Lost Civilization | A Complete Guide to Kizil Caves

Lost Civilization | Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves Travel Guide

If you have visited Mogao Caves, Longmen Grottoes, or Yungang Grottoes, Kizil may feel very different—more fragile, more damaged, quieter, even desolate in places.

But historically, this is where Chinese Buddhist cave art began.

First excavated in the late 3rd century, Kizil predates Dunhuang by nearly 300 years. It was the spiritual and artistic center of the ancient Kingdom of Kucha and played a key role in transmitting Buddhism from India through the Western Regions into central China.

What you see today is only a fraction of what once existed—but it is still powerful, if you know how to look.

This guide is written for travelers who want to truly understand Kizil, not just walk through it.

Kizil Caves

1. How to Get There

✈ By Air

You can fly directly to Kuqa (Kuqa Qiuci Airport), or fly into Aksu and transfer by car.

Kuqa → Kizil: about 1.5 hours by car
Aksu → Kizil: about 2.5 hours

🚘 Self-Drive or Private Car (Highly Recommended)

Public transportation is extremely limited. Renting a car or hiring a driver is strongly recommended.

If you plan to visit nearby cave sites such as Kumtura Caves and Kizil Gaha Caves, a two-day self-drive itinerary works best.

2. Tickets & Special Cave Reservations

🎫 Regular Ticket

RMB 70 per person
Purchase on site (usually no reservation needed in low season).

Visitors are grouped and guided through 6 randomly selected standard caves. You cannot choose the caves yourself.

🔐 Special Caves (By Reservation Only)

If you want to access special caves (including Cave 114 in the inner valley or selected premium caves in other sections), you must email the research institute at least 10 days in advance.

Application forms are available via the Qiuci Research public account.
Approval is usually confirmed by phone within 1–2 days.

Important notes:

You do NOT need to be part of a study group.
Approval rates are high in low season.
If no response, resend the email.

Approximate fees (subject to change):

West Valley special caves: ~RMB 200 per cave
Inner Valley Cave 114: ~RMB 300
Back Mountain premium caves: ~RMB 350

3. Visiting Rules & Important Reminders

After entering the ticket gate, the entire visit is on foot. There are no shuttle buses.

Important:

Use the restroom before entering
All bags and cameras must be stored before reaching Kumarajiva Square
Even water is not allowed inside
Photography is strictly prohibited

Before entering:
✔ Eat properly
✔ Drink water
✔ Do your homework

Kizil Caves

4. Suggested Two-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Main Kizil Area

West Valley Standard Caves (Must-See)

Commonly included caves:

Cave 8: The “Sixteen Sword-Bearers” (original donor portraits removed)
Cave 17: Jataka tales (often the highlight)
Cave 27: Checkerboard ceiling design
Cave 32: Avadana (karma) stories
Cave 34: Kuqa donor portraits

What to observe:

Diamond-grid compositions
Jataka stories (Buddha’s previous lives)
Central pillar cave layout
Small holes used for inserting red willow branches

Guided explanations are brief. Watching a documentary beforehand greatly improves the experience.

If available, choose one special cave (Cave 80 is often recommended).

Day 2 – Surrounding Cave Sites

Kumtura Caves

About 30 minutes from Kuqa city.

Highlights:

Long excavation history
Clear artistic transition showing increasing Sinicization
Murals less intact but historically meaningful

Best for understanding stylistic evolution.

Kizil Gaha Caves

Originally a royal monastery complex.
Heavily damaged; few intact murals remain, but architectural diversity is notable.

For casual visitors, the main Kizil caves are usually sufficient.

Kizil Caves

5. Artistic Style: What Makes Kizil Unique?

236 numbered caves
Around 10,000 square meters of surviving murals
Strong Gandharan artistic influence
Use of red, green, and blue shading
Distinct diamond-grid composition
Emphasis on early Hinayana themes

This is not Central Plains Buddhist art—it is distinctly Western Regions in style.

6. Why It Matters

Buddhism entered Xinjiang in the 1st century BCE
Large-scale excavation began in the late 3rd century
Gradually abandoned after the 8th century
Once ranked among China’s Four Great Grottoes
Removed due to severe damage

In the early 20th century, German expeditions removed many murals. What remains today often shows bare, scarred walls—a painful but important part of the story.

Kizil is not about visual perfection. It is about origins.