Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t2.2

v2.c11.s4.t2.2

Dunhuang Caves (Dunhuang Shiku) is the Chinese Buddhist grottoes. It is a general name of the grotto groups in the area of Dunhuang, Gansu. The broad sense of Dunhuang Caves includes Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Western Thousand Buddha Caves, Anxi Yulin Caves, Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves and five temple grottoes in the north of Gansu Province; the narrow sense of Dunhuang Caves specifically means Mogao Caves. Mogao Caves is located in the cliff of the eastern side of Mingsha Mountain, 25 km southeast of present day Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. It was first built in the second Jianyuan year of the Former Qin Dynasty (366), and cut in succession from Northern Liang era Dynasty through to Yuan Dynasty. Now, there are 492 caves, about 2,400 coloured sculptures, and over 45,000 sq mt of murals. Of the grotto cluster in Dunhuang Caves, Mogao Caves were cut at the earliest with the largest size and the highest achievements.