China has a large number of truly beautiful caves, which are among the most famous in the world not only for their beauty, but also for their history. Among them are the Yungan Grottoes, one of three cave groups in China where ancient history comes to life. The cliffs of Wuzhou Mountain in Datong would never have looked so beautiful and picturesque if not for the legendary caves, which many call the cradle of Buddhism.
The kilometer-long excavation area along this mountain has already revealed 53 caves and over 51,000 stone statues. This rich historical heritage has been restored and preserved. As you approach this place, you will find that it is divided into east, middle and west.
In the eastern region there are many pagodas, beautiful, ancient and serene. The caves in the western part have a large number of niches, they are rather small. In the middle of the Yungan are the most beautiful caves, with their chambers in the front and back and Buddha statues in the center.
For history buffs, there is a lot to see here. The Yungan Grottoes were begun in 450 AD. e. northern Wei dynasty. Traditional Chinese art is traced, combined with social elements, which gives them an original shade of uniqueness. The Indian Buddhist art of Gandhara makes up most of the work here.
Monk Tang Yao was the first to decide to start construction here. Once here, you should definitely visit the largest cave, classified as No. 6. With a height of over 20 meters, it is made in the style of a pagoda. There is an amazing sculptural composition over 15 meters high with Buddha statues and other decorative elements. the east, west and south walls show 33 relief groups that tell the story of Saikamuni.
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Caves numbered 16 - 20 are also interesting. In addition to having some of the richest collections of ancient Chinese art and sculpture, you will also learn about the ancient history of Tang Yao. This place is carefully guarded by the state because the Yungan Grottoes have indeed seen their fair share of war and natural disaster over the centuries. The 1900s were marked by a whole range of measures to restore and preserve this gem of Chinese history and culture. In 2001 the grottoes became a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.