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Yungang Caves
tips and insights
How to pronounce
Yungang: yoo'ng-gahng
Monks
Once, thousands of Buddhist monks lived within the Yungang Caves complex.
About the carving
Peak period
Most of the significant caves were carved out in the 5th century. Then, the serious carving was suddenly ceased as the realm moved its imperial seat to a distant city.
Sandstone rock
The grottoes and statues were physically easy to carve out because sandstone rock is a relatively soft stone, a sculptor's dream.
Few of the statues
are free standing
Most statues were carved directly into the cave walls (the hollows created niches for the statues).
Nearest major city
The Yungang Caves lie 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Datong in Shanxi province.
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