Jimusaer Thousand-Buddha Cave Scenic Area is located in Quanzi Street Township, Dayou Town, Jimusaer County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 5 kilometers southwest of the county seat. The scenic area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of the famous Buddhist cultural relics in Xinjiang. The Thousand-Buddha Cave in the scenic area was built in the Tang Dynasty, excavated and constructed against the cliff. Facing south, the existing caves are arranged east-west along the cliff, about 70 meters long, with two floors and a total of 10 caves, covering a construction area of about 1,200 square meters. Surrounded by mountains, lush trees, and murmuring streams, the scenic area features a splendid combination of natural and cultural landscapes, possessing high historical, artistic, and scientific values.
History and Culture
Jimusaer Thousand-Buddha Cave has a long history. According to research, it was first built in the Tang Dynasty and flourished during the Song and Liao periods, serving as an important Buddhist cultural site on the Silk Road. The cave originally housed a large number of exquisite Buddhist murals and statues, reflecting the high achievements of Buddhist art at that time. Historically, the Thousand-Buddha Cave was repeatedly destroyed by wars and reconstructed many times. Most of the existing buildings were constructed during the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.
Jimusaer County was an important hub of the Northern Silk Road in ancient times. As the Buddhist activity center at that time, the Thousand-Buddha Cave witnessed the cultural exchange and integration between the East and the West. It was once a holy land for monks to preach and believers to worship, leaving rich Buddhist cultural heritage. In 2007, the Thousand-Buddha Cave was listed as a cultural relic protection unit at the autonomous region level in Xinjiang, becoming important physical materials for studying the history and art of Buddhism in Xinjiang.
Main Attractions
Thousand-Buddha Cave Complex
The Thousand-Buddha Cave Complex is arranged east-west along the cliff, about 70 meters long, with 10 caves on two floors. The original Buddhist murals in the caves are rich in content, including Jataka stories, sutra illustrations, and portraits of donors, with smooth lines and bright colors, showing typical Western Regions Buddhist art styles. In the existing caves, some murals and statues have been restored. Although not in their original state, they still reveal the charm of ancient Buddhist art. The caves also preserve inscriptions by literati of past dynasties, providing important materials for studying the history of the Thousand-Buddha Cave.
Mahavira Hall
Mahavira Hall is one of the main buildings in the scenic area, located in front of the Thousand-Buddha Cave Complex, a wooden structure in the Qing Dynasty style. The hall has upturned eaves and carved beams, presenting a grand momentum. It enshrines statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Medicine Buddha, etc., with solemn shapes and kind expressions. Mahavira Hall is the main place for visitors to worship and pray, with a large number of believers and tourists coming to burn incense and make wishes every year.
Guanyin Pavilion
Guanyin Pavilion is located on the east side of Mahavira Hall, a two-story pavilion-style building. The pavilion enshrines a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the surrounding walls are painted with murals of Guanyin Bodhisattva saving the suffering. With exquisite architecture and a quiet environment, Guanyin Pavilion is an ideal place for visitors to meditate and pray. Climbing the pavilion and looking into the distance, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of the Thousand-Buddha Cave Scenic Area and the surrounding landscape.
Food
Jimusaer Potatoes
Jimusaer County is rich in potatoes, which are large, thin-skinned, tender, and high in starch content, with excellent taste. They can be made into various dishes such as beef stewed with potatoes, hot and sour potato shreds, and mashed potatoes. Among them, beef stewed with potatoes is a local specialty. The beef is soft and tasty, and the potatoes are dense and sweet, deeply loved by tourists.
Jimusaer White Noodles
White noodles are a traditional pasta in Jimusaer, hand-made with uniform thickness and chewy texture. Served with a sauce fried with mutton, carrots, onions, etc., and seasoned with vinegar and chili, they are delicious and nutritious, being one of the staple foods commonly eaten by local residents and tourists.
Baked Buns
Restaurants around the scenic area offer special baked buns, which are made with fresh mutton and onions as fillings, wrapped into squares, and baked in a naan pit. The baked buns have a crispy skin and tender filling, with a fragrant smell. As one of the characteristic foods in Xinjiang, they can be tasted by tourists during their visit.
Tickets
The ticket price for the scenic area is 40 RMB per person. Subject to the actual price of the scenic area.
As of May 24, 2025, the official WeChat public account of the scenic area has not been found.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the scenic area are 8:00-20:00 in summer and 10:00-18:00 in winter. The specific opening hours may be slightly adjusted due to seasons and weather conditions, subject to the on-site announcement of the scenic area.
Tour Routes
After entering the scenic area, visitors can first visit the Thousand-Buddha Cave Complex to understand ancient Buddhist art and historical culture; then go to Mahavira Hall to worship and pray; next visit Guanyin Pavilion and climb the pavilion to enjoy the scenery of the scenic area; finally, taste local special foods in the restaurants around the scenic area. The entire tour takes about 2-3 hours, and visitors can reasonably arrange the route according to their time and interests.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Jimusaer County Seat, drive about 5 kilometers in the direction of Quanzi Street to reach the scenic area. The scenic area has a parking lot, convenient for self-driving tourists to park.
- Bus: Take the bus to Quanzi Street in Jimusaer County, get off at the Thousand-Buddha Cave Scenic Area intersection, and walk about 1 kilometer to reach.
- Taxi: Take a taxi from Jimusaer County Seat to the scenic area, costing about 10-15 RMB.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Thousand-Buddha Cave Complex: As the core attraction of the scenic area, the murals and buildings in the complex show the achievements of ancient Buddhist art, serving as an important place to understand the history of Buddhism in Xinjiang.
- Mahavira Hall: One of the main buildings in the scenic area, with solemn Buddha statues, it is a good place for worship and prayer, and the architectural style also has high ornamental value.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended that visitors follow a guide or docent when visiting the Thousand-Buddha Cave Complex to understand the historical and cultural background of the caves, so as to better appreciate the murals and buildings.
- When visiting the scenic area in summer, pay attention to sun protection and carry sun hats, sunscreen and other items; keep warm in winter and wear thick clothes.
- The scenic area is equipped with rest areas, where visitors can take appropriate breaks during the tour to avoid excessive fatigue.
- When tasting local foods, choose regular restaurants to ensure food hygiene and safety.
Notes
- Respect religious beliefs and customs, and keep quiet when entering the hall without noise or disturbance.
- Take care of cultural relics and historic sites, do not touch or damage murals and statues, and do not take photos in caves (if there are no-photo signs).
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the environment of the scenic area clean.
- Some sections in the scenic area are steep, so pay attention to safety when walking, especially for visitors with elderly people and children.
- In case of bad weather or special circumstances, the scenic area may be temporarily closed. It is recommended that visitors pay attention to the scenic area announcements or consult in advance by phone before traveling.