Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes, one of the three major Buddha grottoes in China, stay at the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain, Datong. The area was excavated along the mountain, extending 1 km from east to west, revealing 53 caves and over 51,000 stone statues.

The grottoes has east, middle, and west parts. Pagodas dominate the eastern parts; west caves are small and mid-sized with niches. Caves in the middle are made up of front and back chambers with Buddha statues in the center. Embossing covers walls and ceilings. Each statues represent one of the giant emperor from Northern Wei dynasty. And was designed and carved by a Monk Tanyao, We can see his iron statue in the square after we get in by the ticket.

one big stone Buddha and one small stone Buddha statue of Yungang Grottoes at Datong — Cave 3 of Yungang Gottoes

Started in 450, the grottoes is a relic of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). Absorbing Indian Gandhara Buddhist art, the sculptures here developed traditional Chinese art melded with social features of the time.

Cave 16 to 20

During the reign of Emperor Xiao Wen, a monk Tanyao took charge of the construction of Yungang Grottoes. The largest cave is No.6, which is 20 meters (65.6 foot) high, standing a 15-meter (49.2-foot)-high pagoda-like column decorated with Buddha statues and designs. On the four sides of the tower pillar, and on the east, south and west walls of the cave, 33 embossed panels depict the story of Saykamuni.

Caves worth special attention are No.16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Upon Tan Yao’s suggestion, five statues of Emperors Taizu, Taizong, Shizu, Gaozong, and Gaozu as Buddha express the religious theme that the Emperor is Buddha. Caves housing these statues are known as the Five Tan Yao Caves, similar in style but not identical. The statue in Cave 20 is martial and stately, No.19 handsome and elegant, while No.18 is dignified but lively. Their similarity lies in their thick lips, big noses, slanted eyes and broad shoulders depicting the ethnic culture of the time.

Yungang Grottoes graphically tell the story of past glory.