The Damagou Buddhist Cultural Site is located in Damagou Township, Cele County, Hotan Region, Xinjiang.
In 2000, a shepherd boy accidentally discovered a Buddha statue here, which opened the prelude to the presentation of this site group to the world.
Recently, the reporter visited the Damagou Buddhist cultural site and got close contact with this group of sites that witnessed the prosperity of Buddhism in the Hotan area.
The No. 1 Buddhist temple site was discovered and excavated first. The entire Buddhist temple is about 2 meters long, 1.7 meters wide, and covers an area of less than 4 square meters. It is the smallest Buddhist temple in the Middle Ages discovered in China and even in the world. "Little Buddha Temple".
It is inferred that this Buddhist temple was built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties when Buddhism flourished.
In 2007, the Buddhist Relics Museum was built on the original site of the Little Buddha Temple. The museum displays more than 100 cultural relics and murals unearthed from the nearby ruins.
In addition to its historical and academic research value, the Damagou Buddhist Cultural Site has become a base for patriotic education. On weekends and holidays, tourists and local people flock here.
In the past, the scenic spot of "Buddhist pagodas and monks gathered", which was buried by the wind and sand, has now returned to people's eyes again in the form of ruins.
(produced by Sui Zhiyuan and Wang Chao)
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]