Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: A Lost Treasure of the Silk Road

Located in the Flaming Mountains of Turpan, Xinjiang, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves were once a dazzling cultural gem along the Silk Road. Built between the 5th and 14th centuries, these caves served as places of worship and meditation for Buddhist monks, as well as hubs for trade and cultural exchange. Originally consisting of 83 caves, about 57 remain today, preserving the marks of an era of diverse cultural integration.

The murals inside the caves depict Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and scenes of daily life, blending artistic styles from Central Asia, Persia, China, and India, showcasing the openness and diversity of Silk Road civilization.

However, these treasures faced calamity in the early 20th century. In the 1900s, German explorer Albert von Le Coq led an expedition that cut and transported many murals back to Berlin. Tragically, most of these murals were destroyed during Allied bombings in World War II.

Today, only fragments of these murals remain in Berlin's Museum of Asian Art, as well as other museums around the world, such as the British Museum in London and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Some of the most famous murals, such as those depicting monks and donors, can now only be appreciated through digital replicas and black-and-white photographs. The original murals in the caves have been largely eroded by wind and sand, as well as historical upheavals.

Despite the devastation, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves remain a brilliant symbol of Silk Road civilization. Its murals are not just works of art but also testimonies to human cultural exchange. Exploring this site is a journey through millennia and a spiritual dialogue with diverse cultures.

Post by Soulful Traveler 心靈行旅 | Sep 23, 2025