Pargarbu Caves

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

These caves are located in Zanda, Ngari, and date from the 11th to 13th century. Divided into four levels, there are ten caves in total. The caves at the lowest level are small, narrow, and the walls are blackened from smoke. These may have been the living quarters of monks. The caves on the second and third levels contain no murals, and may also have been living quarters. The top level houses Caves 1 to 4 from east to west. They are 10 m above the ground, and are accessed by a passageway 2 m above ground level. Caves 1 to 3 face south while Cave 4 faces east.
Cave 1 is the largest, with a flat ceiling and four asymmetrical walls. It features a large square central pillar, with corridors on each side, and a Buddha niche in the center. The niche is 100 cm high and 30 cm deep, and contains a seven-tier lotus throne that is 50 cm in height. The statue is missing and all that remains is a painted mandorla. The murals on the walls are well preserved and it is the only cave in the system with murals still intact.
Cave 2 is located on the left of Cave 1 and the two are connected via a passageway. It has a flat ceiling and slightly curved corners. There are two small, rectangular niches on the back wall, most likely used as living quarters. Cave 3 is rectangular and features a two-tier Buddha altar in the center, with niches of varying shapes on the west wall. It no longer contains any murals or statues. Cave 4, the smallest, is irregular in shape. There are three rectangular chambers on the west wall serving as storage space. Outside the caves are remnants of murals and some earlier structures. The murals measure approximately 2 sq m each and show characteristics from the Guge Kingdom (circa 10th–17th century).