Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes, also called Thousand Buddha Caves, is one of the four most famous caves in China. Mogao Grottoes is also the best preserved treasures of Buddhist art in the world. In 1987, it was listed as World Cultural Heritage.

Legend goes that when a monk travelled here, he saw golden light shining on Mingsha Mountain. It looked like that thousand Buddha stood there. Then the Mogao Grottoes was begun to build about in 366AD.

It is about 1600 meters high with five floors. The shape looks like a honeycomb loft. What a wonderful place! Mogao Grottoes is a wonderful art palace with ancient buildings, sculptures, murals, particularly famous for the colorful murals to the world. Among them, Feitian, an imagined flying god, and the Reverse Playing of the Lute are the most famous paintings. Mogao Grottoes’ sculptures enjoy high reputations for a long period of time. There not only stands 33 meters tall statue, and also ten centimeters of small Buddha. Nowadays, there exists 735 caves, 45,000 square meters murals, 2415 colorful sculptures.

However, nature and the tourist traffic become the threat to the grottoes. Although it is under good protection now, nothing can stop its deterioration. Maybe one day, it will disappear forever.

Best Travel Time:
From May to October, the average temperature of July is 24.7 ℃ (it is dry throughout the year, and great temperature difference between day and night.)

FairyLand Penglai

Penglai is one of the three fairy mountains which were inhabited by immortals. It is said that Penglai is the base for the Eight Immortals, or the place where they travel to have a banquet. Legend goes that there was no pain and no winter on the mountain. Rice bowls and wine glasses would never become empty no matter how much people would eat or drink from them. Magical fruits growing here could heal any disease, grant eternal youth, and even raise the dead.

However, in real life there is a scenic spot called Penglai which is located in eastern China’s Shandong province. It is well known for its beautiful sights. Here, you may have the chance to appreciate the world famous Penglai Pavilion, which is listed as one of the four famous pavilions in China. It is also a very good place to witness a magical mirage because it often occurs here. Each year, thousands of tourists come here to see the marvelous spectacle.

Yungang Grottoes

The Yungang Grottoes, the ancient Buddhist temple grottoes, are located at the foot of Wuzhou Mountain in the west of Datong city, 16 kilometers away.

Yungang Grottoes have more than 1500 years of history. Carved backing on mountains with the total length of 1 kilometer, the grottoes were mainly constructed in the period between 460-525 AD during the Northern Wei dynasty. Currently, there are 45 major grotto sites and more than 51,000 statues, representing the outstanding grotto art of Chinese Buddhism culture in the 5th or 6th century.

It is hardly to believe that the artists did not carve their own feelings and hapiness into the details of the statues. 1500 years later, again, we are moved by the love from the bottom of their hearts.

Wood-carved peonies are still fresh.

The donor’s smile is not clear but still sweet.

How happy is the beast!

Lovely fat flying deva

Buddha is always in my heart.

Heavenly music floating in the air

Wisdom eyes of Buddha

Buddha at the age of forty

Travel Tips:

Admission Fee: CNY 60

Opening Hours: Apr.15-Oct.27 8:00 to 17:20
Oct.28-Apr.14 8:00 to 17:00

Bus Route: Take No. 4 bus at Datong Railway Station and transfer No. 3 bus at Xin Kaili