The Kizil Caves (also romanized Qizil Caves, spelling variant Qyzyl) are a set of Buddhistrock-cut caves located near Kizil Township (克孜尔乡, Kèzī'ěr Xiāng) in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, China. The site is located on the northern bank of the Muzat River 65 kilometres (75 km by road) west of Kucha.[1][2] This area was a commercial hub of the Silk Road.[3] The caves are said to be the earliest major Buddhist cave complex in China,[3]with development occurring between the 3rd and 8th centuries.