Damagou Buddhist Heritage Museum is located in Damagou Township, Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 30 kilometers away from Cele County Seat and 4 kilometers away from National Highway 315. It is a 4A-level tourist attraction and a national key cultural relic protection unit. Built based on the Damagou Buddhist cultural heritage discovered in 2000, it was opened to the public on August 20, 2007. The museum features a condensed landscape of Western Regions Buddhism, displaying typical Buddhist art styles of the Western Regions. Here lies the smallest ancient Buddhist temple site ever discovered, covering an area of about 4 square meters, which is a Northern and Southern Dynasties relic, dating back 1,500-1,800 years.
History and Culture
The Damagou area was the location of the "Pimo", a small oasis country in the Western Regions during the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, and later merged into the Yutian Kingdom. The name "Damagou" is derived from the Sanskrit "Dharma" (Chinese "Damo") and the ancient Hotan language suffix "kho" denoting location, meaning "the place where Buddhist teachings gather".
This heritage group carries rich cultural connotations, including Buddhist architecture, mural art, sculpture art, Buddhist history, and cultural history of the Western Regions. The cultural relics and murals displayed in the museum confirm the records of the ancient Yutian Kingdom in Xuanzang's Great Tang Records on the Western Regions that "Buddhist pagodas stood in great numbers and monks gathered in crowds", and also prove that the Hotan area has been a place for the exchange and integration of multiple ethnic groups, cultures, and religious beliefs since ancient times.
Main Attractions
Topulukdun No.1 Buddhist Temple Site
This is the first discovered and excavated Buddhist temple. The entire temple is about 2 meters long and 1.7 meters wide, covering an area of less than 4 square meters, so it is also known as the "Small Buddhist Temple". It is inferred to have been built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties when Buddhism flourished. The main Buddha statue in the temple is close to the north wall, with its head and hands lost, about 1.4 meters high, sitting cross-legged on a lotus platform, with flowing clothes, showing typical early Western Regions Buddhist art styles. The four walls of the shrine have remaining exquisite murals, with round and plump figures, belonging to the artistic characteristics of the middle and late Tang Dynasty.
Visraman Heavenly King Mural
One of the precious murals in the museum, showing unique Buddhist art styles, with high artistic value and historical and cultural value, vividly reflecting the religious beliefs and social customs of the time.
Thousand-armed Guanyin
An important cultural relic displayed in the museum, with exquisite modeling and superb craftsmanship, reflecting the unique interpretation of the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva in ancient Buddhist art, containing deep religious and cultural connotations.
Three-string Straight-headed Pipa
One of the representative cultural relics, witnessing the development of music culture at that time, and of great significance for studying the evolution of ancient musical instruments and musical elements in Buddhist culture.
Food
There are no particularly outstanding characteristic foods in the scenic area. However, in Cele County and its surrounding areas, visitors can taste traditional Xinjiang cuisine.
Roasted Lamb Skewers
Made from fresh lamb, marinated specially, and roasted over charcoal fire. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, full of aroma, sprinkled with cumin, chili powder and other seasonings, and very delicious.
Hand-grabbed Rice
Braised with rice, lamb, carrots, onions and other ingredients. The rice is clear and separate, absorbing the fragrance of lamb and the sweetness of carrots, with rich taste, nutrition and deliciousness.
Roasted Nang
A traditional Xinjiang pasta with various flavors and shapes. It is made from flour, yeast and other raw materials, sprinkled with sesame seeds on the surface, and baked in a nang pit. It has a strong wheat fragrance, long shelf life, and is easy to carry.
Tickets
Free admission.
Opening Hours
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00, open all year round.
Tour Route
Visitors can first visit the Topulukdun No.1 Buddhist Temple Site to feel the unique charm of the smallest ancient Buddhist temple in the world and understand its historical background and architectural features; then appreciate various murals displayed in the museum, such as the Visraman Heavenly King Mural, etc., to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient mural art; then watch precious cultural relics such as the Thousand-armed Guanyin and the Three-string Straight-headed Pipa to feel the broad and profound Buddhist culture of the Western Regions from different angles.
Transportation
- Public Transportation: You can first reach Cele County, then take a bus from the county to Damagou Township. After getting off in Damagou Township, you can take a taxi or local transportation to the museum.
- Self-driving: Start from Cele County Seat, drive along National Highway 315, follow the road signs to Damagou Township. The museum is 4 kilometers away from National Highway 315 and can be reached by navigation.
Must-visit Attractions
- Topulukdun No.1 Buddhist Temple Site: The smallest ancient Buddhist temple in the world, with extremely high historical and cultural value, unique architectural style, allowing people to feel the Buddhist architectural art of the Northern and Southern Dynasties up close.
- Murals and Cultural Relics in the Museum: Such as Visraman Heavenly King Mural, Thousand-armed Guanyin, Three-string Straight-headed Pipa, etc. These are precious historical and cultural heritage with extremely high artistic value, vividly showing the style of Buddhist culture in the Western Regions.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to spend 2-3 hours visiting to fully appreciate the cultural relics and sites in the museum.
- You can follow the guide's explanation during the visit to better understand the historical and cultural knowledge behind the sites and cultural relics.
- Pay attention to protecting cultural relics, do not touch the exhibits, and abide by the museum's regulations.
Notes
- Respect the local religious beliefs and customs.
- Noise is prohibited in the museum, and a quiet visiting environment should be maintained.
- Pay attention to sun protection and sand prevention, especially in summer, when the Damagou area has strong sunlight and large sandstorms.
- Follow the specified visiting route and do not enter the unopened areas at will.