Bingling Temple

The Bingling Temple contains 183 caves and niches carved into cliff faces along the Yellow River, featuring 694 stone statues and 82 clay sculptures.

The temple construction began in 420 CE during the Western Qin dynasty and continued through multiple dynasties including Wei, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing.

The temple represents an intermediate point between the Buddha sculptures of Bamiyan in Afghanistan and the Buddhist grottoes found in central China.

Access to the temple requires boat transportation from Liujiaxia Reservoir during summer and fall months, as no roads lead directly to the site.

The temple complex features a 27-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue carved into the rock face, surrounded by numerous ancient Buddhist artworks and frescoes.

Location: Yongjing County

Part of: Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor

GPS coordinates: 35.81043,103.04834

Latest update: May 21, 2025 23:57