The dancer playing pipa backhand, Mogao Grottoes

No. 112 is one of the most famous grotto in Mogao. It is a very small cave, which can only accommodate 5 pax at one time. However, inside this cave, there is a picture of a musical performance troupe, one of which is playing the Chinese pipa with her backhand. It is a troupe of 6 pax, and those on the left are playing flutes and paiban (a percussion instrument) and those on the right are playing string instruments. The dancer in the middle is holding a pipa on the back of her neck, and playing it backhand gracefully. Her beauty and elegant movements charm admirers from all over the world.

The grotto is believed to be produced around middle of Tang Dynasty (year 618-907). This grotto cave is currently not open to the public.