Originally dug in the end of Southern and Northern Dynasty (420 – 589), Bezeklik Caves experienced 7 centuries through the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) to the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368). During the period of time, Bezeklik Caves had been the center of Buddhism.
Cave 17 and Cave 18 were dug in the end of Southern and Northern Dynasty. Cave 16 was dug in the mid-Tang Dynasty. The frescoes at Cave 20 are the figures of King and Queen of the Uighur Gaochang Kingdom. Frescoes at Cave 38 reflect the life of Manicheans in ancient times. Cave 82 and Cave 83 were made to memorize the eminent monks of the Buddhist temples between the 10th Century and the 11th Century when the Uighur Gaochang Kingdom was in prosperity and strength.
Four Heavenly Kings, various Buddha, various Bodhisattva and providers were painted on the walls of the caves. Unfortunately, at the early of this century, 90% of the frescoes were cut out from the walls by 4 foreign groups of expedition. They are well preserved at Museum of Indian Art in Berlin, Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Tokyo National Museum, the British Museum, the India National Museum, and the National Museum of Korea.