Kizil-Kargha Caves

Kizil-Kargha Caves Situated at the southern part of Salt Water Valley 11 kilometers to the northwest of Kucha City, the caves were excavated at the cliffs or hummocks on both sides of the lap of the mountain in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and Tang Dynasty. Among listed 47 caves, most are monks’ rooms, and murals are preserved very well in 11 caves. Among these murals portraits of the kings of Qiuci and family members as donors of the caves are very characteristic. These murals and their themes are basically in Qiuci style. The No.12 cave is unique in shape. It is worshiping cave with a heptangular flat roof. There is a center pillar in its center, corridors along the left and right sides and a tunnel through its back wall. This type of cave is unique in Qiuci. Now it is listed as a major cultural site under the autonomous region protection.