In an effort to relieve tension on protection of Mogao Grottoes in Duhuang aroused from seasonal imbalance of tourists, relevant authorities opened another five grottoes which were never available to tourists before to the public recently.

These five newly opened grottoes include the No. 290, No. 296, No. 407, No. 196 and No. 9 ones which have high artistic value and are typical of the period from the North Zhou Dynasty (557-581AD) to the late Tang Dynasty (618AD-907AD).

Tourists can still visit grottoes which were opened before. The Buddhist scriptures library, the Dunhuang Academy history & Mr. Chang Shuhong memorial hall, and the cultural relic protection and exhibition center will remain open too. Admission fees for Dunhuang Singing Sands Mountain and Crescent Spring offer a 50% discount over that of high seasons.

As a world renowned cultural heritage site, Dunhuang's Mogao Grottoes has nearly 500 existing caves. Also known as "Pearl of the Oriental Art" and Thousand-Buddha Cave, Mogao Grottoes were initially chiseled in 366AD. After caverning from the Sixteen Kingdoms period (304-436AD) through the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1367AD), Mogao Grottoes formed a large stone grotto cluster affluent in contents.

Dunhuang Academy suggested domestic and foreign tourists visit Mogao Grottoes in winter or spring, when there are fewer visitors. Visitors will have more time to enjoy broad space in the grottos, listen to illustrations, and carefully watch the fine frescos and statues.

(Chinanews.cn November 25, 2005)