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Dunhuang Tour of
Mogao Caves
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The traveler finds the Mogao Caves, a shrine of Buddhist art
treasures, 25 km (15.5miles) from downtown
Dunhuang on the eastern
slope of Mingsha Shan (Mount Echoing Sand). A network of plank
reinforced roads plying north to south 1600 meters (5, 249 feet)
long lead to the cave openings, which are stacked five stories high
some reaching up to 50 meters (164 feet). By the way, Mogao means
high up in the desert.
According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a
vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus
inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten
dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand
Buddhas.
Buddhist art has its origins in India. Mogao sculptors improvised
where the rock surface did not work well under their chisels. They
placed clay statues in front of the cave walls, carved relief murals
as backdrops, and painted the sidewalls and ceilings with art
decors. The largest statue is 34.5 meters (113 feet) high and the
smallest a mere 2 centimeters (0.79inches) high.
The traveler will note traces of Indian Buddhist art in the earlier
works. More recent works depict all walks of life and activities in
a local setting. You will relive the daily routines and special
events as captured by the artists while you are exploring the 750
caves. There are also ups and downs in the artistic quality over the
centuries, depending on the fortunes of Buddhism with available art
patronage. Artists in each dynasty painted with their distinctive
palette. The visitor can tell the works in the Tang Dynasty from
those in the Song Dynasty.
People believe it possible to fill 25 kilometers (15.5miles) of
gallery space with the works of art from Mogao. There are 50,000
manuscripts written in many languages apart from artifacts. The
Mogao Caves are a depository of historical and cultural exchanges
over more than a thousand years between China and other nations.
Tour Dunhuang
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best
Dunhuang
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
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