0102 - The Mokao Caves (also known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas) at T...Front

The Mokao Caves (also known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas) at Tunhuang, Kansu Province. First built by a Buddhist monk by the name of Yueh Tsun in A.D. 366, the caves were further expanded and rebuilt all through the Sui, Tang and Yuan Dynasties. They now spread along he hill side for a total length of 1,618 metres. About 480 of these caves still contain wall paintings and sculptures, with a total of over 2,000 clay figures. These paintings and sculptures are of much value to the study of the Chinese society and the development of Chinese art from the fourth century through the fourteenth century. Picture shows part of the repair work that has been carried out at Tunhuang.