Yulin Grottoes
Located on both banks of the Yulin River valley in Guazhou County, named for the elm groves along the river; part of the Dunhuang grotto art system together with the Mogao Grottoes, known as their "sister grottoes"
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 09:00-17:00
- Ticket
- approx. CNY 40
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
Located on both banks of the Yulin River valley in Guazhou County, named for the elm groves along the river, the Yulin Grottoes belong to the Dunhuang grotto art system together with the Mogao Grottoes, hence their nickname "sister grottoes"; more than 40 caves from the Tang to Yuan dynasties survive. The complete, vividly colored Tang-era Amitayus Sutra tableau mural in Cave 25 is widely regarded as the finest Tang mural outside Dunhuang, and the Western Xia Water-Moon Guanyin blends Central Plains line drawing with Tibetan Buddhist flavor. On the same route, Suoyang City is the site of the Tang-era Guazhou city, and the "Son of the Earth" sculpture lies sleeping in the Gobi — together they form a one-day Guazhou itinerary of art and frontier history.
Getting there: Self-drive from Guazhou County (approx. 160 km)
Photos
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