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5A Tourism Area

Designated 2007

Yungang Grottoes

大同市云冈石窟景区

Shanxi, Datong★ 4.7Designated 2007·40.1097°N, 113.1370°E

Ticket Price

Peak CNY 120/Off-peak CNY 100

Duration

3 to 4 hours

Rating

4.7 / 5.0

Designated

2007

About Yungang Grottoes

The Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a masterpiece of early Chinese Buddhist cave art. Carved into sandstone cliffs between the 5th and 6th centuries, the 252 caves contain over 51,000 Buddha statues ranging from miniature carvings to colossal 17-meter figures, reflecting Indian, Central Asian, and Chinese artistic fusion.

Highlights

A UNESCO World Heritage site of 5th-century Buddhist cave art; highlights include 45 major caves with over 51,000 statues, especially the giant seated Buddhas of Cave 5 and the detailed reliefs.

Suggested Route

Follow the numbered caves from Cave 1 to 20; allow 2-3 hours. A visitor walkway connects all caves.

Food & Lodging

Try Datong knife-cut noodles and shabu; stay in Datong.

Facilities

Restrooms, shuttle from parking, and a museum; flat walkways, accessible. Bilingual signage and audio guides.

Travel Tips

Check official website for current information. Respect local customs and regulations. Best visited during mild weather seasons.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

View on interactive map →

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💱

Book Tickets & Tours

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Hotels, tickets & tours

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Tickets & experiences

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

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Opening Hours

Peak season (Apr 1-Oct 31): 8:30-17:30; Off-season: 8:30-17:00.

Getting There

HSR to Datong South Station (~2h from Beijing), then bus 3/603 or taxi ~30 min (~40-50 yuan); ~20 km from Datong Yungang Airport.

Reservation

Advance online reservation required (book up to 7 days ahead) via official WeChat 'Yungang Grottoes' / 'Yungang Culture & Tourism' mini-program; on-site QR purchase available.

Ticket Price

Peak CNY 120 (≈ $17)/Off-peak CNY 100 (≈ $14)

Address

Shanxi Province Datong City Yungang District Yungang Town No. 1

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

大同市云冈石窟景区

山西省大同市云冈区云冈镇1号 ,0352-3206818

Shanxi Province Datong City Yungang District Yungang Town No. 1

40.1097, 113.1370

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