Yungang Grottoes
The Eastern Buddhist Kingdom carved by the royal family of Northern Wei, a millennium old stone carving interprets the magnificent chapter of Buddhist art!
Introduction to Scenic Spots
Yungang Grottoes, located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, 17 kilometers west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, is one of the four major grottoes in China and a world cultural heritage site. It was first excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty and has undergone 150 years of carving. There are currently 45 caves and over 59000 statues, blending elements of Indian, Central and Western Asian, Greek and Roman art, showcasing a unique Hu style and charm. It is a treasure of Chinese cave art.
Introduction to Scenic Spots in the Scenic Area
Grottoes: Cave 1-20 is the essence, of which Cave 5 and Cave 6 are beautifully carved, and Cave 20 is a grand Buddha; Tanyao Square: a landmark landscape at the entrance, commemorating Master Tanyao, the founder of Yungang Grottoes; Lifo Avenue: a scenic avenue connecting the grottoes, with Buddha statues and sculptures standing on both sides; Yungang Museum: A modern exhibition hall showcasing the history, art, and archaeological achievements of grottoes.
Scenic Spot Tour Route
Recommended route: Tanyao Square → Lifo Avenue → Caves 1-20 (Key Caves 5, 6, and 20) → Yungang Museum → Exit. The whole process takes about 3 hours. It is recommended to rent a tour guide or follow a manual tour to gain a deeper understanding of the charm of grotto art.
Best viewing season/not recommended travel season
Best season: Spring and Autumn (April June, September October), with suitable climate and pleasant scenery; Although it is hot in summer (July August), it is cool in the morning and evening, and the cave is shaded; Winter (November to March) is cold, but there are few tourists, making it suitable for peaceful viewing. Not recommended during the rainy season (July to August), as some cave roofs may experience water seepage, which may affect visitors.
Scenic Area Transportation
Public transportation: Take bus No.3, No.10, or No.12 directly to the downtown area of Datong, which takes about 40 minutes; Taxi: About 30 yuan from the city center to the scenic area, a 25 minute drive; Self driving: navigate to "Yungang Grottoes", the scenic area has a large parking lot; Train: Take bus No. 4 from Datong Station, and take the tourist line from Datong South Station; Airplane: Datong Yungang Airport is 16 kilometers away from the scenic area. You can take a taxi or airport shuttle bus to the city center and then transfer to a bus.
Scenic Area Tickets and Paid Items
Admission: 120 yuan/person during peak season (April 1st to October 31st), 100 yuan/person during off-season (November 1st to March 31st of the following year), half price for students; Paid items: 20 yuan each for boat tours, archery, shadow puppetry, and puppet shows; Package: Yungang+Huayan Temple+Yingxian Wooden Pagoda 240 yuan, Yungang+Yingxian Wooden Pagoda 175 yuan, Yungang+Huayan Temple 190 yuan. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid queuing.