best seasons to visit are April, May, and September.
Visiting the Mogao Caves requires advance reservations. You must purchase a timed entry ticket in advance online or at the city ticket center. After watching an introductory video about the Mogao Caves at the Digital Exhibition Center near Dunhuang Station, visitors take a shuttle bus to the caves.
Please note that guided tours are mandatory for visiting the Mogao Caves.
◎ Summary
China’s World Heritage Site “Mogao Caves” is a grand, vividly colored Buddhist complex that appears amidst the monochrome desert. Its beauty inspires a sense of wonder and romance.
This rare World Heritage Site, built over a period of 1,000 years, is surely a place you will want to visit at least once.
Take your time to listen to the detailed explanations of the local tours of the Mogao Caves and immerse yourself in 1,000 years of history.