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Mogao Caves

caves, Dunhuang, China
Also known as: Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, Ch’ien-fo-tung, Mo-kao-k’u, Qianfo Dong(Show More)

Quick Summary

The Mogao Caves, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, are a renowned Buddhist cave temple complex located near Dunhuang, China. Established in 366 CE, they served as a major center for Buddhism and a pilgrimage site for centuries.1

The caves contain nearly 500 grottoes adorned with murals and painted statuary, showcasing Buddhist art and scriptures dating from the 5th to the 11th century. In 1987, the Mogao Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dunhuang itself is historically significant as a convergence point on the Silk Road, where eastern and western trade routes met.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Dunhuang
  2. Yungang caves

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