Yungang Grottoes

Datong

The Yungang Buddhist cave-chapels were begun around 460 AD, under imperial patronage from the Northern Wei capital at nearby Pincheng (Datong). Major development continued until 494, when the capital moved to Loyang. The grottoes are a fascinating study of the fusion of Central Asian with native Chinese forms of art, and the central gem in the necklace of Buddhist caves that begins with Dunhuang and ends with Longmen.

The Yungang grottoes extend along a south-facing cliff, and are numbered consecutively from east to west.

References:

  • Thorp, Chinese Art And Culture, pp. 163-165;
  • Howard, Chinese Sculpture, pp. 230-236;
  • Li Zhiguo, The Grotto Art Of Yungang.