Sino-Vietnamese sacred sites: Maijishan Grottoes and My Son Sanctuary

The Maijishan Grottoes in China and the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam stand as testaments to the spiritual and artistic achievements of their respective civilizations.

One of the four great Buddhist cave sites in China, the Maijishan Grottoes are perched on a cliffside in Gansu Province. With a history spanning over 1,600 years, the grottoes are home to a large number of sculptures and murals. Carved into the rock face, these caves reflect the fusion of artistic traditions influenced by the cultural exchanges that took place along the ancient Silk Road.

Built between the 4th and 13th centuries in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, the My Son Sanctuary was the spiritual heart of the Champa Kingdom. Dedicated to Hindu deities, the site features red-brick temple ruins adorned with intricate carvings. These temples are an important site for studying the evolution of religion, art, and political thought of the Champa Kingdom.

While My Son embodies the Hindu legacy of Southeast Asia, Maijishan showcases the spread of Buddhism in China. Both sites reveal the profound influence of religion and artistic expression in shaping historical and cultural identities of their regions.