Cave 7 and Cave 8 of the Yungang Grottoes

Cave 7 and Cave 8 of the Yungang Grottoes

Cave 7 and Cave 8 of the Yungang Grottoes are cultural tourist attractions.

Caves 7 and 8 are also referred to as the Twin Caves because they share nearly identical cave structures and similar layouts of the Buddha statues inside. The caves feature a rectangular floor plan with both front and rear chambers; the front chambers originally had wooden roofs supported by beams built along the cliff face. Outside each front chamber, there is a carved stupa pillar. Both front chambers contain stone steles resting on turtle-shaped pedestals. A southern passage was carved at the rear of the front chambers of both caves to connect them. The main Buddha statues are situated in the upper and lower niches on the back wall of the rear chamber, while the other three walls feature layered niche arrangements. In the front chambers, the left wall of Cave 7 and the right wall of Cave 8 are adorned with long, horizontal relief panels arranged in tiers and columns, featuring multi-story pavilions. On the left wall of Cave 7, the arduous journey of Sakyamuni Buddha in his quest for enlightenment is vividly depicted. As you walk past these over 30 relief panels, the extraordinary life of Sakyamuni unfolds clearly before your eyes. The right wall of Cave 7 and the left wall of Cave 8 are carved with thousands of Buddha images. The lower sections of the walls in the front chambers of both caves are decorated with rows of donor figures and kneeling celestial beings, above which are carved imitation wooden structures. On the east and west walls at the entrance to the rear chambers of Caves 7 and 8, symmetrical reliefs depict two guardian deities. According to Buddhist nomenclature, they are respectively known as Maheshvara and Vaishravana. Vaishravana has five heads and six arms, with long hair flowing over his shoulders, holding the sun, moon, flying birds, and ritual implements, and riding on the back of a peacock. Above them are carved flying apsaras, with their clothing and ribbons rendered in delicate line engraving, simple yet elegant. These two sets of carvings are incredibly vivid and uniquely shaped, possessing strong artistic appeal that is truly captivating. They are rare artistic treasures among China’s grotto art.

Address: At the foot of Wuzhou Mountain, Urban District, Datong City, Shanxi Province

Type: Historical site / Sculpture / World Cultural Heritage

Recommended visiting time: About 20–40 minutes

Phone: 0352-3029625

Official website: http://www.yungang.org/

Opening hours:

Monday–Sunday: 8:30–17:20 (April 15 – October 27); 8:30–17:00 (October 28 – April 14)

Ticket information:

Gate price: 120.0 RMB

Included in the Yungang Grottoes ticket.