Yungang Grottoes is located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain and the northern bank of Wuzhou River, about 16 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a World Cultural Heritage site. As one of China's three major grottoes, it is renowned worldwide for its grand scale, exquisite carving techniques, and profound cultural connotations. The grotto complex is excavated along the mountain, stretching about 1 kilometer from east to west. There are 45 existing main grottoes, 252 niches of various sizes, more than 51,000 stone statues, covering a total area of approximately 3.48 square kilometers. The statues here integrate Chinese and foreign artistic styles and are outstanding representatives of Buddhist art during the Northern Wei Dynasty. They not only showcase the majestic momentum of royal grottoes but also contain rich historical and religious values, known as "the treasure house of Oriental stone carving art."
Historical Culture
The excavation of Yungang Grottoes began in the early years of the Heping period of Emperor Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty (460 AD), presided over by the famous monk Tan Yao. It lasted for about 64 years through the reigns of several emperors such as Emperor Xianwen and Emperor Xiaowen. During this period, the Northern Wei Dynasty made Pingcheng (now Datong) its capital. To consolidate its rule and promote Buddhism, it concentrated national manpower and material resources to carry out this grand project. Among them, the five grottoes (Caves 16 to 20) excavated under Tan Yao's supervision are called "Tan Yao Five Caves," symbolizing the five emperors of the Northern Wei Dynasty, closely combining imperial power with the divine right.
After the Northern Wei Dynasty moved its capital to Luoyang (494 AD), the excavation of Yungang Grottoes gradually declined, but small-scale renovations and carvings continued until the Qing Dynasty. Over a long history, the grottoes were damaged due to natural weathering, wars, and other reasons, and have been systematically protected in modern times. In 1961, Yungang Grottoes were listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit; in 2001, they were included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, which evaluated them as "representing the highest achievement of Chinese Buddhist art from the 5th to the 6th century AD," exerting a profound influence on the development of subsequent Chinese grotto art (such as Longmen Grottoes) and East Asian Buddhist culture.
Main Attractions
Tan Yao Five Caves (Caves 16-20)
Tan Yao Five Caves are the earliest excavated and most magnificent caves in Yungang Grottoes, built between 460 and 465 AD under the supervision of Tan Yao. The main Buddha in Cave 16 is a standing statue of Sakyamuni, 13.5 meters high, with a delicate face and wearing a thousand-Buddha cassock; the main Buddha in Cave 17 is a cross-legged Maitreya Bodhisattva, 15 meters high, with attendant Bodhisattvas on both sides, carved exquisitely; the main Buddha in Cave 18 is a standing statue of Sakyamuni, 15 meters high, wearing a thousand-Buddha cassock, with disciples on both sides having different expressions; the main Buddha in Cave 19 is a sitting statue of Sakyamuni, 16.8 meters high, the second largest Buddha statue in Yungang Grottoes, with a small cave on each side outside the cave; the main Buddha in Cave 20 is a sitting statue of Sakyamuni, 13.7 meters high, with a plump face, a high nose, and broad shoulders, being the iconic Buddha statue of Yungang Grottoes. It is exposed due to the collapse of the rock wall in front of the cave, appearing more solemn and respectful. The statues in these five caves are influenced by Western Regions Gandhara art and integrate elements of Central Plains culture, laying the artistic foundation of Yungang Grottoes.
Caves 5 and 6
Caves 5 and 6 are double caves, built during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (471-494 AD), representing the peak of Yungang Grottoes' art in the middle period. Cave 5 is also called "Big Buddha Cave," with the main Buddha being a sitting statue of Sakyamuni, 17 meters high, the largest Buddha statue in Yungang Grottoes. The Buddha's foot alone is 1.6 meters long, and the shoulder width is 15 meters. The facial lines of the Buddha are soft and the carving is delicate. The inner walls of the cave are covered with niches and statues, with rich contents. Cave 6 is also called "Sakyamuni Buddha Cave." There is a square pagoda pillar connecting the cave roof in the center of the cave, which is 15 meters high. Both sides of the pagoda pillar are carved with Buddha statues and Buddhist stories, such as "Entering the Womb on an Elephant" and "Birth under the Tree." The walls of the cave are carved with 33 reliefs of Buddhist stories, with vivid pictures and lifelike figures, showing the exquisite carving skills of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the elements of Central Plains culture (such as architecture and clothing) are more obviously reflected.
Caves 7 and 8
Caves 7 and 8 are also a group of double caves, belonging to the middle-period works of Yungang Grottoes, famous for their rich carving contents and significant integration of Chinese and foreign arts. Both sides of the front chamber of Cave 7 are carved with six-tusked white elephants and peacocks, which are typical elements of Indian Buddhist art. The main cave is carved with the Three Buddhas, surrounded by thousands of Buddhas and niches, and the top is carved with exquisite lotus caissons. Both sides of the lintel of Cave 8 are carved with Greek-style capitals. There are statues of "Kumarapala" and "Mahesvara" in the cave. The former rides a peacock and the latter rides a bull, with unique shapes, reflecting the integration of Persian, Greek culture and Buddhist art. The carving style of the two caves is gorgeous with complex details, being important material materials for studying Sino-foreign cultural exchanges.
Yungang Museum
Yungang Museum is located in the scenic area, with a construction area of about 14,000 square meters, open to the public in 2010. With the theme of "Treasures of Civilization: Art of the Buddhist Kingdom," the museum systematically introduces the historical background, excavation process, artistic characteristics and protection history of Yungang Grottoes through cultural relics exhibitions and multimedia displays. The museum exhibits a large number of cultural relics related to the grottoes, such as stone carving fragments, inscriptions, and mural replicas, including some exquisite carvings moved and protected from the grottoes. In addition, the museum also uses 3D technology to restore the original appearance of some grottoes, helping visitors to more intuitively understand the evolution of grotto art, and it is an important place to deeply understand the history and culture of Yungang Grottoes.
Lingyan Temple
Lingyan Temple is located in the Yungang Grottoes scenic area, a restored temple imitating the style of the Northern Wei Dynasty according to historical records, covering an area of about 30,000 square meters. The temple adopts an axis layout, with mountain gates, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Scripture Storage Pavilion and other buildings in turn. The temple houses Buddha statues with a simple and solemn style. Lingyan Temple is surrounded by green trees, setting off with the grotto group, reproducing the historical pattern of "grottoes accompanied by temples," providing visitors with a place to feel the Buddhist cultural atmosphere and rest and visit.
Cuisine
Datong Daoxiao Noodles
Datong Daoxiao Noodles (knife-shaved noodles) is a specialty pasta from Datong, Shanxi, and one of the most representative local delicacies around the Yungang Grottoes. Its preparation method is unique: a specially designed knife is used to shave dough directly into boiling water, resulting in noodles shaped like willow leaves—smooth on the outside, chewy on the inside, with a firm and elastic texture. It is served with various braised sauces (such as pork sauce, tomato and egg sauce, fried bean sauce, etc.), and seasoned with coriander, chopped green onions, chili oil, and more, creating a rich and distinctive flavor. At restaurants near the Yungang Grottoes scenic area, a bowl of Daoxiao Noodles costs approximately 8-15 yuan, with a generous portion, making it the top choice for tourists to experience local flavors.
Datong Hot Pot
Datong Hot Pot is a local traditional food with a long history, named for its copper hot pot for stewing. The hot pot is layered, with charcoal burning in the lower layer and ingredients in the upper layer, usually including sauerkraut, meatballs, fried tofu, streaky pork, vermicelli, etc. The meat and vegetable collocation is reasonable, and the soup is rich and delicious. It is warm and comforting to eat in cold seasons. In restaurants around the scenic area, a Datong Hot Pot suitable for 2-3 people costs about 80-120 yuan, being a good choice for group meals.
Yellow Rice Cold Cake
Yellow Rice Cold Cake is a characteristic dessert in Datong area. It is made with yellow rice as the main raw material, steamed and mixed with glutinous rice, with red dates, red bean paste and other fillings in the middle, cut into pieces and eaten with white sugar or honey. It tastes soft, glutinous and sweet, cool and refreshing, suitable for eating in summer. In snack bars around the scenic area, a portion of Yellow Rice Cold Cake costs about 10-15 yuan, being a good choice for dessert after meals.
Surrounding Cuisine - Hunyuan Cold Noodles
Hunyuan County is about 70 kilometers away from Yungang Grottoes, and its specialty Hunyuan Cold Noodles is a famous snack in Shanxi. Cold noodles are made of potato starch, with delicate production and tender taste, matched with special chili oil, vinegar, mashed garlic, coriander, dried tofu and other seasonings, spicy and refreshing. In restaurants in Hunyuan County and Datong urban area, a bowl of Hunyuan Cold Noodles costs about 6-10 yuan. If tourists have enough time, they can go to taste it.
Tickets
The ticket price is 120 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "云冈石窟官微" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are slightly adjusted with the seasons: from April 1 to October 15 is the peak season, and the opening hours are 8:30-17:30 (admission stops at 17:00); from October 16 to March 31 of the next year is the off-season, and the opening hours are 9:00-17:00 (admission stops at 16:30). The scenic area is open all year round. The opening hours may be appropriately extended on major holidays (such as the Spring Festival and National Day), and the specific hours are subject to the official announcement. In addition, the opening hours of Yungang Museum in the scenic area are the same as those of the grottoes, and the opening hours of Lingyan Temple are 8:30-17:00 (9:00-16:30 in the off-season).
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, it is recommended that tourists first visit Yungang Museum (about 1 hour) to understand the historical background and artistic characteristics of the grottoes through exhibitions, laying the groundwork for the subsequent visit to the grotto group. After leaving the museum, go to the grotto group along the main road and first visit Tan Yao Five Caves (Caves 16-20), which are the core of Yungang Grottoes. It is recommended to visit for 1.5 hours, focusing on the open-air Buddha in Cave 20. Then visit Caves 5 and 6 (about 1 hour) and Caves 7 and 8 (about 40 minutes) in turn to feel the artistic style of the middle-period grottoes.
Continue to visit other grottoes to the east (such as Caves 9-15). Although these grottoes are small in scale, each has its own characteristics, and the visiting time is about 1 hour. After visiting the grotto group, go to Lingyan Temple (about 30 minutes) to experience the quiet atmosphere of the temple. Finally, you can buy souvenirs or rest in the commercial street in the scenic area. It is recommended to arrange 4-5 hours for the whole tour. If time is tight, you can give priority to visiting Tan Yao Five Caves and Caves 5 and 6 to ensure the visiting experience of core attractions.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take bus No. 603 in Datong urban area to directly reach the gate of Yungang Grottoes scenic area, with a journey of about 1 hour and a fare of 2 yuan. Bus No. 603 departs from Datong Station and passes through attractions such as Datong Ancient City Wall and Huayan Temple. Tourists can take the bus according to their itinerary.
- Tourist special line: The Datong Tourist Distribution Center (located outside the south gate of Datong Ancient City) has a tourist special line directly to Yungang Grottoes, departing on the hour from 8:00 to 16:00 every day, with a journey of about 40 minutes and a round-trip fare of 10 yuan per person. You can enjoy preferential tickets for the scenic area with the bus ticket (subject to the special line announcement).
- Self-driving: The scenic area has a parking lot with an area of about 20,000 square meters, which can accommodate about 500 small cars, and the parking fee is 5 yuan per time (unlimited time). Starting from Datong urban area, drive west along Yungang Road for about 16 kilometers, and you can reach it according to the road signs; starting from Taiyuan, get off at Datong Exit along Erguang Expressway (G55), then turn to Yungang Road, with a total distance of about 300 kilometers.
- Taxi: Taking a taxi from Datong urban area (such as Datong Ancient City) to Yungang Grottoes takes about 30 minutes, with a cost of about 30-40 yuan.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tan Yao Five Caves (Caves 16-20): The earliest and most representative grottoes in Yungang Grottoes, with 5 large Buddha statues. Among them, the open-air Buddha in Cave 20 is 13.7 meters high, which is the symbol of Yungang Grottoes, showing the early Northern Wei carving style.
- Caves 5 and 6: The peak works of the middle-period grottoes. The 17-meter-high Buddha in Cave 5 is the largest Buddha in Yungang. The pagoda pillars and reliefs of Buddhist stories in Cave 6 are exquisite in craftsmanship, reflecting the integration of Chinese and foreign arts.
- Yungang Museum: With a construction area of 14,000 square meters, it displays the history and art of Yungang Grottoes through cultural relics and multimedia, helping visitors systematically understand the grotto culture.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to hire a scenic spot guide or rent an electronic guide (rental fee 20 yuan/unit, deposit 200 yuan) to deeply understand the historical background and carving details of the grottoes. The electronic guide can be rented at the visitor center.
- The light in the grottoes is relatively dark, and some grottoes need flashlight lighting (strong light flashlights are prohibited in the scenic area). It is recommended to carry a small flashlight (with soft light) with you.
- There are many tourists in the peak season (May-October). It is recommended to enter the park from 8:30 to 10:00 in the morning or after 15:00 in the afternoon to avoid the peak period from 10:00 to 14:00.
- The sunshine in the scenic area is strong, especially in summer. It is recommended to wear a hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen to take sun protection measures.
- There are few catering options in the scenic area. You can go there after dining in Datong urban area, or bring a small amount of snacks and water (non-glass packaging).
Notes
- Taking photos or videos inside the caves is prohibited, especially using flash, as it may damage the stone carvings. There are clear signs in the scenic area, and violations will result in fines.
- Touching the Buddha statues and murals inside the caves is prohibited. Some caves are equipped with guardrails, and visitors must view from outside the guardrails to protect the safety of cultural relics.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Visitors must abide by public health regulations and keep the environment clean.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes, as there is a lot of walking in the scenic area, and some sections are stone-paved roads. High-heeled shoes are not recommended.
- In winter (December-February), the temperature in the scenic area is relatively low, and it is even colder inside the caves. It is recommended to wear warm clothes; in summer, the caves are relatively cool, so a thin coat can be carried.
- Take good care of personal belongings. There are many tourists in the scenic area, especially during holidays, so be careful to prevent loss of items.