Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes [Photo/IC]

Located at the southern foot of the Wuzhou Mountain, about 16 km west of Datong, Shanxi province, the Yungang Grottoes were built against the mountain and extend about one km (0.62 miles) from east to west.

Comprising 252 caves and 51,000 statues within a carved area of 18,000 square meters, the Yungang Grottoes represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China during the 5th and 6th centuries.

The Five Caves created by Tan Yao, with their strict unity of layout and design, constitute a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese Buddhist art.

The Yungang Grottoes were added to the World Cultural Heritage List in December 2001.

Address: Wuzhou Mountain, Datong, Shanxi province