Must Visit Attraction in Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes

Travelers have said: "Once have seen the Mogao Grottoes that means you have been touched with all world's ancient civilization." There is no doubt that Mogao Grottoes is like a precious pearl attraction in Dunhuang as well as on the Silk Road and you can get more information here about the Silk Road Safari from Xi'an to Kashgar. Travel to Dunhuang, Mogao Grottoes shows a huge magnificent and distinctive caves arts which you can never read about it in a guide book. Mogao Grottoes, as the China's largest grottoes, is located 25 km. (15 mi.) southeast of Dunhuang city. It comes from a history of 1,000 years ago and till now Mogao Grottoes keeps the beautiful and mystery caves, which attract lots of travelers.

In fact, the splendid caves were built originally by a monk who had dreamt of thousand Buddha under showers of golden rays. Since the inspiration he got from the dream , the monk started the work on the construction of caves and spanned over 10 dynasties of the Chinese history. You may be interested in Beijing and Xinjiang Tour to know more details of Mogao Grottoes. As it was significant in ancient culture, Mogao Grottoes was listed in World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1987.

Mogao Grottoes as an great attraction in Dunhuang, also known as the Caves of a Thousand. There are 5 floors in all to grottoes and stretching over 1,600 m. (5, 249 ft.) from north to south. Mogao Grottoes keeps 735 well-preserved caves with 2,415 colored clay statues, over 50, 000 historical relic and 4 sq. m. (14 sq. ft.) murals. The Mogao sculptors used their chisels placed statue, relief murals and ceilings with art decors all of these created in tough rock surface. You'll surprisingly find the smallest one to be merely 2 cm. (0.79 in.) high while largest statue is 34 m. (113 ft.) high. 

The artists in each dynasty with distinctive design and your guide will tell you the difference in the works in Tang Dynasty from those in Sui Dynasty (more information in Travel Through Silk Road to Exotic Nepal). Many travelers will notice style of  Indian Buddhist art in earlier works, due to the Buddhist art originated from India. More recent works in Mogao Grottoes are described in the activities and all works of life in a local background. When you travel to Dunhuang to explore the 750 caves, you'll re-experience these daily observance and particular events as captured by unique artists.

What's the most exquisite murals in Mogao Grottoes? That is "Flying Apsaras" who is a beautiful girl dancing and singing inside the many caves. The place that deserves the travelers' most attention is the Flying, who is completely without wings and feather. Flying Apsaras murals as the most famous attraction in Dunhaung, it displays with various shapes, such as: some Flying Apsaras plays the Pipa (a traditional Chinese instrument) and some are in groups going through clouds and rivers.

A special condition for visiting Mogao Grottoes is that you can't take your camera to take photos. But actually, the eyes always gives the better view than lens of camera to appreciate this place. Travel to Dunhuang, the Autumn may be more suitable to visit and also you can choose a time you want enjoy different landscapes. Do you want to get more information, please look at: Attractions Along The Ancient Silk Road.

Related to:

• China Silk Road Adventure
• Silk Road Explorer
• 9~10 Day Xinjiang Photography Tour