[2025 Baicheng Attraction] Travel Guide for Kizil Caves (Updated Jul)

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Aksu in Xinjiang, China is a world-famous tourist resort city. Every day, thousands of tourists come here for sightseeing and vacation. There are many scenic spots in Aksu. This time I will introduce a famous local attraction: Kizil Grottoes. The Kizil Grottoes were located in the then Kucha area and are the shining pearl of Kucha Buddhist culture. Kizil Grottoes, also known as Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, are located on the cliff of Mingyutag Mountain, seven kilometers southeast of Kizil Township, Baicheng County, Xinjiang. Kizil Grottoes are the earliest and most western-located large-scale grottoes in China, and are a typical representative of the Qiuci Grottoes. It was excavated in the 3rd century AD and gradually abandoned around the 9th century. It is a period earlier than the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. There are 349 existing caves, 6 of which are open to the public. Five of them are used for mural exhibition, and one is the earliest monk's cave, which displays photos and inscriptions of the life of Mr. Han Leran, the first person to protect the Kizil Caves. It is open to the public mainly to commemorate Mr. Han Leran.

After leaving the Kuche Palace, we walked to the southern end of the Duku Highway. The mountains on both sides of the road were dry and cement-colored, as if dust would fly if you blew on them. After a while, my throat felt dry and I kept drinking water. After turning around several mountains, we suddenly saw a bright oasis in front of us and arrived at our destination. Walking through the lush green birch forest, looking into the “eyes” on the tree trunks, it feels like they are smiling as well. What are they smiling at? At the end of the woods, in the center of the square where you go up the mountain to view the grottoes, stands a giant statue. Looking up at the statue of Kumarajiva Buddha, I feel a different kind of handsomeness and power. The Kizil Grottoes were first excavated at the end of the 3rd century, 300 years earlier than the Mogao Grottoes. They were gradually abandoned after the 8th century. There are a total of 251 caves, but only 6 are open to the public. Once inside the cave, there are only small pieces of murals, most of which have been damaged. The tour guide spared no effort to describe the grand scene of the past. We, the audience, can only rely on our imagination to infer the whole picture from the details [Facepalm]. It is said that it was later tragically destroyed and even stolen by foreigners. I feel particularly heavy. Walking out of the cave, overlooking the square at the foot of the mountain, there is only this small oasis around. Looking further ahead, there is the Muzati River. The mountains beside the river are still dry and gray. Not even a river can moisten this land [Scowl]? The statue of Kumarajiva Buddha and the "eyes" on the poplar trees are all gazing at this land. The rivers and dry hills, the oasis and the grottoes are contradictory yet unified, and magically coexist between heaven and earth.

Kizil Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, are 300 years older than the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. There are a total of 251 caves, with 236 currently numbered, and about 10,000 square meters of murals inside. The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves began to be carved in the late 3rd century AD and gradually declined in the late 8th century. The art of the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves is a comprehensive art form that integrates caves, sculptures, and murals, forming a unique Kucha style. From this, one can glimpse the development, spread, and evolution of ancient Buddhist art in China. It holds special value for the study of Chinese Buddhist history, art history, art theory, and the social history of ancient Kucha. Kuqa, known as Kucha in ancient times, was an important town on the Silk Road. Although the Thousand Buddha Caves are not well-preserved, the remaining murals still show the exquisite craftsmanship of the time. History enthusiasts should not miss this place.