Tang Dynasty is the heyday of Dunhuang Mogao Buddhist art. After this period, the local economy around Dunhuang declined and the production of Buddhist art lessened dramatically. Despite the ravages of time, the winds and sand, 492 caves are still in existence. These caves contain thousands of square meters of frescoes, created with layers of cement and clay and then painted. The various dynasties each feature different styles and themes, and the content of the frescoes is diversified, although themes typically revolve around Buddha images.

The Mogao Buddhist sculptures were generally constructed with terracotta and then covered with a carvable plaster surface that is painted after being carved. Cave number 17 is particularly famous for its hoard of Buddhist scriptures and artwork.

Opposite the Mogao Grottoes at the foot of Sanwei Mountain, the Dunhuang Art Exhibition Center was built by the Dunhuang Art Study Institute with donations by Japanese contributors.

Transportation: There are no buses driving directly to Mogao Grottos. The car rental fee per day is between £¤100 and £¤120.

Ticket Price: £¤180

Chinese Net Friends' Suggestions:

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You'd better bring a great flashlight to enjoy the caves and frescoes. There are some low-powered flashlights available for rent outside the main gate, but you may be disappointed.

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Don't take the cameras into the Grottoes.

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Visit Mogao Grottoes in the morning. At these hours, the visitors would not be very crowed and the lighting condition would be the best.

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Before entering the Grottoes, you'd better read some works on Mogao Grottoes, or it would be very hard for you to understand the miseries of the mural paintings.