麦积山导游词参考
篇一：麦积山导游词
麦积山，地处天水市东南方50公里的北道区麦积山乡南侧，是西秦岭山脉小陇山中的一座孤峰。麦积山风景名胜区总面积215平方公里，包括麦积山、仙人崖、石门、曲溪四大景区和街亭古镇，麦积山石窟为中国四大石窟之一，其它三窟为：敦煌莫高窟，龙门石窟、云冈石窟。麦积山石窟属全国重点文物保护单位，也是闻名世界的艺术宝库。
麦积山为典型的丹霞地貌，因形如农家麦垛而得名，山崖拔地而起，高80米，山势险峻，周围绿树成林，环境清幽。西汉末年，麦积山已成为天水名将隗嚣的避暑宫。这里松桧阴森，横云飞渡，烟雾团绕，碧水长流，“其青云之半，峭壁之间，镌石成佛，石龛千室”，荟萃着后秦、西秦、北魏、西魏、北周、隋、唐、五代、宋、元、明、清等十多个朝代的塑像7200余尊，壁画1300多平方米，分布在194个洞窟里，与敦煌莫高窟、大同云岗石窟、洛阳龙门石窟一样，有着珍贵的艺术宝藏。如果就艺术特色来分，敦煌侧重于绚丽的壁画，云岗、龙门著名于壮丽的石刻，而麦积山则以精美的塑像闻名于世。正如我国雕塑家刘开渠所赞美的：麦积山是“我国历代的一个大雕塑馆。”
麦积山历史悠久，早在1600年前就享有盛名。五代人撰写的《玉堂闲话》中说：“麦积山者，北跨清渭，南渐两当，五百里冈峦，麦积处其半，崛起一石块，高百丈寻，望之团团，如民间积麦之状，故有此名”。杜甫有诗赞曰：“野寺残僧少，山圆细路高。麝香眠石竹，鹦鹉啄金桃。乱石通人过，悬崖置屋牢，上方重阁晚，百里见秋毫。”麦积山石窟是随着丝绸之路的畅通，从十六国后秦时期开始营造的。据《梁高僧传》载，南宋永初年间，高僧昙弘禅居麦积山，不久名僧玄高继至，二人共住寺院，常有学徒300余人。西魏时，魏文帝原配皇后乙弗氏在这里死后，“凿麦积崖为龛而葬。”北周保定、天和年间，秦州大都督李允信为其亡父造七佛阁，曾请庚信为他写了一篇《秦州天水郡麦积崖佛龛铭并序》。隋文帝仁寿四年，秦州使在麦积山顶修建高9.4米的七级宝塔一座，相传为阿育王84000宝塔之一。至今宝塔仍巍然屹立在山顶，不过只存五级，并系近年重修。
当人们进入麦积山风景区后，首先映入眼帘的是凭崖而凿的一组雕刻造像。中间一座佛，高达15米，左右两尊菩萨侍立，喜笑颜开，迎送来往游客。行至山前，抬头仰望，只见龛窟密如峰房，依窟建檐，层层相叠。栈道云梯修建于悬崖，浅龛深窟开凿于峭壁，其建筑高超雄伟，工程奇险浩大，令人赞绝。历代游客诗人，虽惊慕不已，敢于攀至顶端者却少如凤毛麟角。唯心史观有五代诗人王仁裕斗胆攀登，才写下了：“蹑尽悬崖万仞梯，等闲身与白云齐；檐前下视群山小，堂上平分落日低；绝顶路危人少到，古岩松健鹤频栖；天边为要留名姓，拂石殷勤手自题。”的切身感观。不过，现在的麦积山经过大规模的加固修整和栈道修复，摇摇欲坠的崖体已经稳定，山上栈道也宽阔整齐，安全可靠，昔日王仁裕笔下的险恶情景早已成为历史。人们可以放心大胆地登游各个崖阁，随心所欲地进入各个洞窟，感情奔放地远眺山下美景。
麦积山高达142米，石窟多凌空凿于20至70米高的悬崖峭壁上，有崖阁、摩窟、摩崖龛、山楼、走廊。窟形有人字坡顶、方塌四面坡顶、拱楣、穹顶、方楣平顶、方楣覆斗藻井、方形平顶、圆形小浅龛、盂顶。这些不同类型的窟龛、崖阁，是研究中西文化交流和建筑结构演变、发展的实物资料。据记载，当年开凿石窟时，从下堆积木材，达到高处，然后施工，营造一层，木材拆除一层，直到山脚。相传，李允信为其亡父造七佛阁时，就动用人工40万个。直到现在，当地还流传有：“砍完南山柴，修起麦积崖”，“先有万丈柴，后有麦积崖”的民谣。就连美国首批游客在1947年《和平日报》中也称赞麦积山石窟是“全世界七大工程又增其一”。
麦积山石窟，原是一个完整的山体，唐开元二十二年，天水一带发生强烈地震，使崖面中间部分塌毁，整个窟群便分为东崖和西崖两部分。东崖现存洞窟54个，西崖140个。由于麦积山石质皆为紫褐色之水成子母岩，不宜精雕细镂，所以大多采用泥塑和绘画。麦积山塑像，主要题材有佛、菩萨、弟子、天王、力士等，尽管各代塑像同处一堂，但并不因袭模仿，而是保持着各自的时代特色，系统地反映了我国泥塑艺术的发展、演变过程。无论是高达15米的巨像，还是只有0.3米的小像，都给人以美感。苏联雕塑家尼·克林杜霍夫在参观麦积山塑像后，激动地说：“北魏和宋的雕塑在我看来是最引人入胜的。它们具有惊人的内心世界，极富表现力的构图和雄伟的形体。”
麦积山塑像有数千身，这里只能指出几件较有代表性的杰作，起“窥一斑而知全豹”的作用。东崖造像，最壮丽的是4号窟上七佛阁。7间佛龛里有42尊菩萨塑像，神态庄严可亲，华美而不俗，充满着人间善良、慈祥和世俗的感情。各龛间都装饰着天龙八部的浮塑，面容狞怪而不丑恶，表现了男性的健美、威严、正直、勇猛、坚毅的性格。与上七佛阁紧接的5号窟，名曰“牛儿堂”。中间龛门前有一摩醯首罗天，站在一只卧着的犊牛身上。这个牛儿，塑造得相当动人：圆圆的眼，顽皮地注视前言，脚虽蟠曲着，却似乎要跃起的样子，松弛的颈上垂着的皮，也象在动着。不仅身形姿态具备了牛的特征，最出色的是把一只犊牛所具有的稚气和活泼表现出来了，当地农人非常喜爱，称为“金蹄银角的牛娃”。在牛儿堂西端有一可容一人通过，长约10米的隧道，门顶刻有：“小有洞天”四个字。相传在明朝古历四月初八的一天，秦州有个州官，游麦积山庙会，一时兴起，想从七佛阁的摆渡铁链上，用鹞子翻身的纵跃姿势，游荡到牛儿堂去，居然成功了。可是当他站稳在牛儿堂，定睛向下观看，只见悬崖陡立，山谷人群如同蚂蚁，顿时头晕目眩，腿软抖战，再也不敢迈步了。众衙役只得火速请 来一群石匠凿开了一个小洞，州官才从洞里爬了过来，至今当地还有“鹞子翻身，牛儿堂”的说法。
在西崖的石窟中，以133号和127号石窟为最大。133号碑洞，是麦积山最特殊的一个洞窟。洞中不仅有许多泥塑作品，而且有18块石碑，有几块碑面密列贤动千佛小佛像，因此又称“万佛堂”。其中10号、11号、16号为众碑之精华。127号窟更为精彩，四壁及藻井壁画大部皆存，笔致纵放，为后魏作风。中绘佛说法图，千乘万骑来听。西画舍身饲虎图，虎有12，形态各异，堪称精品。尤其正壁龛中一石雕佛，最为妙绝，石佛背光中，上部伎乐天人12，各奏乐器。下部有飞天8个。左右各一侍者，虽小而各具神态。卷涡莲花中，亦有莲花生小佛头。中间坐佛，举掌端坐，显出说法时的慈祥和悦。这座雕像，不要说在麦积山中，就是在世界佛教艺术中，都是稀有的珍品。
麦积山周围还有几个引人入胜的风景点。如麦积山后崖三扇崖下的雕巢峪，是西汉末年，雄居天水自称西州上将军隗嚣的避署宫。当年的避暑宫，亭台楼阁错落，曲道回廊相连，琉璃碧瓦泻翠，红墙金龙辉映，三檐四簇雕凤，花影翠竹婆娑，银练珠玑飞溅。随着时间的流逝，金碧焕彩的避暑宫早已绝迹，只有三扇崖下高40米左右的飞瀑、古柏苍松、嶙嶙怪石、奇花芳草、珍禽异兽尚存，组成处处有景，景景迷人的自然景观。
1982年，麦积山以甘肃麦积山风景名胜区的名义，被国务院批准列入第一批国家级风景名胜区名单。
石窟文化
麦积山石窟保留有大量的宗教、艺术、建筑等方面的.实物资料，丰富了中国古代文化史。
一、 宗教
以佛教为主，反映了三佛、七佛，西方净土等内容，从壁画和雕刻石碑中反映佛本生和佛传故事是佛教文学的一种重要形式，如睒子本生、萨陲那太子舍身饲虎、涅盘等。通过对佛、菩萨、飞天等形象的塑作，反映了佛教对现实世界的精神启迪。
二、 艺术
真实地反映了那个时代艺术家对美好生活的无限向往和审美取向。北魏造像秀骨清俊，睿智的微笑，暗含着对恐怖现实的蔑视，对人生荣辱的淡忘和超脱世俗之后的潇洒与轻松；西魏、北周造像的温婉和淳厚，沉醉于对现实生活的追求和对佛国世界的向往；隋唐造像丰
满细腻；宋代造像衣纹写实，面貌庄重。麦积山艺术以泥塑见长。艺术家们扬弃了以往那种斤斤计较的细部讲究，而把感染力提到了统率一切的高度，神情动人，富有生活气息。从麦积山各时代造像可窥见当时艺匠们突破佛教的清规戒律，以现实生活中的人物为主要素材，加以艺术的夸张、想象、概括、提炼而创作出来的具有浓郁生活气息的宗教人物：佛、菩萨、弟子、供养人等形象。第121窟中窃窃私语的佛弟子，第123窟中童男、童女所表现的虔诚，不是苦行者的虔诚，而是在时代思潮影响下的童稚般的真诚和愉悦。所以，麦积山塑像受当地社会环境的影响使其表现了当地的人与情，使佛教造像好像在生活中似曾相识，使人感觉佛国世界的可亲可爱，从而虔诚信奉。
麦积山石窟也曾是“有龛皆是佛、无壁不飞天”，但由于多雨潮湿，壁画大多剥落，但仍保留北朝时期的西方净土变、涅磐变、地狱变及睒子本生、萨陲那太子舍身饲虎等本生故事、壁画中描绘的城池、殿宇、车骑和衣冠服饰多具有汉文化特色，反映这一时期的现实生活。尤其是飞天，多彩多姿更具特色，有泥塑、雕刻、绘画以及薄肉塑四种形式的飞天。虽然飞天的故乡在印度，但麦积山的飞天却是中外文化共同孕育的艺术结晶，是印度佛教天人和中国道教神仙融合而成的中国文化的飞天。她没有翅膀，没有羽毛，她是借助云彩而不依靠云彩，只凭借飘曳的衣裙、飞舞的彩带，凌空翱翔的美丽少女，是中国古代艺术家最具天才的杰作。同时，在壁画、雕塑中也同样反映舞蹈、乐器、为研究国古代音乐等方面提供了宝贵的资料。
三、建筑艺术
麦积山石窟开凿在悬崖峭壁之上，洞窟“密如蜂房”，栈道“凌空飞架”，层层相叠，其惊险陡峻为世罕见，形成一个宏伟壮观的立体建筑群。其仿木殿堂式石雕崖阁独具特色，雄浑壮丽。洞窟多为佛殿式而无中心柱窟，明显带有地方特色。
麦积山石窟群中最宏伟，最壮丽的一座建筑是第四窟上七佛龛，又称“散花楼”，位于东崖大佛上方，距地面经约八十米，为七间八柱庑殿式结构，高约九米，面阔三十米，进深八米，分前廊后室两部分。立柱为八棱大柱，覆莲瓣形柱础，建筑构件无不精雕细琢，体现了北周时期建筑技术的日臻成熟。后室由并列七个四角攒尖式帐形龛组成，帐幔层层重叠，龛内柱、梁等建筑构件均以浮雕表现。因而，麦积山第四窟的建筑是全国各石窟中最大的一座摹仿中国传统建筑形式的洞窟，是研究北朝木构建筑的重要资料，真正如实地表现了南北朝后期已经中国化了的佛殿的外部和内部面貌，在石窟发展史上具有重要的意义。 121窟：
方位：
西崖上层西端。
时代：
北魏晚期，宋重修。
窟形：
覆斗藻井平面方形窟。窟内正、左、右壁开尖拱深龛；窟高2.55米，宽2.36米，深2.15 米。
造像：
三壁龛内各塑一佛。正龛内左、右壁中门内两侧塑二力士。佛上半身为宋代重塑，下身衣裙搭于座前呈三瓣式下垂，结跏跌坐于方台上，弟子穿袈裟，下着裙。左弟子塔螺旋发髻。菩萨着褒衣博带式袈裟。菩萨与弟子紧紧相依，面带笑意，双手合掌于胸前，作拍手状，似在窃窃私语，会心交谈，犹如现实生活中一对亲姐弟一般，充满着青春活力与动人的情感，使人位感自然与亲切。力士头部宋代重修。左力士袒上身，下着裙，披巾于腹部穿圆、交叉，左手持金刚杆而立，右手提风带，右力士着宽袖上衣，下着长裙，垂手而立，身穿护身铠甲，刚健雄武，具有一种威严震慑的气魄。此窟为北魏晚期代表性重要沿窟之一。
壁画：佛、菩萨彩绘背光，项光。藻井壁画，大部剥落，均被烟熏黑，仅飞天飘带，隐约可见。
篇二：麦积山石窟英语导游词Maiji Caves
Maiji Caves
Located 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) southeast of Tianshui City in Gansu Province, Maiji Mountain rises up abruptly 142 meters (about 155 yards) from the landscape. The people named the mountain 'Maiji' because it resembles a stack of wheat straw (mai meaning wheat, and ji meaning stack). On the sheer cliff that marks the southwest side of Maiji Mountain, people have labored for centuries carving niches and caves, giving rise to what is known today as the Maiji Caves. Inside the caves are clay statues, whose heights vary from 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) to 15 meters (over 49 feet). Besides 194 Buddhist caves and niches, containing more than 7, 200 clay statues, there are also murals of over 1, 300 square meters (about 1, 555 square yards) in the Maiji Caves as well. These statues are works of art that reflect ancient craftsmanship and dedication to the Buddhist ideal. Rarely can one find caves and statues carved over sheer cliffs in China, and this is one of the most distinguishing features of Maiji Caves. Being carved on the cliff, these caves are connected by plank roads that hang precariously along the face of the cliff. Visitors can only reach each cave by using these plank roads, which offers a breathtaking experience.
Work on the Maiji caves began in the late Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), progressing through to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). The Northern Wei
(386 - 534) period was also a time of its great prosperity, and Buddhism began to prevail as a cultural force. Subsequent dynasties added to and sometimes rebuilt the caves according to the styles of the era. Interestingly, although the statues were built at the same location, none of them maintained a similar style with those preceding it. Statues from each dynasty clearly developed distinct elements.
Another curious feature of the statues is their trend toward secularization, that is, a move toward depicting the icons as man rather than god. Except for statues built in the early period, almost all Buddhist statues look affable and accessible. They were no longer gods standing high in the heaven, but rather became more like common people.
Because of its exquisite clay statues and superb sculptural skills, Maiji Caves acquired special recognition. They have been classified as an 'Oriental Statues Exhibition Hall'. Maiji Caves are one of the four most important caves in China. The other threes are Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, Yungang Caves in Datong, Shanxi Province, and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan Province. Their emphasis is on exquisite statues and beautiful natural scenes, while the others' are on florid murals or magnificent stonecutting.
There are other places of interest near Maiji Mountain as well, Xianren Cliff,
Shimen Mountain, Quxi and Maiji Arboretum, all offer fine panoramic views of mountains, rivers and plants in Northwest China.
篇三：麦积山英语导游词
Maiji Mountain Grottoes
Dear my friends:
Welcome to Tianshui!
The climate of Tianshui is suitable for the survival of mankind. That makes it become a cradle of the Chinese nation. As we know, Fuxi and Nuwa who are the Chinese ancestors lived here. They created the early period of Chinese culture. For the suitable climate, there are many wonderful attractions. This time we will go to Maiji Mountain, and visit Maiji Mountain Grottoes.
Maiji Mountain is located 50 km far from Tianshui just to the south of Maiji Village. It is only 142 meters above the ground, but the altitude of about 2,000 meters above the sea level. It is a single and distinct peak of the xiaolong Mountain of Western Qinling Range. Since it looks like a huge wheat straw pile from afar, it is called Maiji Mountain (the Wheat Straw Pile Mountain). The flouring various plants with clouds wrapping them in a blanket of mist create one of nature’s most majestic sights. In the late of the Western Hang Dynasty, it became the palace of Kui Xiao (隗嚣) who is a famous general of Tianshui. The Maiji Mountain Scenic Area was listed as a famous resort under the state protection by the State Council in 1982. And Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the most important area of it, which rank the second in the four well-known grottoes in Gansu Province. (The four well-known grottoes are Mogao Grottoes, Maiji Mountain Grottoes, Bingling Temple Grottoes and Mati Temple Grottoes.)
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are caved in the cliffs, which are in rows 20 to 30 meters or 70 to 80 meters above the foot of mountain. That makes them look like a huge honeycomb in the distance. The wide of those grottoes which are linked by some dangerous ways is from 3 meters to about 1 meter.
Maiji Mountain Grottoes were first dug in the Qin Dynasty of the Sixteen States Period (about 384 to 417 AD). And the grottoes were cut and repaired in the successive dynasties of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty, the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties, the Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. An earthquake which occurred in Tianshui during the Tang Dynasty (734 AD) resulted in collapse of the cliff, and the grottoes were subsequently divided into tow sections: the Eastern and the Western with 54 and 140 grottoes respectively, which were called the Eastern Pavilion and the Western Pavilion during the Five Dynasties.
In the Eastern, there is the Thousands of Buddhism Corridor, the Throwing Flowers Building, the Upper Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and the Middle Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and so on. In the Western, there are 3 grottoes which are the most famous. In them, the biggest is the Thousands of Buddhism Pavilion, the second is the Heavenly Cave, and the smallest is the Cave NO.127, which were all cut in 6 AD.
There is a legend associated with the Throwing Flowers Building. It is said that Sakyamuni appeared here to preach. During the first time, there were tens of thousands of disciples in the valley which was under the
Throwing Flowers Building. In order to know whether all of them understand the Buddhist thoughts and tenets, the 28 flying aspara threw different kinds of petals to them. If the disciples understood, the petals would not fall, but fall; if not, the petals would fall. It was surprised that all of the petals rose. Now you can throw some pieces of paper, you will find the pieces rise. Do you know why? Because there is an air current which can make some light things rise.
Though Maiji Mountain Grottoes are suffered many earthquakes and fires, now there are 194 grottoes, more than 7,200 statues and over 1,300 square meters murals. As the stone of Maiji Mountain is unfit for caving, most statues are clay sculptures, but they are quite exquisite. The sculptures are mainly images of Buddha and his disciples, Bodhisattvas, the Heavenly Kings and Vajras. It is surprised that the sculptures have been preserved well, even though the climate is wet in Maiji Mountain.
Like the earliest sculpture of Mogao Grottoes, the grottoes of Maiji Mountain were obviously influenced by the Indian style in 30 caves during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty. By the time of the Song Dynasty, the style was changed greatly due to mixing the Indian culture and the Central Chinese culture. The sculptures wear diverse countenance looking vivid. And the dress of them is soft and natural. In the late period, the style was continuously improved on the basis of the Chinese current culture. So the sculptures are more vivid than before and full of the interest of worldly life. However, since the Northern Wei Dynasty, almost the sculptures bowed their heads, as if they were looking this world. They are the gods, but they look like the human beings.
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are of high values for the study on politic, economy and culture in ancient China, even though they are the Buddhist arts. The grottoes embody the Chinese national tradition and consciousness, and also have the characteristic of making the form show the spirit. Especially the sculptures of the Sui and Tang Dynasty are full and rounded, and in the Song Dynasty, they are thin, delicate and pretty. Maiji Mountain Grottoes reflect the evolution of the clay sculptures art in China. They are referred to as “the treasure houses of oriental sculptures”.
篇四：麦积山英语导游词
Maiji Mountain Grottoes
Dear my friends:
Welcome to Tianshui!
The climate of Tianshui is suitable for the survival of mankind. That makes it become a cradle of the Chinese nation. As we know, Fuxi and Nuwa who are the Chinese ancestors lived here. They created the early period of Chinese culture. For the suitable climate, there are many wonderful attractions. This time we will go to Maiji Mountain, and visit Maiji Mountain Grottoes.
Maiji Mountain is located 50 km far from Tianshui just to the south of Maiji Village. It is only 142 meters above the ground, but the altitude of about 2,000 meters above the sea level. It is a single and distinct peak of the xiaolong Mountain of Western Qinling Range. Since it looks like a huge wheat straw pile from afar, it is called Maiji Mountain (the Wheat Straw Pile Mountain). The flouring various plants with clouds wrapping them in a blanket of mist create one of nature’s most majestic sights. In the late of the Western Hang Dynasty, it became the palace of Kui Xiao (隗嚣) who is a famous general of Tianshui. The Maiji Mountain Scenic Area was listed as a famous resort under the state protection by the State Council in 1982. And Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the most important area of it, which rank the second in the four well-known grottoes in Gansu Province. (The four well-known grottoes are Mogao Grottoes, Maiji Mountain Grottoes, Bingling Temple Grottoes and Mati Temple Grottoes.)
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are caved in the cliffs, which are in rows 20 to 30 meters or 70 to 80 meters above the foot of mountain. That makes them look like a huge honeycomb in the distance. The wide of those grottoes which are linked by some dangerous ways is from 3 meters to about 1 meter.
Maiji Mountain Grottoes were first dug in the Qin Dynasty of the Sixteen States Period (about 384 to 417 AD). And the grottoes were cut and repaired in the successive dynasties of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty, the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties, the Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. An earthquake which occurred in Tianshui during the Tang Dynasty (734 AD) resulted in collapse of the cliff, and the grottoes were subsequently divided into tow sections: the Eastern and the Western with 54 and 140 grottoes respectively, which were called the Eastern Pavilion and the Western Pavilion during the Five Dynasties.
In the Eastern, there is the Thousands of Buddhism Corridor, the Throwing Flowers Building, the Upper Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and the Middle Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and so on. In the Western, there are 3 grottoes which are the most famous. In them, the biggest is the Thousands of Buddhism Pavilion, the second is the Heavenly Cave, and the smallest is the Cave NO.127, which were all cut in 6 AD.
There is a legend associated with the Throwing Flowers Building. It is said that Sakyamuni appeared here to preach. During the first time, there were tens of thousands of disciples in the valley which was under the
Throwing Flowers Building. In order to know whether all of them understand the Buddhist thoughts and tenets, the 28 flying aspara threw different kinds of petals to them. If the disciples understood, the petals would not fall, but fall; if not, the petals would fall. It was surprised that all of the petals rose. Now you can throw some pieces of paper, you will find the pieces rise. Do you know why? Because there is an air current which can make some light things rise.
Though Maiji Mountain Grottoes are suffered many earthquakes and fires, now there are 194 grottoes, more than 7,200 statues and over 1,300 square meters murals. As the stone of Maiji Mountain is unfit for caving, most statues are clay sculptures, but they are quite exquisite. The sculptures are mainly images of Buddha and his disciples, Bodhisattvas, the Heavenly Kings and Vajras. It is surprised that the sculptures have been preserved well, even though the climate is wet in Maiji Mountain.
Like the earliest sculpture of Mogao Grottoes, the grottoes of Maiji Mountain were obviously influenced by the Indian style in 30 caves during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty. By the time of the Song Dynasty, the style was changed greatly due to mixing the Indian culture and the Central Chinese culture. The sculptures wear diverse countenance looking vivid. And the dress of them is soft and natural. In the late period, the style was continuously improved on the basis of the Chinese current culture. So the sculptures are more vivid than before and full of the interest of worldly life. However, since the Northern Wei Dynasty, almost the sculptures bowed their heads, as if they were looking this world. They are the gods, but they look like the human beings.
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are of high values for the study on politic, economy and culture in ancient China, even though they are the Buddhist arts. The grottoes embody the Chinese national tradition and consciousness, and also have the characteristic of making the form show the spirit. Especially the sculptures of the Sui and Tang Dynasty are full and rounded, and in the Song Dynasty, they are thin, delicate and pretty. Maiji Mountain Grottoes reflect the evolution of the clay sculptures art in China. They are referred to as “the treasure houses of oriental sculptures”.