Yungang Grottoes, China

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yungang_Grottoes_02.jpg
Author: Steve Cadman


Yungang Grottoes are caves with sculptured statues in Datong City, Shanxi Province, China. They were created between the 5th and 6th centuries, and represent one of the finest examples of Buddhist cave art in China. The caves adhere to strict rules of layout and design, and is considered a classical masterpiece.

Yungang Grottoes were inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 25th session of the World Heritage Committee which met in Helsinki, Finland, on 11-16 December, 2001.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 40 6 34.992 E 113 7 19.992 Datong City, Shanxi Province
Inscription Year: 2001
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: I, II, III, IV

Visiting Yungang Grottoes

Take the train from Beijing to Datong. The journey takes six hours and costs around ¥110. Book your tickets as soon as they are available - in China it is common for the tickets to be bought up by the black market. From Datong, you can take bus 3-1 to Yungang Caves. Taxi will cost you ¥300 to visit Yungang Caves and the Hanging Monastery.

Yungang Grottoes