Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t2.3

v2.c11.s4.t2.3

Dunhuang was an important town on the ancient Silk Road, and the hub of Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. India Buddhist art was introduced into Dunhuang along the Silk Road through the western regions, therefore, the early Buddhist art in the Dunhuang Caves were permeated with the influence of the western region and Indian art. The shape and structure of early caves in Dunhuang can be divided into two styles – the Chan caves and the central tower caves. The Chan caves evolved from Indian Vihara (monk's dormitory) Buddhist caves, and the central tower caves derived from Indian Chaitya (Buddha Hall) caves, introduced into Dunhuang after the formation of the Western Regions. The early coloured sculptures of Dunhuang were also influenced by Indian Gandhara art and Gupta art.