QIUCIGROTTOES

龟兹石窟是西域古国龟兹故地（今新疆阿克苏地区）石窟的总称，包括克孜尔石窟、库木吐喇石窟、克孜尔尕哈石窟、森木塞姆石窟、阿艾石窟等。石窟的年代大致在公元3至8世纪间，现存洞窟700余个，壁画1万余平方米。公元3、4世纪建造的“龟兹式”中心柱窟和大像窟颇具特色，影响了此后的敦煌及以东地区。龟兹壁画以别具一格的菱格形式绘制的佛教故事画为主，分为龟兹风、汉风和回鹘风三种风格，呈现多元文化交融的特点。

Generally referring to grottoes on the former territory of Qiuci（now Aksu，Xinjiang），an ancient kingdom in the Western Regions，Qiuci Grottoes include Kizil Grottoes，Kumtura Grottoes，Kezilgaha Grottoes，Simsim Grottoes and A-ai Grottoes，etc.Now，over 700 grottoes and murals of more than 10,000 square meters created mostly between the 3rd and the 8th century A.D.have survived.The Central Pillar Grottoes of the“Qiuci type”and the Giant Statue Grottoes built in the 3rd and 4th century A.D.are quite characteristic，having significant influence on Dunhuang and areas further eastward.Qiuci murals describe stories of Buddhism in unique diamond lattices and present diversified culture features through styles of Qiuci，Han and Uyghur.