Yungang Grottoes Caves 1 and 2

Yungang Grottoes Caves 1 and 2

Yungang Grottoes Caves 1 and 2 are cultural tourism attractions.

These two caves are located at the easternmost end of the Yungang Grottoes. Because they share similar structures and contents, they are collectively referred to as the “Twin Caves.” Both caves have square floor plans with a central stupa pillar. The caves are narrower and higher in the front, and wider and lower toward the back. Cave 1 has a two-story central stupa, while Cave 2 has a three-story one. The stupas are all square-shaped, with Buddha statues carved on all sides of each level. Cave 2 features three Buddhas carved on each of the four sides of the third level, representing the Buddhas of the Three Ages. The northern walls of the caves contain relatively rich carvings with exquisite craftsmanship. The wall layout is as follows: along the cave ceiling is a row of celestial musician and attendant maidens, below them a row of meditating seated Buddhas, in the middle large niche seated Buddhas with elaborately decorated niche lintels, and at the bottom, relief carvings depicting the life stories of the Buddha and rows of patrons.

The flying apsaras on the ceiling of Cave 1 wear high topknots adorned with glittering jewelry. Their gentle and lovely expressions and the way their hands seem to hold lotus flowers, with their flowing robes and long ribbons fluttering as they sit diagonally on the clouds, resemble an elegant yet youthful dancer.

Location

Inside the Yungang Grottoes, at the foot of Wuzhou Mountain, Urban District, Datong City, Shanxi Province