Between the time when Dunhuang captured the Hexi regions from the Ming Dynasty to the time when Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty managed the Western Regions and rebuilt Dunhuang, there was a span of more than 340 years when Dunhuang was either under the indirect control of the Ming dynasty wei (Ming military garrisons, seven of which were established west of the Jiayuguan Pass between1372and 1516) and direct control of the Turpan regime (1516-1715), also known as the "post-Ming dynasty."When under the control of the military garrisons, some pilgrims still came to visit Dunhuang caves, but when ruled by the Turfan regime, Dunhuang saw no cave construction due to population migration and changes in religious belief. This long break in cave building effectively put an end to over a thousand years of cave construction at Mogao. This paper discusses the reasons why there are no remains of Ming dynasty caves, statues, and paintings at Mogaoby examining the political, economic, and religious conditions in Dunhuang during the Ming dynasty
