Dong Qianfondong monastery, (near) Tashixiang, Gansu, CN

Raw data

"EASTERN THOUSAND BUDDHAS CAVES, also located in Anxi county, consist of 23 caves. This group of caves focuses on Tantric Buddhist motifs, reflecting the strong influence of Tibetan religion and art during and after the Tangut control of this region. Although only 8 caves survive with paintings and sculptures (3 Western Xia caves [(1036-1226 AD) - tmciolek], 3 Yuan Dynasty caves, and 2 Qing Dynasty caves), other caves contain remains of deceased monks and other objects which provide us with contextual evidence to understand how these caves were used." Ning Qiang (1997-2000).

"The East Thousand-Buddha Cave, Chinese: 东千佛洞, Pinyin: Dong Qianfodong" - http://www.chinatourme.com/Dunhuang/579.html

"Things to Do in Tashi
East Thousand Buddha Caves (Dong Qianfodong)
[…] they are about 22km south-east of Suoyang Fortress (and are managed by the same people). On the way there, it is possible to visit the remains of the Taer Ta Si tower and temple. "
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/China/Gansu_Sheng/Tashi-1000075/Things_To_Do-Tashi-TG-C-1.html

"Welcome to the Tashi google satellite map! This place is situated in Anxi, Gansu, China, its geographical coordinates are 40° 15' 0" North , 95° 59' 0" East [= 40.25, 95.9833 - tmciolek]."
http://www.maplandia.com/china/gansu/anxi/tashi/

Input by: tmciolek, Dec 31, 2010

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 18 Jan 2013

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Dong Qianfondong monastery, CN.

General location of the Dong Qianfondong monastery, CN.
Lat 40.168355 Long 95.424180
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2010.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.168355+95.424180+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Dong%20Qianfondong%20monastery,%20CN)&ll=40.168355,95.424180&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en


Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

  • Dong Qianfondong monastery

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • China:Gansu Sheng

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names


4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

  • Approx., Lat 40.168355 Long 95.424180 - based on visual identification of the site (labelled East Qianfu Scenic Area) in maps, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 31 Dec 2010.

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries

  • [missing data]

6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village


7. The settlement's alternative/historical names


8. The settlement's coordinates


9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition

  • Vajrayana - Ning Qiang (1997-2000).

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

  • [missing data]

11. Date-early

  • There are 3 Western Xia caves [(1036-1226 AD) - Ning Qiang (1997-2000).
  • MBM chrono-tag 1033-66p 1067-99p 1100-32p 1133-66p 1167-99p - tmciolek 18 Jan 2013
  • 1033-66p 1067-99p 1100-32p 1133-66p 1167-99p 1200=> dated-el

12. Date-intermediate

  • There are 3 Yuan Dynasty caves - Ning Qiang (1997-2000).

13. Date-late

  • There are 2 Qing Dynasty caves - Ning Qiang (1997-2000).
  • MBM chrono-tag 1200=> - tmciolek 18 Jan 2013

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • "This group of caves focuses on Tantric Buddhist motifs, reflecting the strong influence of Tibetan religion and art during and after the Tangut control of this region." - Ning Qiang (1997-2000).

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • archaeological, stylistical

16. Additional notes

  • 23 caves. This group of caves focuses on Tantric Buddhist motifs, reflecting the strong influence of Tibetan religion and art during and after the Tangut control of this region. Although only 8 caves survive with paintings and sculptures (3 Western Xia caves [(1036-1226 AD) - tmciolek], 3 Yuan Dynasty caves, and 2 Qing Dynasty caves), other caves contain remains of deceased monks and other objects which provide us with contextual evidence to understand how these caves were used." Ning Qiang (1997-2000).

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

  • [missing data]

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