Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes, also Mogao Caves or Dunhuang Caves, is located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang on the cliff of Echoing Sand Mountain. Reputed to be the most valuable cultural discovery in twentieth century, it is nicknamed “the Oriental Art Pearl” and one of the three famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China, together with Yungang Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes.

Best known for its murals and colored sculptures, Mogao Grottoes was first constructed in the Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439) period, with successive works in later dynasties. Currently, there are 735 caves with 45,000 square meters murals and 2,415 colored sculptures of Buddhist figures. Therefore, it is the largest and richest Buddhist art shrine in the world. In early twentieth century, with the discovery of the sutra cave including over 50,000 cultural relics, a school specializing in the study of Dunhuang art and Buddhist sutras appears.

Construction

The story goes that in 366, a monk named Le Zun saw a golden light like thousands of Buddha when he passed by the mountain. Thus, he thought the area was blessed by Buddha and excavated the first cave in the cliff. Later, more and more caves were excavated with the prosperousness of Silk Road. People gave the caves a name Mogao Grottoes considering its location on the highland (Gao in Chinese) of the desert (Mo in Chinese).

Destruction and Protect

After the discovery of the sutra cave in early twentieth century, Mogao Grottoes attracted many western archaeologists and explorers. They took away many precious sutras and murals from a Chinese Taoist named Wang Yuanlu who discovered the sutra cave first. Many murals and colored sculptures were destroyed or lost, which seriously damaged the artistic integrity of Dunhuang Caves.

After People’s Republic of China was founded, the government made great effort to protect this treasured art house. An institute was set up to study and recover the murals. They also limit the number of daily visitors since the carbon dioxide produced by breath could make damage to the murals.

Artistic Features

Mogao Grottoes is a large cave temple combining painting, sculpture and architecture together, while mural is the most important which brings it a great fame. Among the 735 caves, the 487 in southern area is the principle part and all of them have murals or sculptures. Only five of the 248 caves in northern area have murals or sculptures and other caves are the residential, practicing or tomb area for the monks.

The murals are painted on the walls, roofs or shrines in the caves with various themes including images of Buddha, Buddhist stories, Buddhism history, lectures, gods and monsters, and decorated patterns. Besides, there are also many murals regarding the ancient life such as hunting, tilth, weaving, transportation, war, construction, dance, and wedding and funeral ceremonies.

Some of the murals are vigorous and broad while others brilliant and magnificent, reflecting the styles and features of different times. No.17 cave is the famous sutra cave while No.96, the highest with 33 meters, is featured for the nine-storey tower which has been the symbol of Mogao Grottoes. The 35.6-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha is only after Leshan Giant Buddha and the one in Rongxian County.

Evolution of the Styles

Murals and sculptures in Mogao Grottoes are generally belonging to four periods in Chinese history, namely Northern Dynasty (386-581), Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), Five Dynasties and Song (907-1279), and Western Xia and Yuan (1038-1368).

There are 36 caves belonging to Northern Dynasty. The earliest No. 268, 272 and 275 caves date back to the period between the year 397 and 439. The murals feature the characteristics of Buddhism in western regions, soil red background with green and white paintings. The colored painted sculptures are mainly about flying apsaras, Bodhisattva and ten-thousands Buddha. No.249, 259 and 428 are representatives of the late Northern Dynasty and the murals in them are always having white background.

The period of Sui and Tang dynasties is the peak of the Mogao Grottoes and more than 300 caves at here belong to this period. The sculptures are fatter, taller and more colorful than the previous one. Themes of the murals are also richer, including images of Buddha, Buddhist stories, supporters and historical sites of Buddhism.

Over 100 caves belong to Five Dynasties and Song (907-1279). During the time, the governors of Dunhuang believed in Buddhism and they donated a lot to the Mogao Grottoes. Therefore, many murals depict the supporters of Buddhism but the painting skill declined. The map of Wutai Mountain in No 61 cave is the largest mural in Mogao Grottoes. The five meters high and 13.5 meters long mural shows the detail of Mountain Wutai with pavilions and temples.

85 Caves belonging to Western Xia and Yuan dynasties are mostly reconstructed. Some murals are about Huihu people and Tibet Buddhism since the governors of these dynasties were ethnic groups from northern China. The most representative caves are No.3, 61 and 465.

A trip to Mogao Grottoes offers tourists the opportunity to learn the culture exchange between China and west, trace back the route of Silk Road as well as the history of Buddhism in China. Please treasure the murals and remember no photo within the caves!