Mogao Caves (莫高窟)

The Mogao Caves (莫高窟, Mògāo Kū) are one of the world's greatest Buddhist art treasures — 735 caves containing 1,000 years of murals, sculptures, and manuscripts.

What to See

The Murals — 45,000 square meters of paintings — the largest collection of Buddhist art in the world. The detail and color are extraordinary.

The Sculptures — 2,400 clay sculptures — from small Buddha figures to 30-meter-tall guardian statues. The craftsmanship is incredible.

The Manuscripts — The famous Library Cave — sealed for 1,000 years with 50,000 manuscripts in multiple languages. The manuscripts are now scattered across the world.

The Digital Theater — A modern theater that uses projection mapping to bring the caves to life. The show is spectacular.

Practical Tips

• Entry fee: ¥238 ($33) — includes digital theater and cave visits
• Book tickets online at least 2 weeks in advance
• The caves are 25km from Dunhuang city — tour buses available
• Photography is not allowed inside the caves
• Allow at least half a day