Kizil Caves

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"Tocharian donors", with light hair and light eye color, dressed in Sassanian style, 6th century CE fresco, Qizil, Tarim Basin.

The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves) are a set of 236 Buddhist caves located 75 kilometres northwest of Kucha on the northern bank of the Muzat River in Baicheng County, Xinjiang province, China.

The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China, with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries. Although the site has been both damaged and looted, at least 1000 square metres of wall paintings - mostly Jataka stories - remain.

See also

• Kucha
• Mogao Caves

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