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Datong and The Yungang Grottoes.

The Yungang Grottoes got added in the UNESCO world heritage list in 2001, and it is the largest among the four most famous ancient Buddhist grotto complexes in China.

The other 3 Buddhist Grottoes being: Mogao GrottoesMaijishan Grottoes which bot are located in Gansu Province in western China, and then you have the Longmen Grottoes outside Luoyang City in Henan Province.

From my experience with visiting historical sites in China, Yungang Grottoes is one of the best-maintained sites in the whole country.

The entrance to the site is actually more than a 10 -15 minutes walk away from the caves.

Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
The newly built entrance area.
Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
At the entrance; you can see the caves just behind the gate.

The Yungang Grottoes consist of 251 man-made caves and more than 51.000 Buddhist statues, yes you read correctly FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND. With the smallest statue only being 2-centimetre (0.78 Inches) tall while the biggest one being 17 meters (669 inches) tall.

Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
Some of the of 251 man-made caves in Yungang.
Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
Some of the caves have a protection building built outside.

It’s said that the project that started in year 453 and took 50 years to complete had a workforce of 40.000 people with some of the Buddhists working on the site that was coming all the way from what is now Sri Lanka.

All main caves in Yungang are named with No. 1 to 20.  With No.16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 being the most impressive ones, and nr 5 having the biggest Buddha statue.

Most of the statues are very well preserved inside the caves, and you’re allowed to take photos inside most of them, but strictly no flash.

Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
Big Buddha One.
Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
Big Buddha two.
Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
One Happy Buddha.
Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
Tiny, Tiny Buddhas, and some bigger ones.
Yungang Grottoes,UNESCO,CHINA,Bhudda
The largest Buddha in Yungang inside cave No.5

Additional Information about Yungang Grottoes.

Entrance Fee: 150 RMB, Half price for students, with student ID.
Opening Hours: 8.30 – 17.00. (15. April – 31. October)
8.30 – 16.30. (1. November – 14. April)

How to visit The Yungang Grottoes

The Grottoes is located about 16km (9.94 miles) Southwest of Datong City.
A taxi will cost you about 40 RMB,
Or you can take public bus nr, 3-1, 3-2, 10 or 12 for 1 RMB.

Is it worth a visit? 6/10. You can´t leave Datong without visiting Yungang Grottoes if you are already in Datong, but it’s not worth coming all the way just to see the caves.

Yungang Grottoes
Travel Guide to visiting the Yungang Grottoes in Dantong China, an off the beaten destination.

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The Incredible Maijishan Grottoes | Unusual Traveler

Monday 9th of April 2018

[…] in China.  The other 3 being: The Mogao Grottoes further to the west in Gansu Province, The Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province and The Longmen Grottoes outside Luoyang City in Henan […]

Dunhuang an Oasis on the Silk Road. | Unusual Traveler

Monday 9th of April 2018

[…] The Mogao Caves are the most famous of the 4 Buddhist Grottoes in China; the three others being the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province, the Maijishan Grottoes in Eastern Gansu Province, and the Longmen Grottoes outside Luoyang City in […]

Tracy

Wednesday 10th of August 2016

Visited Hanging Temple on a freezing cold day in December. We had it all to ourselves, after arriving first thing in the morning. It's amazing and worth freezing for. enjoyed the Grottoes as well. Love reading your travel blogs, we are heading back to China this January and disappointed to hear that Seda Larung Gar is closed. Thanks for sharing.

Amy

Saturday 11th of June 2016

This place looks incredible! I'd never heard of it, but it would be spectacular to see those 51,000 statues! Thanks for sharing!

liz

Saturday 11th of June 2016

What a fabulous place with a fascinating history! Your photos are simply wonderful and extremely inspirational!