Yungang Grottoes, a jaw-dropping millennium shock!

📍Address: Yungang Grottoes, Datong, Shanxi
🎫Tickets: 120 RMB in peak season (free for seniors 60+ with reservation)
⏰Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
🚗Transportation: Navigate to "Yungang Grottoes Parking Lot," recommended to arrive before 8 AM at Area A to walk less
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🌟Must-See Cave Guide (sorted by number)
1️⃣ Caves 16-20 (Tan Yao Five Caves)
◾️Cave 20 Open-Air Giant Buddha: Filming location for the dark myth of Wukong! The 13.7-meter smiling Buddha gazes across 1500 years at you
◾️Cave 19 Rib Cave Unopened: The main Buddha’s south wall reveals the "Black Hole Legend"

2️⃣ Caves 5-6 (Royal Twin Gems)
✔️Cave 5: 17-meter tallest Buddha in Yungang + Qing Dynasty painted pavilion
✔️Cave 6: 15-meter pagoda pillar with 33 Buddhist stories, from elephant conception to first turning of the Dharma wheel

3️⃣ Caves 9-13 (Wuhua Cave · Music Universe)
▪️Cave 12 Music Cave: Konghou and pipa flying together, live Northern Wei symphony orchestra
▪️Cave 13 Arm-bearing Strongman: A mechanical marvel! The little figure under Maitreya’s arm has held up for a thousand years

4️⃣ Cave 3 (Unfinished Masterpiece)
The three statues in the back chamber are as rounded as Tang style
Legend says the high monk Tan Yao once translated scriptures here

5️⃣ Cave 39 (Peak of Pagoda Temple Caves)
Five-story square pagoda carved to imitate wooden dougong brackets
Prototype of the Buddhist pagoda at Dunhuang Mogao Caves is here

📸Photo Spots
▫️Square in front of Cave 20 Giant Buddha: classic Buddha body + blue sky
▫️Greek columns in front chamber of Cave 9: best background blending East and West
▫️Upward shot of strongman in Cave 13: shows mechanical aesthetic tension
▫️Cliff outside grotto group: panoramic spot at the scenic exit slope

💡Helpful Tips
✅ Be sure to reserve 1-7 days in advance! No tickets may be available on site
✅ Arrive at the parking lot before 8 AM to avoid tour groups + walk less
✅ Hire an official guide (180 RMB for up to 5 people) or you won’t understand the details
✅ No photography inside caves, but allowed outside and in the exhibition hall
✅ Best combined with Datong Huayan Temple + Hanging Monastery for a fuller experience