Kizilgaha caves, Buddhist temple complex in Kuqa, China

The Kizilgaha Caves are a Buddhist cave-temple complex on cliffs northwest of Kuqa in Xinjiang, China. The site has 54 caves, 46 of them numbered, cut into a cliff face across an area 170 metres east-west and 300 metres north-south. The wall paintings date from the 5th century CE.

The Kizilgaha Caves were begun in the 5th century CE as part of the Buddhist cave temple complex of the ancient kingdom of Kucha, on the northern Silk Road. They belong with the Kizil, Kumtura, Simsim and Ah-ai grottoes to the Kucha cave group. The site is now a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The caves belong to the ancient Kucha kingdom's cave-temple network, alongside Kizil, Kumtura, Simsim and Ah-ai. Their wall paintings date from the 5th century CE. The Kizilgaha beacon tower (fengsui) stands nearby, so a visitor can see the Buddhist cave site and the beacon in one area northwest of Kuqa.

Access to the caves requires climbing stairs and walking designated pathways carved into and along the cliffs. Guided tours help visitors navigate the complex layout and understand the different sections and their features.

The site holds 54 caves, 46 of them numbered, cut into a cliff face across an area about 170 m wide and 300 m long. The Kizilgaha beacon tower stands nearby, and the caves are counted among the Kucha (Qiuci) cave temples together with Kizil, Kumtura, Simsim and Ah-ai.