22 World Heritage sites in China along the Silk Road

The Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves sit on the cliffs on the northern bank of the Muzat River, 7 kilometers southeast of Kizil town, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.Cut in the third century to eighth or ninth century, it is the earliest Buddhist art treasure trove in China, a whole century earlier than the famous Mogao Grottoes. Currently there are 236 coded caves preserved, which are divided into west and inner valley and rear mountain areas extending to over 3 kilometers.[Photo/CFP]