[2025 Datong Attraction] Travel Guide for Yungang Grottoes - Grand Buddha Cave (Updated Jun)

The Yungang Grottoes are so famous that I don’t need to introduce them to you. I am happy that after this visit, I have completed the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, and Datong Yungang Grottoes. The final puzzle of China's three major grottoes - Yungang Grottoes There are a total of 45 large and small caves in Yungang, which were built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, 500 years later than Mogao Grottoes but earlier than Longmen Grottoes. Currently, Caves 1 to 20 are open to the public, and the most famous Caves 5 and 6 are selected for opening each year. The tour guide said we were lucky, the sixth cave opened this year is more beautiful than the fifth cave 👍 However, the most famous one now is the internet-famous Grotto 19, where you can take a high-five with the Bodhisattva, or ask Him some funny questions to make a kuso picture. There are also 20 caves with Bodhisattvas’ side faces, which are super beautiful when the light and shadow are right. Highly recommended! #Where to go for May Day #Where to go for May Day #Shanxi Tourism #Black Myth Wukong Filming Location #Grotto Tour #Yungang Grottoes

🏛️ Travel notes to Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi: A feast of Buddhist art spanning thousands of years 🌄 The Yungang Grottoes, a treasure trove of Buddhist art carved on the cliffs of Wuzhou Mountain, is one of the four major grottoes in China and a world cultural heritage. It is located in Datong City, Shanxi Province. It was excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty (460 AD) and has a history of more than 1,500 years. Walking into Yungang is like stepping into a time tunnel. Every Buddha statue and every mural tells the story of ancient beliefs and glory. The following are my in-depth travel notes and guide for the Yungang Grottoes, which will take you to appreciate the stunning charm of this "Oriental Stone Sculpture Art Museum"! ✨ 📍 Basic information of Yungang Grottoes - Address: Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City, Shanxi Province - Best season: April to October (pleasant climate, avoid cold winter) - Ticket price: 120 yuan (peak season) / 100 yuan (off-season) - Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (extended to 17:30 from April to October) - Recommended tour time: 3-4 hours (half day is recommended for an in-depth tour) 🚡 Transportation Tips 1. Self-driving (recommended ⭐) Starting from downtown Datong, drive west along Yungang Road for about 16 kilometers and arrive in 25 minutes. The scenic area parking lot charges 10 yuan per day. 2. Public Transportation - Bus: Take bus No. 3 from Datong Railway Station (about 1 hour, fare 2 yuan) - Tourist line: Datong Ancient City has a direct bus to the scenic area (round trip 30 yuan) 3. High-speed rail + taxi Beijing/Taiyuan→Datong South Station, take a taxi to the scenic spot for about 40 yuan (25 minutes) 🌟 Must-see caves & highlights There are 45 main caves in the Yungang Grottoes, with more than 51,000 stone sculptures. They can be divided into three areas: east, middle and west according to the order of visiting. 🔸 East (Caves 1-4): Royal Weather - Cave 3 (Lingyan Temple Cave): The largest cave in Yungang, this huge unfinished space is breathtaking! 😮 - Cave 5 (Big Buddha Cave): 17-meter-high seated statue of Sakyamuni, the best-preserved royal statue 🔸 Central area (Caves 5-20): The pinnacle (core tourist area⭐) - Cave 6 (Shakya Cave): "The most magnificent view in Yungang", the central tower column is carved with 33 stories of the Buddha, which can be called a "3D comic strip"📖 - Cave 7/8 (Double Cave): A rare "double cave" design with exquisite carvings of flying musicians💃 - Cave 12 (Music Cave): The flying band holding 47 musical instruments, it seems that you can hear the thousand-year-old Sanskrit sound🎵 - Cave 20 (Open-air Buddha): The symbol of Yungang! The 13.7-meter-tall Sakyamuni Buddha is still majestic despite all the hardships (must check in 📸) 🔸 West District (Caves 21-45): Folk style - Most of them were excavated by the people after the Northern Wei Dynasty moved its capital, and the statues are more slender and elegant 🎨 Special Experience 1. Digital Yungang Pavilion: restore the original colors of the grottoes through 3D projection, amazing! 🎥 2. Creative ice cream: Buddha shape (15 yuan), photo-taking tool 🍦 3. Night Tour of Yungang (Summer Only): The mysterious feeling of the caves under the lights is MAX🌙 4. Stamp check-in: There are many free stamps in the scenic area, bring a notebook to collect them as souvenirs✍️ 🍜 Recommended nearby food 1. Datong Sliced ​​Noodles 🍜: Recommend "Oriental Sliced ​​Noodles", with rich toppings! 2. Sheep offal 🐑: The time-honored brand "He Lao Ren Sheep Offal" 3. Yellow rice jelly 🍮: sweet and refreshing, perfect with sea buckthorn juice 💡 Nanny-level tips 1. Explanation service: - Electronic guide 20 yuan/unit - Manual explanation (150 yuan for 5 people), highly recommended! No explanation is like looking at stones 😅 2. Dressing Suggestions: - There is a big temperature difference between inside and outside the cave, so bring a thin coat even in summer🧥 - Comfortable sneakers (lots of stairs) 👟 3. Photography skills: - Take photos of the 20 cave Buddhas in the morning - The best lighting for taking photos of the interior of Cave 5/6 is in the afternoon📷 - Disable flash! Will damage the mural ❌ 4. Hidden gameplay: - The Yungang Art Museum on the back hill of the scenic area is sparsely populated and has few visitors. - Collect scattered "little Buddha heads" (cute little statues left over from weathering) ❤️ Personal shocking moment Standing in front of the Great Buddha in Cave 20, I suddenly understood what “a thousand years at a glance” meant. 🕰️ The craftsmen of the Northern Wei Dynasty carved their faith into the mountain with chisels and axes, allowing future generations to get a glimpse of the heyday of Buddhist art. What touched me most was the "Armpit Birth Picture" in Cave 6 - the moment when the Buddha was born from his mother's ribs, surrounded by flying apsaras and fragrant lotus flowers. It turned out that stone could tell such a vivid story! When the sun sets, the afterglow casts a golden veil over the grottoes, and in a trance one seems to hear the clanging sound of chiseling stones and the chanting of monks... 📌 Summary ✅ Three must-see attractions: the Great Buddha in Cave 20, the Pagoda in Cave 6, and the Musical Heaven in Cave 12 ✅ Best route: East District → Central District → West District (the best is concentrated in the Central District) ✅ Pitfall Avoidance Guide: Don’t miss the Digital Pavilion! Closed on Monday! ✅ Cultural Easter Eggs: Observe the evolution of styles from "Exquisite Clothes and Wide Belts" to "Exquisite Bones and Clear Images"

Attraction Overview Located about 16 kilometers west of Datong City in Shanxi Province at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, the Yungang Grottoes are one of China's four major Buddhist cave complexes. Construction began during the Northern Wei Dynasty over 1,500 years ago. Today, there are 45 major caves containing more than 59,000 stone Buddhist statues. In December 2001, UNESCO added the Yungang Grottoes to the World Cultural Heritage List. Opening Hours Peak season (April 1 to October 31): 08:30-17:30 Off-peak season (November 1 to March 31): 08:30-16:30 Ticket Information Peak season (April 1 to October 31): Full price for adults is 120 yuan per person; half price for students is 60 yuan per person. Off-peak season (November 1 to March 31): Full price for adults is 100 yuan per person; half price for students is 50 yuan per person. The following groups are eligible for free admission: Seniors aged 60 and above (with valid ID card or senior citizen card) Active military personnel (including military school faculty and students) (with valid military ID card) Disabled veterans (with valid disabled veteran certificate and ID card) People with disabilities (with valid ID card and second-generation People's Republic of China Disability Certificate) Tour guides (with valid tour guide certificate (excluding tour guide qualification certificate or manager qualification certificate), group assignment form, and itinerary plan) Children aged 6 and under or 1.2 meters and shorter Transportation Guide By car: From downtown Datong, take the G55 Erguang Expressway and exit at Yungang. Follow the signs to the Yungang Grottoes scenic area. There is a parking lot inside the scenic area. By bus: Several bus routes in Datong can take you to the Yungang Grottoes, such as routes 3, 12, 37, and 603. Specifically: From Datong Railway Station: Take the express tourist bus 603 directly to the grottoes, or take bus No. 4 to Xinkaili, then transfer to bus No. 3 to the Yungang Grottoes. From the Long-Distance Bus Station: Walk south from the Children's Park on Weidu Avenue to the Third Hospital, take bus No. 17 to Xinkaili, then transfer to bus No. 3 to the Yungang Grottoes. From the New South Long-Distance Bus Station: Take bus No. 28 to Xinkaili, then transfer to bus No. 3 to the Yungang Grottoes. From Datong Airport: Take the airport shuttle to Datong Hotel, then take bus No. 17 to Xinkaili, and transfer to bus No. 3 to the Yungang Grottoes. By taxi: Taking a taxi from downtown Datong to the Yungang Grottoes costs approximately 30-40 yuan. This option is convenient for groups and will take you directly to the entrance of the scenic area. Visiting Routes Traditional route: Start from Cave No. 1 in the east and visit each cave in sequence until Cave No. 20. This takes about 4-5 hours and provides a comprehensive appreciation of each cave's unique features. Highlights route: If time is limited, focus on Caves No. 5 and 6, the Five Splendid Caves, and the Tanyang Five Caves. This takes about 2 hours. Specifically: Tanyang Five Caves: Caves No. 16 to 20 were the earliest excavated at Yungang and are the most representative. The Buddha statues inside are grand and magnificent. The outdoor Great Buddha in Cave No. 20 stands 13.7 meters tall and is one of the iconic Buddha statues of the Yungang Grottoes. Caves No. 5 and 6: These twin caves feature the most exquisite craftsmanship and strongest narrative elements in the Yungang Grottoes. The central seated Buddha of the Three Buddhas in Cave No. 5 is 17 meters tall, one of the largest Buddha statues in the grottoes. The four walls are covered with Buddha niches and statues, with rich compositions and flowing lines. Cave No. 6 has a tall central pillar surrounded by exquisite Buddha and Bodhisattva statues. Each layer of the pillar is carved with beautiful Buddha and Bodhisattva figures, while the surrounding bas-reliefs vividly depict the entire life of Sakyamuni from birth to enlightenment. Five Splendid Caves: These are the five caves numbered 9-13 in the central section. They were painted with colorful decorations in the late Qing Dynasty, making them exceptionally gorgeous and vibrant. The statues here cover diverse themes, and the murals are exquisitely beautiful, showcasing the prosperity of Buddhist art during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Recommended Visit Duration A 3-4 hour visit is recommended. If you want a more in-depth understanding and appreciation, plan to spend a full day. Additional Tips Guide service: The scenic area is rich in historical and cultural content. It's recommended to book a guide service in advance to better understand the historical background and cultural stories behind each Buddha statue and cave. Best time to visit: In the morning, light shines into the caves from the east, making the faces of Buddha statues clearer and more three-dimensional. In the afternoon, the western caves have better lighting. Choose your photography area based on your timing. Wearing plain-colored or traditional-style clothing will blend perfectly with the cave atmosphere and make for better photos. Important notes: Smoking and drone flying are prohibited in the scenic area. When visiting, please protect the cultural relics and do not touch or climb on the Buddha statues. Local Food Lamb Offal Noodles: A Datong specialty with a fresh, spicy flavor. The lamb offal is clean with no unpleasant smell. A bowl costs about 15-20 yuan. Knife-Cut Noodles: These noodles are thick in the middle and thin at the edges, with a smooth exterior and chewy interior. Topped with rich gravy and served with braised eggs and meatballs. You can eat your fill for around 20 yuan per person. Youmian Kaolao: Tube-shaped noodles made from oat flour, steamed and dipped in various sauces for a unique taste. Hunyuan Liangfen: Made from potato starch and served with chili oil, aged vinegar, and other seasonings for a refreshing taste. Shaomai: Dumplings filled with lamb and green onions, with thin skin and generous filling, deliciously flavorful. Oil Cake: Made from yellow rice flour or glutinous rice flour with fillings such as red bean paste, fried until golden and crispy, sweet and delicious.

| A thousand years at a glance, the ultimate display of Northern Wei aesthetics. See the thousand-year-old Buddhist charm, appreciate the treasures of the grottoes, and feel the shock and weight of history 📜【Art Treasures】 🔸As one of the four major grottoes in China, the Yungang Grottoes are as famous as the Mogao Grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes, and the Maijishan Grottoes. They were excavated in the third year of the Northern Wei Dynasty (398 AD) more than 1,500 years ago and took about 150 years to complete. 🔸Every Buddha statue and every mural here was carved little by little by ancient craftsmen using hammers and chisels. It can be called an "epic of stone" 🔸It is the starting point of the "Sinicization" of grotto art. The Chinese palace architectural sculptures in the middle period grottoes, as well as the Chinese-style Buddhist niches developed from them, have a profound influence on the construction of grotto temples in later generations. 🔸In 1961, it was listed as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and was also selected as a world cultural heritage. It is a national 5A-level scenic spot. The 1987 version of "Journey to the West" was filmed here. It is a veritable art treasure house. I think the cave is interesting ✨✨ ▪️Cave 3: Lingyan Temple Cave – the largest cave ▪️Cave 5: Big Buddha Cave – the largest Buddha statue ▪️Cave 6: Sakya Cave - depicts the life of Sakya ▪️Cave 8: Folai Cave - Yungang's unique multi-headed and multi-armed celestial statue ▪️Cave 12: Music Cave - Beautifully shaped ▪️Cave 20: White Buddha Cave - the Internet-famous Buddha ⏰【Opening hours & tickets】 Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 Tickets during peak season: Full price ticket 120 yuan, half price ticket 60 yuan, sightseeing bus 20 yuan extra Tickets in the off-season (November 1 to the end of March of the following year): Full price ticket 100 yuan, half price ticket 50 yuan 🚗Travel method: 🚍🚍Bus: 68 to 3 (68 from Datong South Station to Bus Company No. 4, fare 2 yuan; then transfer to 3 to Yungang Grottoes, fare 1💰 yuan) Bus No. 12 (take Bus No. 31 at Datong South Station, transfer to Bus No. 12 at Jinzeyuan Station and get off at Yungang Station, 4💰 blocks) 📍Didi location: Yungang Grottoes - Ticket Office or Visitor Center (Ancient City - Scenic Spot about 30💰)

The main deity of Cave 20 at the Yungang Grottoes is a seated statue of Sakyamuni, standing 13.7 meters tall. Due to the cave's collapse before the Liao Dynasty, this statue has become an open-air Great Buddha. The Great Buddha features a high topknot, a broad forehead and full cheeks, a straight nose, long eyebrows with a white tuft between them, a mustache, and upturned corners of the mouth, presenting a dignified appearance. The right shoulder is bare, draped in a heavy kasaya robe. The folds of the robe are depicted with curved ribbon patterns, largely retaining elements of Gandharan art. The Buddha's tall and robust physique reflects the strength and power of the northern nomadic peoples. It is a representative work of Yungang Grottoes sculpture and an unparalleled masterpiece of early Chinese Buddhist statue art. The caves adjacent to Cave 20 also house many colossal Buddha statues, creating a mutually reinforcing and echoing effect.

❤ Recommended reason: Yungang Grottoes - not only the first royal-authorized grottoes in China, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with significant historical and cultural importance, reflecting the political ambitions of the Northern Wei Dynasty. 🌟 Highlights: Datong Yungang Grottoes, along with Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, and Tianshui Maijishan Grottoes, are known as the "Four Great Grottoes," treasures of Buddhist culture! Compared to other grottoes in China, Yungang Grottoes have the most Western style, with strong exotic influences. They feature Indian and Central Asian art elements, as well as Greek and Roman architectural styles, decorative patterns, and facial features. 👍 Most recommended: In my opinion, the murals of Mogao Grottoes are truly the "Pearl of Oriental Art," and Longmen Grottoes represent the pinnacle of stone carving art (I haven't been to Maijishan Grottoes, so I won't comment). Visiting Yungang Grottoes this time, I was truly amazed by its grand scale, majestic atmosphere, and exquisite carving skills. It was worth the trip! 🏨 Hotel environment: I recommend Datong Yungang Jianguo Hotel, with a great location, close to the ancient city, about a 30-minute drive to the Yungang Grottoes, a grand and convenient hotel! 🍽 Dining recommendation: 🌈 Fenglin Pavilion (the driver said it's the best restaurant in Datong) 🌈 Zini 369 Coarse Grain Season (Drum Tower Branch) (good taste, generous portions, enthusiastic service)