Mogao Caves, Buddhist cave complex in Dunhuang, China
The Mogao Caves feature 735 caves spread across 1700 meters of cliff face, containing 45,000 square meters of murals and over 3,000 painted sculptures.
Buddhist monks began carving these caves in 366 CE, with continuous development through multiple Chinese dynasties until the Yuan period in the 14th century.
The caves exhibit Chinese Buddhist art from various periods, incorporating influences from India, Central Asia, and other regions along the Silk Road.
The caves maintain different opening hours between summer and winter, with guided tours available in multiple languages and advanced booking required for visits.
Cave 17 holds the Library Cave, discovered in 1900, containing 50,000 manuscripts, textiles, and artifacts dating from the 5th to 11th centuries.
Location: Gansu
GPS coordinates: 40.03722,94.80417
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:49
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