Every year more and more tourists prefer to go to new unusual places in order to spend their holidays interestingly and profitably. For example, a vacation in China is able to give not only excellent beaches and amazing Asian cuisine, but also unique objects of excursion programs that will allow you to plunge into Chinese culture. Of course, these objects include the Mogao Caves, which we will talk about in this post. Read more to find out about this amazing place, how to get there and where to stay.
How to get to Mogao Caves
Mogao Caves are located in the Chinese province of Gansu near the city of Dunhuang. You should start your journey to the caves from this city. You can do this by bus, which departs every hour from the railway station of the city. Travel time is about 30 minutes. You can also take a taxi. It will be a little more expensive, but faster and more comfortable.
Information about Mogao Caves
The Mogao Caves are considered the largest in the world and the best-preserved gallery about the 1000-year-old history of Buddhist religious art. The caves were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. About 500 caves are located here, and only 30 of them allow tourists to enter. However, this is quite enough so that you can get an idea of these grandiose cultural objects.
The first cave appeared in these mountains in 366 BC. Monk Le Zun, after a vision, decided to stay here. Later, his followers joined him. In the 14th century, the monks left these caves, and only after 6 centuries, the monastery in the caves reopened.
In the caves, you can see Buddha statues and murals, wall paintings on various topics. The main attraction of the Mogao caves is an ancient library of 20 thousand books and scrolls in many ancient languages. These are historical chronicles, dictionaries, mathematical, astronomical and medical treatises, philosophical works, novels and poems.
The entrances to the caves of Mogao is open only for group excursions, so if you come on your own, just join any group on the spot. There is no lighting in the caves, so bring flashlights with you. Opening hours: daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
Hotels in Mogao Caves
The nearest hotels to Mogao Caves are located in Dunhuang. There are many hotels in the city, so even in the high tourist season; you can easily wear suitable accommodation. At the same time, the city has both luxury hotels and quite budget ones, including hostels and guesthouses.
