Two significant Buddhist cave complexes located along the ancient Silk Road in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of northwest China have opened to the public for the first time.

The Ya'er Lake Grottoes, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of Turpan, welcomed visitors on April 5, 2025, following a year of restoration efforts and digital upgrades aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.

The Ya'er Lake Grottoes are comprised of 22 caves dating back to the fifth century, featuring intricate Buddhist murals and inscriptions in various languages, including Chinese and Old Uygur.

The caves are arranged in two distinct tiers, with an upper level that served as meditation spaces and a lower level likely utilized as living quarters.

Currently, Cave 4 and Cave 7 are open for public viewing.

The grottoes are part of the Jiaohe Ruins, recognized as one of the largest and best-preserved ancient clay cities globally, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. Wang Jiandong, who oversees the administrative office of the Jiaohe Ruins, highlighted that the digital enhancements employed during the restoration process allow visitors to engage with the artistic heritage of the grottoes through immersive virtual experiences paired with physical artifacts.

The inclusion of the ancient Silk Road on the UNESCO World Heritage list was the result of a joint application involving China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in 2014. Among the 33 sites listed, China hosts 22, while Kazakhstan has eight and Kyrgyzstan three.

The historic trade route, which began in Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, served as a crucial corridor for cultural and commercial interaction between Asia and Europe.

Additionally, four caves from the Shengjinkou Grottoes located just 40 kilometers away also opened to the public on the same day, with a capacity to accommodate 300 visitors daily.

This site features 13 caves dating back to the seventh century that have yielded significant archaeological discoveries, including murals, woodware, pottery, fabrics, and silk paintings.

China has invested approximately 29.79 million yuan (about 4.14 million U.S. dollars) in various conservation initiatives since 2012 that include stabilization efforts and mural restoration, paving the way for the public unveiling of the Shengjinkou Grottoes.

With these recent openings, Turpan now offers the most accessible cave sites in Xinjiang, including a total of 14 known grotto sites in the Turpan Basin, collectively comprising over 400 caves.

Historically, Turpan was a pivotal hub on the ancient Silk Road, and its grottoes embody a unique confluence of Buddhist traditions, underscoring its historical significance as a center that connected Central Asia and China.