Millennium Grottoes, Inherited Craftsmanship丨Guazhou Yulin Grottoes- Brilliant Art in Wanfo Gorge

When it comes to stone cave art in Gansu, the Dunhuang Mogao Caves are undoubtedly the most famous. Often referred to as the “Oriental Museum of Painting,” they symbolize the evolution of Chinese cave art. However, just over 150 kilometers away from the Mogao Caves lies another hidden gem—the Yulin Caves in Guazhou County, often referred to as the “sister caves” of Mogao.

Located about 70 kilometers southwest of Guazhou County in the Yulin River Valley, Yulin Caves, also known as Wanfosi Gorge, were carved into the steep cliffs on either side of the river. The name comes from the lush growth of elm trees along the riverbanks.

On October 19th, the online themed event “A Thousand Years of Craftsmanship Passed Down” took participants on a virtual journey to the Yulin Caves, allowing them to intimately experience Buddhist culture and gain a comprehensive understanding of cultural heritage preservation while continuing the narrative of Gansu’s cave art.

The exact origins of Yulin Caves remain uncertain, but there are currently 42 caves spread across the east and west cliffs of the river valley—31 on the east and 11 on the west. Among these, four date back to the Tang Dynasty, eight to the Five Dynasties, thirteen to the Song Dynasty, one to the Uighur period, four to the Western Xia, three to the Yuan Dynasty, and nine to the Qing Dynasty. The caves house over 270 clay sculptures and more than 5,200 square meters of murals, positioning them as a significant repository of mural art, second only to the Mogao Caves.

The murals of Yulin Caves are closely tied to those in Mogao, forming an essential part of the Dunhuang cave art system. They preserve valuable information on the cultural exchanges and integration along the Silk Road, boasting immense historical, artistic, and technological value. Yulin Caves hold a pivotal status in the narrative of mid to late Chinese Buddhist cave temple mural art.

The array of subjects depicted in Yulin’s murals is extensive, covering Buddhist teachings as well as various aspects of everyday life, culture, and production. Visitors can glimpse the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures along the Silk Road, as well as developments in social life and production techniques during the Western Xia period.

Renowned artist Zhang Daqian visited the Yulin Caves twice and praised the elegant and refined hues of Cave 25, declaring it one of the most beautiful caves in China.

The murals of Cave 2, particularly the images of Avalokiteshvara on either side of the entrance, are celebrated masterpieces of Western Xia murals, lauded for their exquisite artistry.

Tucked away in a desert canyon, the Yulin Caves not only preserve invaluable evidence of cultural fusion along the Silk Road but also embody significant historical, artistic, and technological value, marking them as critically important in Chinese mid to late Buddhist cave mural art.

In comparison to the bustling Mogao Caves, Yulin offers a more serene experience. The clear Yulin River flows continuously from south to north, marking the passage of time. Here, a thousand years seem to evaporate, leaving behind not only faith but also a testament to civilization.