Atlas of China
Simsim Caves 森木塞姆千佛洞Sēnmùsàimǔ Qiānfódòng
National heritage site · Aksu, Xinjiang
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Aksu
- Region
- Xinjiang
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- National heritage site
About Simsim Caves
Simsim is the easternmost of the Kucha cave groups: 52 caves spread over about 800 m at the mouth of a gorge in the Qoltag hills, cut from around the 4th century and abandoned by about the 9th. Its murals show Kuchean, Chinese and later Uyghur styles, and some square caves have a distinctive lotus-petal lantern ceiling, though many caves are badly damaged.
How to get to Simsim Caves
About 35 km by road north-east of Kuqa, near Yaha township; the caves have mainly been opened for arranged specialist visits, so check access before going.
Nearby
Also within 20 km: Subashi Temple Ruins 苏巴什佛寺遗址 (under 10 km).
On the map
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