[Millennium Grottoes, Inheritance of Craftsmanship] Visit Bingling Temple Grottoes- the first Yellow River Grottoes on the Silk Road

The Bingling Temple Grottoes, located on the banks of the Yellow River, represent the first grottoes along the Silk Road, boasting a history of over 1,600 years. In an interview, He Yanjun, the director of the Gansu Bingling Temple Cultural Relics Protection Research Institute, emphasized the grottoes’ significance as one of the most important Buddhist rock cave temples along the Silk Road.

As visitors approach, they are greeted by the striking landscape of the Danxia rock formations of Xiaojishi Mountain, which beautifully complements the flowing waters of the Yellow River. “Bingling Temple, derived from the Tibetan word ‘Xianba Benlang,’ means ‘Ten Thousand Maitreya Islands,'” He explained. Throughout various historical periods, this site has seen names like “Tangshu Cave” during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and “Lingyan Temple” or “Longxing Temple” in the Tang Dynasty, ultimately being referred to as Bingling Temple from the Song Dynasty onward.

Historical records indicate that as early as the Western Jin Dynasty, there were already religious activities in the Dasi Gully where the Bingling Temple Grottoes are situated, and significant construction began during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Over the centuries, the grottoes have been built and renovated under various dynasties including the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Western Xia, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, with Tang Dynasty marking the peak of grotto creation.

“Across eleven dynasties, by the end of the 19th century, the Bingling Temple Grottoes had developed into a unique group featuring a coexistence of Han and Tibetan artistic styles. Today, there are 216 grottoes of varying sizes, housing 815 sculptures and nearly 1,000 square meters of murals,” He noted. These murals and sculptures are rich in content and diverse in themes, earning the grottoes the title of “the Encyclopedia of Chinese Caves.”

He highlighted the geological significance of the site, explaining that the Xiaojishi Mountain is formed of red sandstone from the Cretaceous period. “This fine-grained sandstone is relatively soft, making it easier for carving the sculptures,” He remarked. The grottoes mainly feature stone-carved statues, with some clay sculptures as well. Among the various niches, Cave 169 stands out, containing an inscription from the year 415 during the Western Qin period—currently the oldest known dated inscription found in any Chinese grotto.

As for the preservation of these historic structures, He stressed the importance of safeguarding the grottoes since their opening to the public. The caves were declared a key cultural relic by the State Council in 1961, and they are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor.”

He explained the evolution of preservation efforts, stating that from the mid-20th century until the 1970s, the primary focus was on protection to ensure the grottoes’ safety. However, the approach has evolved into a dual focus on both preservation and research. In 2017, the Gansu Bingling Temple Cultural Relics Protection Research Institute was integrated under the management of the Dunhuang Academy.

“Our preservation philosophy has fundamentally shifted to emphasize both emergency and preventive protection,” He noted. “To effectively protect the grottoes, we must also safeguard their surrounding environment.” He mentioned that they are currently developing a comprehensive and systematic protection plan, conducting scientific investigations, and mitigating potential natural disasters.

“With the support of high-tech professionals and technologies through the Dunhuang Academy, the preservation efforts at Bingling Temple Grottoes have seen substantial improvement, progressively moving toward a scientific and technologically advanced approach,” He concluded.