Pictures of Kuqa / Kucha

Kuqa / Kucha

Kuqa (Kucha) was an important stage of the Silk Road as well as a Buddhist center. It is the hometown of Kumarajiva who translated several Buddhist sutras from Sanskrit to Chinese. The city once had many Buddhist temples.The Kuqa Mosque is the second largest mosque in Xinjiang, built in the 17th century, but after being burnt, it was rebuilt in 1931. The large prayer hall, which can hold 1,000 prayers, is supported by 88 pillars with carved motifs. Kuqa also offers the ruins of Qiuci an ancient feudal kingdom.In the vicinity of Kuqa, we will find Kizil’s thousand Buddha grottoes made in the 3rd century and devoid of any Chinese influence.