Yungang Grottoes
π Introduction
The Yungang Grottoes are located in the western suburbs of Datong City, Shanxi Province. Construction began during the Northern Wei period (460 AD) and took about 60 years to complete. The grottoes stretch about 1 kilometer from east to west, featuring 45 major caves, 252 niches, and over 51,000 stone statues. Yungang Grottoes is one of China's largest ancient grotto complexes, alongside Dunhuang's Mogao Caves and Luoyang's Longmen Grottoes.
π Historical Background
The excavation of Yungang Grottoes began during the reign of Emperor Wencheng of Northern Wei, supervised by the eminent monk Tan Yao. The first five caves (Caves 16-20), known as the 'Tan Yao Five Caves', represent the essence of Yungang. These grottoes blend Indian, Central Asian, and traditional Chinese artistic styles, reflecting the sinicization of Buddhist art.