Kizil Caves

One of China's four great Buddhist cave complexes, located more than 70 kilometres northwest of Kuqa, Kizil is the most important stop on any Kuqa itinerary.

The caves were first excavated in the 3rd century, at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. Between the 5th and 7th centuries they were at the height of their prosperity: at that time the Qiuci Kingdom had a population of over 100,000, and more than 10,000 monks practised in the Thousand Buddha Caves. By the 8th century, war and the arrival of other religions had silenced the sound of chisels carving the caves.

The caves are carved into the cliffs on the north bank of the Muzat River valley. There are 236 caves in total, of which 135 are relatively well preserved and 80 contain murals. This makes it the earliest and largest cave complex in China. The surviving murals cover more than 10,000 square metres and are the most precious treasure of the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. Because Qiuci followed Hinayana Buddhism, its murals differ in style from those of other regions, featuring the mysterious diamond-shaped patterns often seen here, which are said to be a hallmark of Qiuci cave art.