Yungang Grottoes, an epic carved on the stone wall!
In the long river of history, there are always moments that surpass the shackles of time, quietly telling the stories of past glories and vicissitudes.

Yungang Grottoes, a hidden artistic treasure on the Loess Plateau, is not only a cluster of grottoes, but also the crystallization of thousands of years of Chinese civilization's wisdom. As a royal grotto temple, Yungang brought together countless skilled artisans who used their tools to carve their faith and reverence into the stone, stroke by stroke.

Among the numerous stone carvings, the Yungang Giant Buddha, with its captivating smile, has traversed thousands of years of history and still warms the hearts of every visitor. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty over 1,500 years ago, this colossal statue showcases breathtaking craftsmanship and reflects the cultural ethos, social life, and spiritual pursuits of the Northern Wei Dynasty. However, no written description can fully replace the awe-inspiring experience of visiting Yungang in person and witnessing these millennium-old grottoes with one’s own eyes.

Buddha Reliefs

Colorful Buddha Statue

Suggested Visiting Order:
East Gate → Tanyao Square → Lingyan Temple → Caves 1-20 → Caves 21-45 → Yungang Museum (Closed on Mondays) → Art Gallery → Exit

Among the cave 1-45, caves 1-20 are highlights with the most splendid carvings. While caves 21-45 are smaller and have higher repetition in themes. 

Yungang Grottoes

The Mural

Key Attractions to Visit:
Cave 3: The largest grotto in Yungang Grottoes.
Cave 5: Houses the largest Buddha statue, the main statue of Sakyamuni Buddha.
Cave 6: Features China’s earliest existing stone-carved comic strip (continuous narrative reliefs).
Cave 12: Known as the "Music Grotto," adorned with numerous elegant and vivid celestial musicians in various postures.
Cave 13: A powerful figure holds up the massive arm of a Bodhisattva, nicknamed the "Yungang Laborer."
Cave 15: Called the "Ten Thousand Buddha Cave," it preserves the largest number of Buddha statues in Yungang.
Cave 18: Features a Buddha statue with a "thousand-Buddha" kasaya, the only statue with Buddhist robe, also an internet-famous check-in spot. 
Cave 20: The iconic "Open-Air Giant Buddha," a symbol of Yungang Grottoes.

Taxi or Didi: A taxi ride from downtown Datong takes about 30 minutes, costing around 30-50 RMB.

Shuttles: Some hotels offer tourist shuttles to Yungang Grottoes, please check this with your hotel in advance. 

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