Maijishan Grottoes

The Maijishan Grottoes are one of China's famous grotto art treasures and are known as the "Oriental Sculpture Exhibition Hall". They are known as one of the four major grottoes in China along with the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, and the Yungang Grottoes in Datong. Geographical location and origin of the name The Maijishan Grottoes are located on the branch of Xiaolong Mountain at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains, 30 kilometers southeast of Tianshui City, Gansu Province. It is located in the upper reaches of the Wei River and is known as "Jiangnan on the Long Mountains". Its name comes from the shape of the mountain. From a distance, the lower part of the mountain is smaller, the middle part is more prominent, and the top is gathered into a cone shape, resembling a farmer's haystack, hence the name. Excavation History The excavation of Maijishan Grottoes began in the Sixteen Kingdoms Period (384-417), and continued to be built through more than ten dynasties, including the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, forming a large-scale grotto complex. Among them, the Northern Wei Dynasty was one of the peak periods for the excavation of the Maijishan Grottoes. There are 221 caves, 3,938 statues and more than 1,000 square meters of murals in the Maijishan Grottoes. The statues and murals in the grottoes showcase the artistic style of more than 1,600 years from the Later Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, and the works from different eras have different styles. For example: • During the Later Qin and Northern Wei dynasties: statues had high noses, deep eyes, broad shoulders and thin waists, and a simple style. • Western Wei Dynasty: The characters are beautiful and dignified, with loose clothes and wide belts. • Northern Zhou and Sui Dynasties: The statues are graceful and plump, with fine folds in the clothes. • Tang Dynasty: Characters have gentle faces and brightly colored clothing. • Song Dynasty: The statues became more beautiful and delicate, with realistic and smooth styles. Among them, the little monk statue in Cave 133 is famous for its innocent "smile", and the statue in Cave 44 is called the "Oriental Beauty" for its kind and peaceful smile. They are the iconic works of Maijishan Grottoes. Artistic Features Maijishan Grottoes are dominated by clay sculptures and is one of the areas with the richest preservation of clay sculptures in Chinese grottoes. The statues have diverse styles, influenced by Indian Buddhist art and incorporating Chinese local art elements, forming a unique artistic style. In addition, the plank road of Maijishan Grottoes is also one of its major features. The plank road was built in sections, staggered and rising in a zigzag shape, adapting to the complex mountain terrain. Protection and Restoration Because it is located in a forest area and has a rainy and humid climate, the statues and murals of the Maijishan Grottoes are prone to hollowing, cracking, fading and other diseases. In recent decades, cultural relics protection workers have effectively protected the grottoes through measures such as reinforcement and restoration, water seepage control and biological control. The Maijishan Grottoes are not only a treasure of ancient Chinese art, but also an important cultural heritage on the Silk Road. It bears witness to the spread and development of Buddhist art in China and has extremely high historical and artistic value.