Simsim caves

[4] History The Simsim Caves stand as the largest Buddhist cave temple complex in the eastern territory of ancient Qiuci (also known as Kucha), situated approximately 45 kilometers northeast of Kucha in China's Xinjiang region.

The name "Simsim," derived from the Uygur language spoken predominantly in the region during the caves' creation, translates to "purpling fountain," reflecting the area's cultural and linguistic heritage.

[5][6] Geography Spanning a circular hill about 700 meters in diameter, the site features 54 individual caves strategically positioned across its eastern, southern, western, northern, and central sections.

These detailed depictions underscore the region's unique interpretation of Buddhist artistic conventions, reflecting a fusion of Central Asian and Indian influences.

These measures are essential to ensure that these remarkable treasures of Silk Road history remain intact for future generations, allowing scholars and historians to continue learning from them while safeguarding their legacy for years to come especially since a lot of the caves in the Simsim complex has been recorded as missing artifacts such as statues and pieces of wall painting.