Buddhist grottoes mainly dated back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534)
Location: Datong, Shanxi Province
Period: 5th century-12th century
Excavated in 1949
Significance: It has supplied precious materials to the study of the history of ancient Chinese grottoes, as well as the art of sculpture.

Main Buddha in grotto no. 20: (the Buddha is 14 m in height)

Introduction

The Yungang Grottoes, in Datong city, Shanxi Province, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues, represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in 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 Grottoes stretch for about one kilometer from east to west. A total of 53 caves are preserved, divided into the eastern, central and western sections. In addition, there are 110 niches containing 51,000 Buddhist statues.

Construction of these caves began during the reign of Emperor Wencheng (460-465) and was completed in 494 during the reign of Emperor Xiaohe, of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Small niches continued to be cut until the reign of Emperor Xiaoming (520-525). The highest statue of Buddha is 17 meters in height, while the smallest measures a mere few centimeters. The most magnificent grottoes are the five cut under the direction of Monk Tan Yao. Cave 5, Cave 6 and Caves 9 to 13, and the Wuhua Cave are unmatched for their grandeur and beauty.

The Yungang Grottoes occupy an important place in China's art history, for their grand scale and exquisite carvings. They integrate foreign artistic influences and craftsmanship with those of the Qin and Han dynasties.