The remarkable Mogao Caves, a collection of nearly 500 caves in the cliffs to the south of the city, contain the largest depositary of historic documents along the Silk Roads and bear witness to the cultural, religious, social and commercial activity that took place in Dunhuang across the first millennium.
They contain the world’s largest collection of Buddhist art.

The caves are known as the Mogao (peerless) Grottoes. The caves are known as the Mogao (peerless) Grottoes. Beginning in the Northern Wei Dynasty (439-534 AD), these 22 caves cover the following dynasties including the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan and Qing Dynasties. From the west came not only Silk Road traders who came to Dunhuang and passed by Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Oasis, but also monks. Visitors from the West couldn’t get to China without going through Dunhuang, as it is located at the crossroads of the northern and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road. Dunhuang Dunhuang is a Silk Road trading town that offers vast stretches of open desert, camel rides, a great walking night market, and the Mogao Cave Grottoes. Asian Art Museum. From the 4th to the 14th century, Dunhuang bore witness to intense religious, commercial, and cultural exchange along the trade routes linking the East and West, known collectively as the Silk Road. Foster Galleries . Dunhuang is a city full of historical attractions as it was once a real crossroads on the Silk Road. Dunhuang is located in western Gansu, an oasis in the vast Gobi Desert. Today, we know their legacy as the Mogao Caves, or … From the 4th to the 14th century, Dunhuang bore witness to intense religious, commercial, and cultural exchange along the trade routes linking the East and West, known collectively as the Silk Road. Day 8- Depart Dunhuang Previously one of the important and strategic cities on the famous Silk Road, it contains over 2,000 years of history. Journey To Dunhuang: Buddhist Art Of The Silk Road Caves. The decorated caves’ walls and ceilings, … The caves may also be known as the Dunhuang Caves.....During the Tang Dynasty, Dunhuang had became the main hub of commerce of the Silk Road and a major religious centre. Dunhuang is still home to relics of the Silk Road, particularly the Mogao Caves, a series of hundreds of Buddhist caves dug out of a cliff face and intricately painted on the inside. A Buddhist monk by name Le-Tsung saw a shine of Thousand Buddhas on the mountain top during his journey along the Great Silk Road. Located at China’s western frontier, the ancient city of Dunhuang was at a crossroads of the civilizations of East Asia, Central Asia, and the Western world. Dunhuang Frescoes are the most important composing part of the grotto art of Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China. Silk Road China Tours, Dunhuang: Hours, Address, Silk Road China Tours Reviews: 5/5. The Mogao Cave Grottoes are sometimes known as the “Caves of 1000 Buddhas” and are a must see for art and history buffs. Taking this vision as a sign, he went to the mountain and cut through a first cave, where he … It was first constructed in 366AD and represents the great achievement of Buddhist art from the 4th to the 14th century. Monks who would forever change the people and landscape of this Silk Road garrison. Mar 5 – Jun 12 2016. The Gobi desert lay east. Support this operator: Times are tough for the travel community right now. WESTERN THOUSAND BUDDHAS CAVES in Dunhuang consist of 22 caves. Over 50 thousand square meters of frescoes originated in past dynasties make them a grotto cluster boasting frescoes … Day 4- Drive to Dunhuang, Dunhuang ancient city and night market.
The history of Mogao begins in 366 BC. Asia ; China ; Gansu ; Dunhuang ; Things to Do in Dunhuang ; Silk Road China Tours ; Search. Dunhuang Grottoes is not only a brilliant art treasure of ancient Chinese civilization, but also an important witness to the dialogue and communication between different civilizations that had taken place on the ancient Silk Road. Dunhuang is one of the frontier towns established around 104 BC, serving as a fortification to protect against invading tribes. To show your support, consider leaving a review or posting photos of tours and experiences you have taken. Day 5- Camel ride in the Gobi Desert, sleep in a nomad tent in the desert. Day 6- Retrun from Camel Ride, Day 7- Mogao Caves and Silk Road Theater Show. Dunhuang Grottoes include the Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang, the Western Thousand Buddha Caves and the Yulin Grottoes in Anxi County, with a total of 552 grottoes.

Carved into the cliffs above the Dachuan River, the Mogao Caves south-east of the Dunhuang oasis, Gansu Province, comprise the largest, most richly endowed, and longest used treasure house of Buddhist art in the world. Surviving books and manuscripts reveal many languages present at Dunhuang, including Chinese, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Uyghur, Tangut, and Hebrew.