Maijishan Grottoes - Artistic Caves Of China

Friday 17 June 2016

Maijishan Grottoes - Artistic Caves Of China

Buddhist complex Maijishan considered one of the largest religious monuments in China. Located in the northwestern part of the country, about 40 kilometers from the city of Tianshui (Gansu Province). The place where the monastery is located, called the Wheat Hill. Its height of 142 meters. Mountain is almost entirely covered with greenery. One of its sides is almost vertical rock cliff. Here and in the monastery. All rooms are "cut" in the rock formation, therefore its other name - rock (or cave) Maijishan complex. Since the monastery is only a few kilometers from the Great Silk Road, he attended not only by believers. When the weather is warm and you could spend the night. Buddhist monks gathered here to meditate. Later, many of them moved here to serve and to work.

The first cave appeared here in 380-417 years. In the 8th century, the central part of the cliff has been destroyed by an earthquake, after which this part more than anything is not built. It has survived more than 190 caves and niches, located at an altitude of 50-70 meters from the foot of the mountain. Of these, 140 are located in the southwestern section. The rest of the 50 caves are located in the south-eastern section of the complex. Both parts are connected by passages: one is located at a height of 50 meters, the second - at the foot of the mountain. Initially, all the staircases and passages that connect the grottoes and niches between them, were built of wood. Now all of them are equipped with metal structures. This is done for security purposes. The caves are decorated with more than 7,000 sculptures and 1,300 square meters. km murals created in 4-19 centuries. For centuries, craftsmen create more new masterpieces from clay and stone. Most of the local sculptures - statues of Buddha. Some of them are carved directly into the rock. An unforgettable experience produce two giant Buddhist triad, located on the "facade" of a unique structure. flickr/browngroove

Amazes tourists with its beauty and paintings on the walls. In addition to the sculptures, there are many ancient manuscripts, paintings, as well as iron and bronze objects. They bear witness to the formation periods, flowering and decline of the empire.

Today Buddhist complex is also a museum. Unfortunately, many rooms are closed to the public. Starting here, you need to take a torch so you can fully see the interior of the caves. As for the photos, all the items covered by a fine mesh, which negatively affects the quality of the photo. From the monastery stairs open landscape of striking beauty. Not far from the mountains settled several tourist areas with good infrastructure.