Revelationary Road

The Silk Road originates in modern-day Xi’an, the easternmost outpost in a network of interconnected routes that linked East Asia to Rome.

Thousands of years later, traveling along the Hexi Corridor—the bottleneck desert passage that once marked the entry into the Middle Kingdom—remains one of China’s greatest journeys. Forget romantic ideas of camels and caravans; today, you’ll find considerable development in the cities of the northwest.

However, the area remains rich in Buddhist grottoes and historical sites that highlight the Silk Road’s pivotal role in spreading Buddhism to China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Transplanted by Indian merchants, Buddhism flourished in Central Asian oases from the first century BCE, reaching China via monks during the Han period (206 BCE–220 CE). Exchanges continued from the 3rd to the 7th centuries, notably during the Tang dynasty, when Chinese pilgrims such as Faxian and Xuanzang traveled to northern India for original scriptures. Many of these ancient sites are remarkably preserved today. Here are recommendations for an unforgettable Silk Road itinerary.

The UNESCO-inscribed Maijishan Grottoes lie 60 km south of Tianshui city, featuring 221 caves and over 7,800 Buddhist sculptures dating mainly from the Northern Wei and Zhou dynasties (AD 386–581). The highlight is a towering Sui Dynasty-era trio: a Buddha flanked by two Bodhisattvas, with the Buddha reaching an impressive height of 15.7 meters. Visitors ascend steep stairs and cliffside catwalks that provide intimate views of the artwork—although not recommended for those with acrophobia.

Set on a cliffside overlooking desert landscapes, the Mogao Grottoes are an unmissable Silk Road attraction—and for good reason. Housing one of the world’s most significant collections of Buddhist art, these 492 caves display murals and statues spanning numerous dynasties. At its peak during the Tang dynasty (618–907), Mogao housed 18 monasteries, over 1,400 monks and nuns, and countless artists, translators, and calligraphers. Highlights include the Hidden Library Cave (cave 17), whose artifacts were largely sold off internationally and are now displayed in museums worldwide; the majestic 35.5-meter Buddha housed within Mogao’s iconic seven-story pagoda in Cave 96; and the stunning 15-meter reclining Buddha in Cave 148.

About 180 km south of Dunhuang in Guazhou County, the Yulin Grottoes comprise over 40 caves positioned opposite each other across a narrow canyon. Only the western cliffside caves are accessible to visitors. Spanning 1,500 years from the Northern Wei to the Qing dynasty, Yulin’s murals are better preserved and display a distinct Tibetan influence compared to Mogao’s. While Yulin sees significantly fewer visitors, reaching the site independently is challenging without joining one of the daily private tours departing from Dunhuang.

meter-tall, 1,600-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha carved into a cliff by the Huangyanghe Reservoir. Of the 17 caves here, only one is open to visitors due to past earthquake damage and artifact relocation to provincial museums (visit the Wuwei Museum to see a notable collection). A half-moon-shaped dam stretches before the Buddha’s feet, allowing visitors to enjoy the statue from multiple vantage points.

Carved into the foothills of the grand Qilian Mountains between the 5th and 14th centuries, Mati Si—meaning “Horse Hoof Monastery,” after the hoof imprint left by a mythical horse—is a captivating site requiring physical effort. Visitors navigate winding staircases, cliffside balconies, and tight passageways. The Thousand Buddhas Caves, near the scenic area entrance, are the most accessible, featuring the Puguang Temple and the legendary horse hoof imprint. Further along, the challenging Mati Si North Caves reward visitors with dramatic views and a large grotto containing a striking golden Buddha.

Zhangye city is reputed to have hosted Marco Polo for a year, and it’s easy to understand its allure. Among its sights, the beautifully preserved wooden Big Buddha Temple, built in 1098, houses an astonishing 35-meter-long sleeping Buddha—China’s largest reclining Buddha of clay and wood—surrounded by arhats and Qing dynasty murals. At the complex’s far end stands a white clay stupa from the Ming dynasty, reminiscent of Beijing’s Miaoying Temple White Dagoba.

Tucked southwest of Lanzhou, Bingling Temple boasts Buddhist carvings and statues from the Tang to Ming dynasties, meticulously crafted by sculptors suspended from ropes. The 183 niches and statues are embedded in porous rock formations along a gorge. A 1 km walk leads visitors past smaller Bodhisattvas and guardian figures with clear Indian and Central Asian influences, culminating in the site’s centerpiece—a majestic 27-meter-high seated Maitreya Buddha. The return route crosses a bridge, offering scenic views of the river and surrounding cliffs.

The lesser-known Daxiang Shan Grottoes are home to an impressive 23.3-meter-high and 9.5-meter-wide seated stone Buddha from the Tang dynasty, carved over 1,000 years ago. A 1.5 km uphill trail from the parking area reaches the ridge, hosting 22 caves—number 6 contains the giant Buddha, adorned with vestiges of blue hair coloring, unique moustaches, and distinctive clothing, surrounded by graceful apsara statues. Although figures in other caves were restored in the 1990s, the panoramic views of the city, reservoir lake, and mountains make the hike worthwhile.