For most visitors who lack the time and opportunity to see Dunhuang, the exhibit is a nice chance to see its Buddhas and frescoes. But what was left behind in those Gansu Province caves that the exhibit couldn't capture?

Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes

The Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes are located in the vale of the Daquan River, southeast of Dunhuang city. Its 492 caves honeycomb all the walls of the vale.

The grottoes were first built in 366 AD. By Tang Dynasty (618-907), the number of caves reached one thousand.

Due to natural and man-made damage, only 492 caves remain today: these house about 45,000-square-meters of frescoes and 2,400 colored statues. The caves were halls for monks to perform religious ceremonies.

Colored statues are the bulk of Dunhuang art, and have an important position in each cave. Most statues are combinations of a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. Starting in Sui (581-618) and Tang Dynasty, colored statue groups began to appear. The statues of the late Tang were more real and emotional.

Another feature of the Mogao Grottoes is the large numbers of colorful frescoes. Buddhas, mountains and rivers, animals, fairy tales and ornaments were all subjects. They reflect the life of people in ancient times, as well as their technology, music, dance, and clothing.

Open: 8:30 am to 6 pm from May to October; 9 am to 5:30 pm from November to April

Admission: 160 yuan per person from May to October for Chinese; 180 yuan per person for foreign visitors including foreign language tour guide; 80 per person from November to April for Chinese; 100 yuan per person for foreign visitors.

Traveler's experience

"At any given time, around 50 caves are open to the general public, and access is only possible as part of a guided tour. Although the guide will have a flashlight, it is advisabe to bring your own, but be prudent with its use-the frescoes and pigments are damaged by light.If you are referring to one of the specialist guide books, note that the cave numbering system has changed, which makes it all a little confusing. The highlights for many fast-paced fleet-footed tour groups are the northern and southern Big Buddha caves, which, artistically are among the least interesting, so if you let your guide know that you are willing to skip these, you will have a lot more time to see some of the more interesting caves."