Mogao Caves, Grotto Culture.

Check in at Mogao Caves ​I visited all the caves ​But no photos are allowed inside Dunhuang Mogao Caves is the world's longest-lasting, largest, and best-preserved Buddhist grotto. It is one of the four most famous grottoes in China, along with Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan, and Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui. In March 1961, the State Council listed it as one of the first national key cultural relics protection units due to its precious historical, scientific, and artistic value. Dunhuang Grottoes include Mogao Caves, Western Thousand Buddha Caves, Yulin Caves in Guazhou, Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves, Shuixiakou Lower Cave Grottoes, Five Temple Grottoes in Subei, One Temple Grottoes, and Changma Grottoes in Yumen. As the artistic styles of the grottoes are similar, and the main Mogao Caves are located in ancient Dunhuang County, which was the political, economic, and cultural center of the region, they are collectively known as Dunhuang Grottoes. Mogao Caves is the most famous of these grottoes. The entire group of caves is carved into the cliffs on the eastern slope of Mingsha Mountain, 25 km southeast of present-day Dunhuang City. The caves face east and stretch about 1,680 meters from north to south. Since August 1, 2014, to "utilize and protect" the world cultural heritage, Mogao Caves has adopted a new visiting model. All visitors must make a reservation in advance to visit Mogao Caves. Visitors first go to the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center to watch two high-definition digital films combining advanced digital technology and ancient grotto art for about 60 minutes. The films include the theme film "Millennium Mogao," which introduces the historical and cultural background of Mogao Caves, and the dome film "Dream Buddha Palace," which features a virtual tour of the essence caves of Mogao Caves from different eras. Visitors can experience the murals of Mogao Caves through the multimedia digital dome theater before visiting the caves in person. This visiting model helps reduce the time visitors spend in the caves, reduces the pressure on cultural relic protection, increases the visitor capacity of Mogao Caves, and helps visitors better appreciate Dunhuang art.