Yulin Grottoes
Yulin Grottos, also known as Buddha’ Gorge, is actually a series of caves scattered on the cliffs of Yulin River near Dunhuang City of Gansu Province.
It is widely recognized as a branch of Dunhuang Mogao Caves.Currently, forty-two caves from Yuan Dynasty to Tang Dynasty are preserved.
Among which you can find 259 colored sculptures and 4,200 sq.m. (45,208 sq.ft.) of frescos. In 1961, Yulin Grottos was listed as a key cultural site under national protection.
The most representative sculpture is Sakyamuni statue in the sixth cave. It is twenty-two meters in height which makes you feel like grass lying under a big tall tree.
The Buddha is in golden color and has a solemn facial expression making you stand in awe with just a glance.
Then comes the lifelike arhats each of which has its own characteristics and thus looks different from each other. The most prominent one is the Dumb Arhat at the western end of the cave.
Interested in This Attraction? Contact Us Now!
He leans forward and takes a vivid facial expression that shows surprise and his attempt to say something but was unable to utter.
Besides, the consummate craftsmanship showed by the frescos in Yulin Grottos complements the shortcomings of those in Mogao Caves.
Therefore, it is truly worth a visit and you can get a comparison between these two brilliant caves of Buddhist arts.
Yulin Grottos is 170 km.(106 mi.) away from Dunhuang city.
Related tours
This 9 day Beijing Xi'an Shanghai tour covers China’s Golden Triangle highlights. Walk the Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, see the Terracotta Warriors and experience Shanghai’s blend of historic charm and modern skylines.
Travel from Beijing through Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang, Zhangye, Xi’an, and Shanghai on this 15-day Silk Road tour. Explore ancient trading cities, desert landscapes, Buddhist grottoes, and China’s cultural highlights.
This 16-day Beijing Tibet Trekking Tour to Kathmandu combines cultural discovery and Himalayan adventure. Explore Beijing and Lhasa, trek the classic Ganden–Samye route, then follow the Friendship Highway to Everest Base Camp and onward to the Nepal border near Kathmandu.
Experience Inner Mongolia’s diverse landscapes on this 5 Day Inner Mongolia Huitengxile Grassland Tour with Kubuqi Desert. Ride across rolling meadows, stay overnight in a traditional yurt, and explore vast golden dunes. Enjoy Mongolian culture, local cuisine, and scenic hikes through volcanoes and valleys.