56 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of the Turpan, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves contain 67 caves dating from the Northern and Southern dynasties (317 - 589) to the Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368). In the Uigur language Bezeklik means "place where there are paintings" It used to be an important center for Buddhist worship under the Xizhou Huigu government of Gaochang Kindom, which built the royal temple of the King of Huigu at this site. The caves are well hidden and rest on a long ridge overlooking a valley where the monastery was located. Originally it is accessible via a winding pathway to the cliff top, and a steep stairway led down to the monastery 30 feet below. Among 83 numbered grottoes, about 40 of them have rich remains of murals. Some murals present clearly the figurines of the Huigu people; some showed Indian monks and portraits of Buddhas at different periods throughout history, etc. They are briefly divided into four periods chronologically.
Period No. 1
Only one cave concerned with this period dating back to the end of the Northern and Southern dynasties.
Period No. 2
Caves numbered 14, 15, 16, 17, 28, 29 presents main feature of the period from the mid-Tang. Unique murals in Cave No. 17 called "Transformation in the Hell" somewhat like paintings of Manichean and the ancient instruments shown in the mural depicting "Female Dancers on Performance" in Cave No.16 are known as the solo in Buddhist grottoes throughout China.
Period No. 3
The period presents murals and grottoes from the end of Tang dynasty, Song dynasty and Huigu reign of Gaochang Kingdom. Caves numbered 8, 9, 22, 23, 24, 27, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 45 , 46, 48, 49, 50 and 51 showed pictures depicting the King and Queen of Huigu and nobles and the daily life of ancient Uigur people. The thousand-year-old murals inside the caves were in superb condition, their colors rich and fresh; some showed Indian monks in yellow robes, their names inscribed in Brahmi script. Huge portraits of Buddhasat different periods throughout history, and figures of foreigners presenting gifts to the Buddha have been found. Inscriptions in the ancient Huigu, Chinese and Brahmi languages are of high value for research on the history of Uigur and other minority groups in Xinjiang.
The murals depicting "Buddhist disciples wailing in mourning" and "Bhikku wailing in mourning" on the back wall of the Grotto No.33 boast rare artistic pieces expressing the insight feelings of the figures with vivid images and individual characteristics.
Period No.4
Cut during the end of Huigu reign of Gaocheng Kindom and the Yuan, caves numbered 16, 39, 40, 41, 42 mainly yielded murals of figurines revealed such aspects of daily life as traditional costumes, customs and riding accoutrements of Mongolian Huigu.
There are 77 numbered Grottoes, about forty of which still have murals on them. The group of grottoes in Bizaklik, with a total of 1200 square meters of murals, has the most grottoes, most diversified architectural style and the richest mural content in the Turpan area.
The oldest grottoes were hewn in the period of Qushi Gaochang. From the Tang Dynasty right up to the Yuan Dynasty in the thirteenth century, it was an important Buddhist gathering place; its most prosperous period was under the reign of the Xizhou Huigu government, which built the royal temple of the king of Huigu on this site. Most of the existing grottoes were extended or reconstructed during the Huihe period.
Even today, one can still see on the remaining Buddhist murals the features of the King and Queen of Huigu and people of different status, as well as scenes of the lives of ancient Uygur people. Inscriptions in the ancient Huigu, Chinese and Brahmi languages are valuable materials for research on the written languages and History of Xinjiang's various nationalities, and Uygur in particular.
The murals depicting "Buddhist disciples wailing in the mourning" on the back wall of Grotto #33 are rare artistic pieces which depict the inner feelings of the figures with vivid images and individual characteristics. The ancient instrument shown in the mural depicting "Female dancers on performance" in Grotto #16 and the mural of "Transformation in the Hell" in Grotto #17 are seldom seen in Buddhist grottoes in China.
The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves became an important cultural unit protected by the state in 1961.