Simsim Caves

Simsim Caves Excavated during the Wei-Jin and Sui-Tang Dynasties, Simsim is the biggest caves temple in eastern territory of ancient Qiuci, 45 kilometers northeast to Kucha. In Uygur, Simsim means purpling fountain. The listed 54 caves scatter on the circular hill about 700 meters in diameter, including eastern, southern, western, northern and middle parts. There are worship halls, lecturing and monk’s rooms here. The themes of murals are as same as that of the Kizil Caves in style. Among the caves in ancient Qiuci area, animal murals feature largely in the Simsim Caves. Now the Simsim caves is major cultural site under state protection.