Refine your search

The results of your search are listed below alongside the search terms you entered on the previous page. You can refine your search by amending any of the parameters in the form and resubmitting it.

Select all Deselect all Add selection to lightbox
Large Small
Thumbnails per page
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century CE until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The Kumtura Thousand Buddha Caves (Kumutula Qianfodong), also Qumtura, is a Buddhist cave temple site in the Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China. The site is located some 25 km west of Kucha, Kuqa County, on the ancient Silk Road.<br/><br/> 112 cave temples survive, dating from the fifth to the eleventh centuries. Damaged during the Islamic conquests and subsequently by occasional habitation after abandonment of the site, Kumtura was visited by a number of the early foreign expeditions to Chinese Central Asia, including the 1902 Otani expedition, Oldenburg, and Le Coq. The last detached several wall paintings and took them back to Berlin, where they are now held at the Museum fur Asiatische Kunst.
Yanshui Gou or ‘Saltwater Gulley’ is an extraordinary landscape of eroded rock formations near Kuqa and on the way to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The Kizilgah Beacon Tower is about 6km west of Kuqa. This imposing structure, dating from the Han Dynasty (BC 206-220 AD), marks an antique Chinese garrison point on the former Northern Silk Road.
The Kizilgah Beacon Tower is about 6km west of Kuqa. This imposing structure, dating from the Han Dynasty (BC 206-220 AD), marks an antique Chinese garrison point on the former Northern Silk Road.
The Kizilgah Beacon Tower is about 6km west of Kuqa. This imposing structure, dating from the Han Dynasty (BC 206-220 AD), marks an antique Chinese garrison point on the former Northern Silk Road.
Yanshui Gou or ‘Saltwater Gulley’ is an extraordinary landscape of eroded rock formations near Kuqa and on the way to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
Yanshui Gou or ‘Saltwater Gulley’ is an extraordinary landscape of eroded rock formations near Kuqa and on the way to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
Yanshui Gou or ‘Saltwater Gulley’ is an extraordinary landscape of eroded rock formations near Kuqa and on the way to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
KumÄrajÄ«va; (pinyin: JiÅ«móluóshí) (344–413 CE) was a Kuchean Buddhist monk, scholar, and translator. He first studied the teachings of the Sarvastivada schools, later studied under BuddhasvÄmin, and finally became a MahÄyÄna adherent, studying the Madhyamaka doctrine of Nagarjuna. He settled in Chang'an (today known as Xi'an). He is mostly remembered for his prolific translation of Sanskrit Buddhist texts into Chinese.<br/><br/> The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
Yanshui Gou or ‘Saltwater Gulley’ is an extraordinary landscape of eroded rock formations near Kuqa and on the way to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
Yanshui Gou or ‘Saltwater Gulley’ is an extraordinary landscape of eroded rock formations near Kuqa and on the way to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha. This area was a commercial hub of the The Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.
The ancient oasis town of Kuqa (Kuche), though now overshadowed by Korla to the east and Aksu to the west, was once a key stop on the Northern Silk Road. It first came under Han Chinese control when it was conquered, in 91AD, by the indomitable General Ban Chao.<br/><br/> By the 4th century it had emerged as an important centre of Tocharian civilisation sitting astride not just the Northern Silk Road, but also lesser routes to Dzungaria in the north and Khotan in the south. The celebrated Buddhist monk Kumarajiva was born here, and travelled west on the Silk Road to study in Kashmir before returning east, to Wuwei, where he taught and translated Buddhist texts for 17 years.
Zhaoguli Buddhist Temple dates from the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated by Count Otani Kozui of Kyoto in the early 20th century.<br/><br/> The ruins of Subashi Gucheng (Subashi Ancient City) are all that is left of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci that existed from the 4th century AD until it was abandoned sometime in the 12th century.
The Astana Graves are a series of underground tombs located 6km from the ancient city of Gaochang, and 42km from Turpan, in Xinjiang, China. The tombs were used by the inhabitants of Gaochang, both commoners and locals, for about 600 years from 200 CE – 800 CE.<br/><br/> The complex covers 10 square kilometers and contains over 1,000 tombs. Different plots for separate castes and families are marked by gravel dividers. Due to the arid environment many important artifacts have been well preserved at the tombs, including natural mummies.<br/><br/> A typical tomb is entered by a 10 meter sloping staircase. The tombs are not very large, usually only 2 meters high. Some tombs also have murals inside. The deceased were laid on a small raised platform in the back of the tomb, surrounded by possessions and even food. Their faces were covered by cloths, some of which have distinct Persian motifs. A small funeral brick was placed to next to each body, on which was written the person’s name and other biographical information. These bricks have been incredibly useful for historians to date the tombs’ finds.<br/><br/> There are also various Tang Dynasty figurines and silk paintings in the Astana Graves. A new pavilion has been built outside the old graveyard; the centerpiece is a large statue of Fuxi and Nüwa based on the silk banners found on the inner ceilings of the tombs.
Kumarajiva, (Chinese:Jjiumoluoshi; 344 CE – 413 CE) was a Kuchean (Kucha, Kuqa) Buddhist monk, scholar, and translator. He first studied teachings of the Sarvastivada schools, later studied under Buddhasvamin, and finally became a MahÄyÄna adherent, studying the Madhyamaka doctrine of Nagarjuna. He settled in Chang'an (modern Xi'an). He is mostly remembered for the prolific translation of Buddhist texts written in Sanskrit to Chinese he carried out during his later life.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road. The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (Qizil Ming Oy; Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) are 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township in Xinjiang. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres by road northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in Xinjiang, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings—mostly Jataka stories—remain.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.<br/><br/> Mallabhum (Bengali: মলà§à¦²à¦­à§‚ম) was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur primarily in the present Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.<br/><br/> Mallabhum (Bengali: মলà§à¦²à¦­à§‚ম) was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur primarily in the present Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.<br/><br/> Mallabhum (Bengali: মলà§à¦²à¦­à§‚ম) was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur primarily in the present Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.
The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl; Uyghur: Qizil Ming Öy; Chinese: 克孜尔åƒä½›æ´ž; pinyin: KèzÄ«Ä›r QiÄnfú Dòng; literally 'Kizil Cave of a Thousand Buddhas') are a set of 236 Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 75 kilometres (by road) northwest of Kucha (Kuqa). This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.<br/><br/> The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.