Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves

Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves is located on the Small Jishi Hill, about 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) west of Yongjing County in Lanzhou City. Being one of the very noted four caves in China, it is the second to Mogao Caves. The statues in it date from various dynastic eras and show the differing cultures, clothing and physical features of the worshipped gods. The earliest temples are at the highest elevation and have characteristic Indian-style features and artistic style. In respect of artistic value and was added to the World Heritage List on June 22, 2014.

Bingling means 'ten thousand Buddhas' in the Tibetan language. The starting construction time of Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves dates back to the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316). In the following dynasties, the caves had been excavated many times. There are now 183 niches, 694 stone statues, 82 clay sculptures and some 900 square meters' (about 1,076 square yards') of murals, which are all well preserved.

Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves are mainly made up of the upper temple, the lower temple and the caves in between. Being a Buddhist cave temple, the main characters in the caves are Sakyamuni, Kwan-yin, Amitayus Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and other Buddhas. Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves are still kept comparatively intact. In total there are 183 cave niches, 776 statues, over 900-square-meter (about 1,076 square yards) murals as well as six ink and carved inscriptions. The caves of the Tang Dynasty take up more than two thirds of the area.

With elegant postures, flying robes and ribbons, the statues are life-like. Among the caves, Cave No.169 is worthy of a particular mention. Made in the Northern Dynasties (386-581), it is the most imposing and delicate one which holds the clay sculptures of Kwan-yin, Dali Buddha (Dali means powerful strength in Chinese), etc. Dali Buddha has a round face, sitting with legs crossed. When we see this sculpture we will feel its expression as being very solemn. On its two sides stands Bodhisattvas with their hair bound, waving bare arms. The colors present us vivid Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. Cave No.125, which holds the stone sculpture of Sakyamuni, is also one not to be missed.

The stone sculptures in Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves represent the social situations and customs during ancient times. In the vicinity of the caves are green hills, crystal water, grotesque stones and precipitous cliffs, which adds more beauty to this artistic site. After the founding of People's Republic of China, the State Council designated the site as a key cultural relic, and placed it under state protection.

The Bingling Caves are quite far away from Lanzhou and can only be reached by boat via the Liujiaxia Reservoir. First you should take bus from Lanzhou to Liujiaxia Dam (about 80 miles, 1 hour driving for 12 Yuan), and then you can take boat to Bingling Temple. Boats leave from near the Liujiaxia Dam in Liujiaxia City, and sometimes also from other docks on the reservoir. The whole cruise will take 2 hours for 10 Yuan a person. And the Bingling Caves only can be reached during summer and autumn because in the rest of year the boat will not be operated and there are no any roads can access to Bingling except water way.

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