Bezeklik Buddhist Grottos (Turfan Basin, Xinjiang)

Ref: 070706-2217     Date: 06-07-2007

The Bezeklik Buddhist Grottos, dated 5th-13th centuries AD, are located in the Flaming Mountains (Turfan Basin, Xinjiang, China). The caves were cut into the cliff face and their interiors decorated with murals and sculptures. Meltwater from the Tian Shan Mountains to the north flows through the gorge at the base of the cliff, permitting crop production. The day I took this photo the temperature outdoors was about 45 degrees celsius. The railings were too hot to touch.