Kizil Caves, Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, China.

The Kizil Caves are 236 numbered cave temples cut into a cliff on the northern bank of the Muzat River in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, 65 km west of Kucha. Openings run in tiers along roughly 2 km of rock, many framed by mud-brick or stone fronts with wooden balconies, walkways and staircases; higher caves are recessed directly into the stone. About two-thirds are monks' cells without paintings.

The caves were carved from the 3rd century CE, with the earliest dated to around 300, and most were abandoned around the start of the 8th century after Tang influence reached the area. The complex served the Tocharian kingdom of Kucha, where the Sarvastivadin school of Hinayana Buddhism prevailed. In 2014 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor.

The murals earned Kizil the name "Sea of Stories": over a hundred Jataka tales and more than sixty episodes from the Buddha's life are painted here. Ceilings of the central-pillar caves carry diamond-shaped panels, and repainted walls show two or three layers from successive periods.

The caves are cut into the cliff on the northern bank of the Muzat River, about 65 km west of Kucha in Baicheng County. The numbered caves run east to west along roughly 2 km of rock, and the site is divided into four zones: west of the valley, inside the valley, east of the valley and the rear hill. Many caves are reached by narrow walkways and stairs on the cliff face, so expect uneven footing.

The caves use abundant blue pigments, some made from precious lapis lazuli sourced from Afghanistan, revealing deep trading connections. These rare materials tell of distant cultural contacts along the Silk Road.