Visiting Yungang Grottoes – Datong City, China

Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟), formerly known as Lingyan Temple and Stone Buddha Temple, are ancient Chinese Buddhist temple grottoes built during the Northern Wei Dynasty near Datong City (大同市), then called Pingcheng, in northern Shanxi Province in China.
The site is located about 16 km west of Datong City, in the valley of the Shili River at the base of the Wuzhou Shan mountains.
They are an outstanding example of the Chinese stone carvings from the 5th and 6th centuries.
There are 53 major caves, along with 51,000 niches housing the same number of Buddha statues.
Additionally, there are around 1,100 minor caves. A Ming dynasty-era fort is still located on top of the cliff housing the Yungang Grottoes.
One of the most breathtaking sight is the colossal Buddha in Cave 5, sitting in a meditative pose with a peaceful smile. The details in his robes and facial expressions are remarkably lifelike, a testament to the artistic mastery of the era.
Nearby, Cave 6 features a mesmerizing multi-layered structure filled with intricate carvings that depict scenes from the life of Buddha.
The grottoes were commissioned by Emperor Wencheng (文成帝) of the Northern Wei Dynasty in the 5th century as a grand tribute to Buddhism, which had been flourishing in China at the time.
Skilled artisans and monks spent decades chiseling these masterpieces into the sandstone cliffs, making Yungang one of the most significant Buddhist cave complexes in the world.
Over the centuries, the grottoes have faced natural erosion and occasional damage from human activities.
However, extensive preservation efforts have ensured that these ancient artworks remain largely intact, allowing modern visitors to witness their splendor.
On March 4, 1961, the Yungang Grottoes were announced as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
In 2001, the Yungang Grottoes were included in a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Chapters:
00:00 Pilgrimage Avenue (礼佛大道)
06:51 Lingyan Temple (灵岩寺)
18:04 Main Hall (大雄宝殿)
31:10 Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟)
40:24 Cave No. 3 (第3窟)
47:38 Cave No. 6 (第6窟)
1:02:23 Cave No. 10 (第10窟)
1:07:05 Cave No. 11 (第11窟)
1:08:42 Cave No. 12 (第12窟)
1:11:14 Cave No. 13 (第13窟)
1:21:23 Cave No. 20 (第20窟)