Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves lie sixty kilometers east of Baicheng County,
Xinjiang Province. It is the earliest Buddha art treasure trove in China,
which were cut in the third century to eight or ninth century. These 236
coded caves extending to over 3 kilometers.
The murals in the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves are reputed as "The
most beautiful murals in Central Asia" for its abundance in content,
quantity and long duration. More than 10,000 square meters murals were
found in 81 caves. The diamond grid pattern is the most impressive feature
in the caves. Each story about Buddha's reincarnation was portrayed by
a single picture instead of a series of pictures as in Mogao Grottoes.
There are also murals depicting daily life and nature besides the themes
of Buddha.
This priceless encyclopedia of ancient Chinese culture really deserves
reading.