Yungang Grottoes, Datong

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Yungang Grottoes, Datong

(大同市云冈石窟 dà tóng yún gāng shí kū)

Yungang Grottoes are a cradle of Buddhist art, nesting more than 51,000 sculptures within them. [Photo/IC]

Yungang Grottoes, a 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage, are situated about 16 kilometers to the west of Datong, Shanxi province. Dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534), the Buddhist grotto complex inside is a royal anthology of Buddhist art. It is the city’s most significant attraction, boasting thousands of statues, the largest of which is 17 meters tall, the smallest, two centimeters.

Yungang Grottoes, imposingly carved out of a mountain side and about 1 km in width, is one of the four famous treasure troves of Chinese grotto art. The other three are the Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes and Maijishan Grottoes.

Vivid, lifelike, elegant and graceful, these statues are representative of Buddhist cave art in China.

While influenced by Buddhist cave art from South and Central Asia, Yungang Grottoes have also interpreted Buddhist cave art with a distinctive Chinese character.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: Suitable for all seasons

Opening Hours: 8:30 -- 17:30 (April 1 to Oct 15)

8:30 -- 17:00 (Oct 16 to March 31)

Ticket Price: 120 yuan ($17.29) during the peak season (April 1 to Oct 31)

100 yuan during the low season (Nov 1 to March 31)

Free Tickets:

① 6-year-old children or younger and children below 1.2 meters;

② Active servicemen, disabled persons, disabled revolutionary servicemen, those aged 60 or above with valid certificate;

③ Tour guides with valid tourist certificate.

Half Price:

① Minors aged 7 to 18;