Tips for traveling in Zhangye.

Horseshoe Temple, also known as Puguang Temple, was built in Beiliang during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It has been more than 1,600 years ago. Guo Yu, a native of Jin Dynasty, once opened a cave here to teach in seclusion and led his disciples to build the caves. After the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song (Western Xia), Yuan, Ming, Qing and the Republic of China, there were statues and paintings in all dynasties, and gradually formed the horseshoe. Temple Grottoes Group Art.

The Jinta Temple was excavated during the Northern Liang Period, about 1,600 to 1,700 years ago, but it cannot be fully verified because there are not enough written records yet. Due to its remote location, high mountains and overhanging walls, and inconvenient transportation, it was fortunate to have escaped the previous campaigns to exterminate Buddhism in history and was relatively completely preserved.

High flesh-carved flying apsaras: The flying apsaras hanging on both sides of the lintel on the first floor of the East Grotto are its most distinctive art form. These flying apsaras appear to be flying in the air relative to each other. They are rare treasures of cave art. Their history is much earlier than the Dunhuang apsaras. The figure is plump and simple, and is known as the "essence of the Oriental Feitian".

Unique statue style: For example, there is the Reflexive Bodhisattva, which is unique to China only in the Jinta Temple. The statue stands on its back, with a half-naked upper body, wearing Hercules shorts and long monastic hair. There is also a statue of Sakyamuni in ascetic practice. His cheeks are thin and bony, but his eyes are firm and energetic, and his facial contours are gentle.

No photography is allowed in the cave. This is the most expensive 4A scenic spot I have ever visited.

More expensive than Mogao Grottoes, Mogao Grottoes has two movies and a scenic bus.

There is also a museum, which has nothing.

Post by Lavinia&& | Oct 30, 2024