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The Yungang Grottoes (Chinese: 云冈石窟; pinyin: Yúngāng shíkū), formerly the Wuzhoushan Grottoes (Chinese: 武州山 / 武周山; pinyin: Wǔzhōushān), are ancient Chinese Buddhist temple grottoes built during the Northern Wei dynasty near the city of Datong, then called Pingcheng, in the province of Shanxi.
The dynasty’s capital, Pingcheng, became the most important Buddhist religious and artistic center in China. Caves 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 each contain a colossal Buddha as the central icon. Cave 20, for example, houses a gigantic seated Buddha in a meditation posture, with a standing attendant Buddha at one side.
The 14m-tall seated Buddha of Cave 20 is an icon of Chinese art, comparable to the colossal exposed Buddhas of Dunhuang and Longmen. It was originally flanked by a pair of smaller standing buddhas, of which only the eastern figure now remains.
The 17 meters high sitting Buddha statue of Sakyamuni in the back cave of Cave No.5 is the largest statue of Yungang Grottoes. Cave No.6 is richly decorated and is praised as the most spectacular one in Yungang.
The dynasty’s capital, Pingcheng, became the most important Buddhist religious and artistic center in China. Caves 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 each contain a colossal Buddha as the central icon. Cave 20, for example, houses a gigantic seated Buddha in a meditation posture, with a standing attendant Buddha at one side.
The Yungang Grottoes (Yungang Caves) are located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, China. Dating back 1,500 years, the Yungang Grottoes represent China's superb Buddhist artistic achievements from the 5th to the 6th century.
The Yungang Grottoes are a collection of ancient Buddhist cave temples in China, known for their intricate carvings and historical significance.
