China's grotto art is a treasure of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, bearing thousands of years of history and culture. Longmen Grottoes, Mogao Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes, and Maiji Mountain Grottoes, each place has its unique charm, attracting countless tourists to explore. Next, let us embark on this exciting journey of in-depth travel together.

Henan Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes are located at the southern end of the Longmen Avenue in Luolong District, Luoyang City, Henan Province. They are the largest and most densely carved treasure house of stone art in the world and rank first among all the grottoes in China. The Longmen Grottoes were excavated during the period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and then continuously and massively constructed for more than 400 years through successive dynasties including the Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, and Song. The statues within the grottoes are exquisitely carved with a rich variety of content and themes. They inherit the artistic style of Indian grottoes while also embodying the characteristics of the Yungang Grottoes. The grottoes were created by integrating the advanced and profound Han culture and history of the Wei and Jin dynasties in Luoyang and the Southern Dynasties.

The grottoes are divided into two parts, Xishan and Dongshan, by the Yi River. Most of the grottoes on Dongshan were made during the Tang Dynasty, while those on Xishan were excavated during the Northern Dynasties and Sui and Tang periods. They are where the essence of Longmen Grottoes is found, including the statues of Lushan Buddha in Fengxianshi and "Longmen Twenty Pieces" in Guyanggong. The main statue of Lushan Buddha in Fengxianshi is one of the most perfect and famous Buddhist statues in China. It is not only the most representative work of Longmen Grottoes today but also a representative work of Buddhist sculpture art in China during the Tang Dynasty.

Suggested Itinerary: As this is a tourist loop line with no exit at the entrance, a westward entry and eastward exit would be smoother. It is recommended to visit the caves of the West Hill, then those of the East Hill, followed by the Xiangshan Temple and the Bai Juyi Tomb Garden in sequence. Please note that there is a gate on the causeway connecting the cave clusters of the West Hill and the East Hill. Once you pass through it, there is no way back, so make sure to identify your main area of interest beforehand.

Gansu Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes, commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, is located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor in Dunhuang. It was first built during the Former Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms and has been continuously constructed by various dynasties including the Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Western Xia, and Yuan, forming an immense scale with 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 clay sculptures. It is the largest and most content-rich Buddhist art site in the world today.

Visiting Mogao Grottoes requires advance booking, and tourists can choose different tour routes according to their own time and interests. During the visit, it is necessary to comply with the regulations of the scenic area, not to touch murals and statues, and to protect this precious cultural heritage.

Shanxi Yungang Grottoes

The Yungang Grottoes are located about 16 kilometers west of Datong City in Shanxi Province, on the southern slope of the Wuzhou (Zhou) Mountains and the north bank of the Wuzhou River. The grottoes were excavated into the mountains, stretching about 1 kilometer from east to west. There are 45 main caves, 252 large and small grottoes, and more than 51,000 stone statues, making it one of the largest ancient grotto groups in China.

The statues in the Yungang Grottoes are grand and magnificent, with a rich variety of content. Visitors can appreciate exquisite Buddha statues, reliefs, and murals, feeling the charm of ancient art.

Gansu Maiji Mountain Grottoes

Maiji Mountain Grottoes is one of the five sub-scenic areas of Maiji Mountain National 5A Tourist Area. It is located in the northwestern end of Qinling Mountains, 28 kilometers away from the urban area. The grottoes were carved during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, and continued to be excavated and renovated by the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, becoming the second largest art treasure house in China after Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes. There are currently 194 caves with over 7,800 clay sculptures and stone carvings, more than 1,000 square meters of murals, and 8 cliff pavilions. Renowned for its exquisite clay sculpture art both at home and abroad, it is known as the "Oriental Art Sculpture Museum".

The four major grottoes in China each have their own unique features, and each one is worth exploring and savoring in depth. During the tour, not only can you appreciate exquisite works of art, but you can also feel the weight of history and the inheritance of culture. I hope this in-depth travel guide will be helpful for your trip, making your grotto journey more exciting and unforgettable.