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Dong Huang stands as a pivotal landmark in the history of Chinese Buddhism. It not only reflects the ancient cultural heritage but also signifies the flourishing development of Buddhism along the Silk Road. Among its treasures lies the Hang Mac Cao complex in the southeastern part of Dong Huang, storing a vast amount of historical and societal documents from that era. Let's explore the unique architectural marvels transcending time at Hang Mac Cao with Mytour!
About Hang Mac Cao
It's no exaggeration to say that China is the cradle of East Asian culture. This populous nation boasts a history spanning over 5000 illustrious years and possesses various distinct cultural heritages. Among them, Dong Huang is not only associated with the ancient Buddhist philosophy but also served as a hub for commerce along the Silk Road. However, the new architectural endeavors serve as the most vivid evidence of Dong Huang's cultural significance. And Hang Mac Cao is a prime example of this millennia-old cultural heritage.
Stone sculptures of Buddha intricately carved by the creative hands of humans (Image Source: Collected)
Where is Hang Mac Cao located?
Hang Mac Cao, also known as the Cave of Thousand Buddhas or Celestial Buddha Cave, is situated in the province of Cam Tuc, China, approximately 25km southeast of the city center of Dong Huang. In 1987, Hang Mac Cao was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.
The birth of Hang Mac Cao
According to historical records, the emergence of Hang Mac Cao is closely tied to the propagation of Buddhist teachings. Although Buddhism originated from Indian culture, its most splendid development occurred in China due to its robust spread through the rocky mountains of Ha Tay province. Thus, Dong Huang became the everlasting 'holy land' of Buddhism. In the 7th century, Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty reached its pinnacle of prosperity.
Moreover, ancient tales of Dong Huang narrate that there was once an emperor named Lac Ton who visited the land of Dong Huang. From atop the mountain, he witnessed a brilliant radiance shining gloriously yet solemnly. In that moment, he saw hundreds of Buddhas appearing on the mountain peak. He believed this place to be the 'holy land of Buddhism.' Carrying reverence for Buddhism, Master Tu Lac recounted this to some people and together they began carving caves into the mountainside.
The birth of Hang Mac Cao is intricately linked with the history of Chinese Buddhism (Image Source: Collected)
The first rock cave where the ancient emperor supposedly meditated is yet to be definitively confirmed. However, that is no longer crucial. Enlightenment from the teachings of Buddhism became the path to true practice. The abandonment of worldly desires and the immersion into deep forests for ascetic practices, enduring hardships, became the sole purpose of the monks. Thus, numerous rock caves were intricately carved over many years to testify to this.
The intersection of multiple cultures
During the excavation of the caves, archaeologists unearthed countless exquisite murals and meticulously carved Buddha statues on the cave walls. Furthermore, Hang Mac Cao is situated right on the crossroads of the 'Silk Road' - the connecting point between the West and the East. Hence, the caves became a focal point, where various cultures and religions from around the world intersect.
Foreign art forms and Chinese art intertwine at Hang Mac Cao. Therefore, Mac Cao Rock Cave becomes an invaluable artistic treasure trove with unparalleled masterpieces of sculpture and murals in the world.
The rock cave still preserves nearly 500 caves and 50,000 square meters of murals along with two thousand statue chambers intact (Image Source: Collected)
Despite enduring numerous historical ups and downs and the ravages of war, the cave still preserves nearly 500 intact caves with about 50,000 square meters of murals and over two thousand ancient statue chambers. The statues here come in various forms, reflecting the rich cultural essence of Dong Huang. Most of these murals are imbued with Buddhist motifs, depicting figures like Buddha Shakyamuni, Bodhisattvas, Celestial Emperors, and more.
Moreover, Mac Cao Rock Cave boasts many sculptures and murals reflecting ancient societal life through jewelry, clothing, architecture, and adornments. Hence, Western scholars view the murals and sculptures at Hang Mac Cao as a 'Rock Wall Museum'.
History of Hang Mac Cao Formation
Hang Mac Cao is the largest preserved Buddhist art treasure trove in the world. When visiting the cave, tourists not only marvel at the exquisite murals and sculptures but also have the opportunity to learn about Buddhist art.
The construction of Mac Cao Cave officially began with the placement of the first stone in 366 and continued throughout many dynasties. In the following year, the number of caves increased rapidly to a dizzying extent. By the time of the Tang Dynasty, China had over a thousand caves.
Today, Hang Mac Cao has become a vast cultural treasure preserved and maintained by the Chinese government. Due to the increasing number of visitors to the rock caves, authorities have constructed an additional art exhibition center at the foot of Tam Nguy Mountain.
Distinctive Architecture of Hang Mac Cao
Exterior Architecture of the Cave
During tours of Dong Huang, China, visitors easily encounter rock caves scattered everywhere. Hang Mac Cao stretches 1600 meters with 492 caves. It houses over 45,000 square meters of murals and 2,415 sculpted statues, along with 5 wooden houses from the Tang and Song dynasties. The rock cave terrain faces west, looking towards the east. In front of the main rock cave lies the majestic Tam Nguy Mountain and a river flowing across.
Hang Mac Cao is situated in a prime location surrounded by mountains and rivers (Image Source: Collected)
Many Feng Shui experts believe: 'Hang Mac Cao possesses an advantageous terrain with surrounding mountains and rivers, facing the favorable wind. This demonstrates firmness and stability like the mountains yet retains the tranquil nature of water.' Additionally, the rock cave also has excellent light-blocking capabilities when sunlight shines into the entire cave.
Interior Architecture of the Cave
The interior architecture of Mac Cao Rock Cave is designed with wooden structures, stone columns resembling lotus flowers, tiled floors, and thousands of giant fabric panels. If all the murals were connected, they would form a mural corridor stretching up to 25km. The deeper we venture into Hang Mac Cao, the more we marvel at the 'infinite' creativity of ancient people.
The interior architecture is mainly designed with tiled floors, wood, and thousands of colorful fabric panels (Image Source: Collected)
Furthermore, inside the cave, approximately 50,000 copies of the Buddhist scriptures and handwritten historical documents are preserved. Among them are thousands of silk paintings, murals, embroidery, and some other calligraphic works.
Although the historical stories and legends about Mac Dao Cave remain a mystery awaiting unraveling, Hang Mac Cao remains a masterpiece of culture and architecture 'transcending all ages'. Only by stepping into Mac Dao Cave can visitors truly understand the profound influence of Buddhist art on China. Beyond being a spiritual destination, Mac Cao Cave is also the largest precious cultural treasure of the populous nation. So why wait? Pick up the phone and call the Mytour hotline to book a tour of China at an incredible price with Mytour!
