The site itself extends for more than half a mile along a south-facing cliff and is located about 18 kilometers (a 30-minute drive) west of the city of Datong in Shanxi Province. The Yungang Grottoes are located about 16km west of the city of Datong (Shanxi province). Yungang Grottoes - 7 Wonders In 494, the Wei moved their capital from Datong to Luoyang and the Yungang Grottoes slowly fell into decay. The scenic area has developed new techniques for visitors to see the caves and paintings via high-definition videos and ball screen cinemas. var oTime = new Date(); The front wall is about 25 meters high. The grottoes are divided into east, middle, and west parts. There are 45 main caves, 252 large and small shrine caves, and more than 51,000 stone statues. 6). Datong is located in the northern part of China. The Yungang Academy began a project of stitching the fragments together virtually in 2014 in an attempt to reconstruct the Buddha statue as fully as possible. Yungang Grottoes, one of the three major cave clusters in China, punctuate the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain, Datong. The uniqueness of Mati Temple Grottoes is that there are not only caves but also Buddhist towers and temples. Yungang Grottoes - Maps - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Located at the southern foot of the Wuzhou Mountain, some 16 km west of Datong city, Shanxi province, the Yungang Grottoes were built against the mountain and extend about one km (0.62 miles) from east to west. To display large 3D models in real-time VR systems, however, still poses a challenge. The VR exploration system of the Yungang Grottoes. Copyright to the images in the articles published in Ars Orientalis remains with the image rights owners. The site stretches about 1 kilometer from east to west and was hollowed from the sandstone cliffs of the Wuzhou Mountains during the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Northern Wei . With the help of progressing 3D technologies, more and more details of 3D shapes and textures can be collected and integrated into massive 3D models. World Heritage partnerships for conservation. One of the most complex at the Yungang site, the grotto contains many reliefs, complicated ornamentation, and high artistic value. The replica of Yungang Grotto 18, at a height of seventeen meters, took two years for the process of 3D printing and assembling. The entire interior of the cave is carved and painted. The flourishing of Buddhism developed when the first emperor ascended the throne. Since the Digital Yungang Joint Laboratory was established in 2016 by the union of several universities and institutes, many virtual explorations and replication projects using 3D printing have been launched, achieving innovative effects. The site is located about 16 km . The Longmen Grottoes Location: Luoyang City, Henan Province Time needed: 3 hours Longmen Grottoes The Longmen Grottoes enjoy a good location where two mountains (Mount Xiang and Mount Longmen) confront each other and the Yi River flows between them. They made the city of Pingcheng (), now known as Datong (), their capital. It also belongs to one of the three most important Buddhist cave complexes in China, along with Longmen and Magao. The grand scale of the stone carvings is magnificent. Disclaimer. Yungang Grottoes Wikipedia Republished // WIKI 2 3D-printed replica of Yungang Grotto 18 installed at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, November 2018. The sixth cave's Maitreya Buddha is 25 meters high and is covered with gold foil, making it look very majestic. The Buddha's life story relief in the lower part of the east wall is better preserved. There are also four groups of twin cavities and another set of triple caves at the Yungang site. The fifth cave is located in the middle of the Yungang Grottoes. The publication of the Nomination file does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever of the World Heritage Committee or of the Secretariat of UNESCO concerning the history or legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its boundaries. The Yungang Grottoes are an ancient Buddhist temple; it is located in Datong city in the Chinese province of Shanxi, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues; represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China of the 5th and 6th centuries. Yungang Grottoes: Cave 6 - Dome The Yungang Grottoes are located in the southern foothills of the Wuzhou Mountains, 17 kilometers west of the city of Datong in Shanxi Province, China. Yungang Grottoes Datong, Datong Attraction - visitourchina.com Photos: The Yungang Grottoes Research Academy, Figure 9. The cave's surface area is approximately 1,000 square meters. The Nomination files produced by the States Parties are published by the World Heritage Centre at its website and/or in working documents in order to ensure transparency, access to information and to facilitate the preparations of comparative analysis by . Cave 9 interior, north wall of antechamber, east side upper niche with Buddha Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna; The Yungang Grottoes are located 16 km west of Datong and comprise about 53 caves and 51,000 statues. There is an interesting legend that a horse from heaven once left a mark from its hoof there, so the place was named Mati Temple (mati means 'horse's hoof'). Yungang Grottoes | Discover 1500 years of History in 254 Caves At the same time, the complete 3D model can provide orthophotos for all of the niches and reliefs in the grottoes from multiple points of view, which can be used as a base map for drawing an archaeological line graph (fig. The site stretches about 1 kilometer from east to west and was hollowed from the sandstone cliffs of the Wuzhou Mountains during the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Northern Wei dynasty. "We have made progress in preventing damage caused by pollution and weather, and we are now shifting our focus to minimizing the effects by visitors," Zhang said. Tea, Chinese Kung Protections by other conservation instruments. All Rights Reserved. The grotto statue style also has its own characteristics. Formerly, wooden temples protected the entrances to these caves; but the fire destroyed these temples. Like most immovable cultural heritage sites, the Yungang Grottoes are being eroded by natural forces such as wind, rain, moisture, inorganic salts, and bacteria. There are about 2,100 caves and niches, over 40 cremation urns, 3,600 inscribed stone tablets, and over 100,000 Buddhist images and statues. It took about 65 years to make the sculptures adorning the Yungang Grottoes. Many of the grottoes are exposed to the open air, and are therefore vulnerable to various forms of pollution and deterioration. Lou Yangsheng, Party secretary of Shanxi province, attended the launch ceremony of the Yungang Grottoes Academy. Cave 9 interior, north wall of antechamber, east side upper niche with Buddha Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna; The Yungang Grottoes are located 16 km west of Datong and comprise about 53 caves and 51,000 statues. They are excellent examples of rock-cut architecture and one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China. Manage Settings Yungang Grottoes | For UNESCO World Heritage Travellers | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us. Yungang Caves) are one of three major Buddhist caves complexes in China. Discover the hidden gems. Dunhuang's Mogao Caves, or Mogao Grottoes, lie in the steep cliff of Mingsha Mountain, which is located in a desert. "We can have a close look at every detail of the caves the statues and the decorations. No matter whether you are in a group tour, an independent traveler, or in a private tour, you will need to be in a group that is led by the scenic area's staff. The 3D model, which may be browsed and shared for free, has been uploaded to Sketchfab: see https://skfb.ly/6SxrK. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 5/9/2011), architecture, decorative arts, deities, Buddhism and art--China, Silk Road, Buddhist cave art, Chinese, Northern Wei, Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only, Architecture, Urban Planning, and Visual Arts. The sole responsibility for the content of each Nomination file lies with the State Party concerned. According to the time of excavation, it can be divided into three periods: early, middle and late phases. The Yungang Grottoes (a.k.a. The monk Tan Yao led the works during the elaboration. The Yungang Grottoes Site is one of the three top cave clusters in China constructed in the Wei Kingdom era and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A suite of technologies consisting of highly accurate surveying and mapping, 3D laser scanning, geographic information systems, computer networks, and artificial intelligence has been assembled gradually for the documentation of history and the permanent preservation of cultural heritage. There are 83 caves, but only 40 of them have retained mural paintings and these cover a total area of 1,200 square meters. The Yungang Grottoes are considered by UNESCO to be a "masterpiece of early Chinese Buddhist cave art [and] represent the successful fusion of Buddhist religious symbolic art from south and central Asia with Chinese cultural traditions, starting in the 5th century CE under Imperial auspices. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our Located at the southern foot of the Wuzhou Mountain, some 16 km west of Datong city, Shanxi province, the Yungang Grottoes were built against the mountain and extend about one km (0.62 miles) from east to west. The Yungang Grottoes were dug over a span of forty years (CE 453-493), during the Northern Wei Dynasty. High-resolution digital orthophotos can be conveniently displayed during the application process. Only with the surviving paintings can you imagine how fantastic the caves looked before. There are 42 caves with 250 colored statues and about 5,000 square meters of mural paintings. For more information, read Michigan Publishing's access and usage policy. Ministry of Culture and Tourism, P.R.China. 3-1 to reach Yungang Grottoes. The caves are carved into a cliff of an isolated peak. It is said to be the sutra translation for Tan Yao. The results, however, have become invaluable primary sources for archaeological research, virtual exploration, and public education on the Yungang Grottoes. There are 53 major caves, along with 51,000 niches housing the same number of Buddha statues. In the center of Cave 1, two square columns are carved. A rapid evolution of the Han style occurred during this time; the themes are different from those used frequently before. Each floor is engraved with three attic shrines. In 2001, the Yungang Grottoes were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Bottom) Users wearing VR headsets. Yungang is among the earliest rock-cut Buddhist cave-temple complexes in China, with over 45 major caves and over 200 smaller niches. A sitting Buddha statue is in the south side, a Buddha statue leans against the west side, the north side is carved with Ying Duobao's sitting image, and the east side is carved with the Maitreya crossing his bare feet. The area was excavated along the mountain, extending 1 km (0.62 miles) from east to west, revealing 53 caves and over 51,000 stone statues. The 33rd cave is the most famous cave with a painting of the Buddha's nirvana. of China with those looking for a more authentic travel experience, Most Popular China Tour Ideas and Planning Tips. River Cruise, Chinese You should set aside half a day for visiting the Yungang Grottoes. Festivals, Chinese Planning to visit the city of Datong in Shanxi? The grottoes are carved into the mountains and stretch for 1 km. The Bingling Temple, also known as the Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves, is on a cliff at the side of the Yellow River. (Top) Orthophoto of the faade of the whole Yungang Grottoes site. All of the grottoes were excavated in the fifth and sixth centuries along a one-kilometer stretch following the contours of the mountains. Yungang Grottoes (China) No 1039 - UNESCO World Heritage Centre It is the model for the art of grottoes in northern China and the source of the "slim bones". 3D-printed replica of Yungang Grotto 3 installed in the Qingdao City Media Plaza, December 2017. That is the largest Buddha statue in the Yungang Grottoes. The origin of these cavities, which are directly carved in the hollow of the mountain, dates back more than 1500 years. 2000. The Maijishan Grottoes are famous for their clay sculptures. Figure 5a. Cave 6 almost has a perfect rectangular shape. UNESCO World Heritage page about Yungang Grottoes, Protecting the Yungang Grottoes from Air Pollution Damage, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yungang_Grottoes&oldid=1151945604, "The Oldest Buddhist Stone Monuments known to China - fifth-century sculptures at Wu Chou Shan", well-illustrated feature in, This page was last edited on 27 April 2023, at 06:12. Yungang Grottoes - Chinaculture.org Some features of this site may not work without it. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. WebGL must be enable, Declaration of principles to promote international solidarity and cooperation to preserve World Heritage, Heritage Solutions for Sustainable Futures, Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), Reducing Disasters Risks at World Heritage Properties, World Heritage and Sustainable Development, World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Initiative on Heritage of Religious Interest, Download World Heritage Properties into different formats (RSS/XML/KML), Chart of the Protective Areas of Yungang Grottoes. Work was begun at Yungang by the emperor Wenchengdi (reigned 452-465). Phase II, after 465 AD. However, they were then renovated. Yungang Grottoes. The Yungang Grottoes Research Academy has published many panoramic photos on the internet for virtual exploration, including views from outside the grottoes, inside the grottoes, and from the air. Photos: The Yungang Grottoes Research Academy. "We aim to build the academy into an authoritative platform for the research on local Buddhist culture and arts and promote the globalization of Yungang studies," Lou said. Photo: The Yungang Grottoes Research Academy. The Longmen Caves, as they are also called, are of great value to the history of world sculpture. The site is located about 16km west of the city of Datong, in the valley of the Shi Li river at the base of the Wuzhou Shan mountains. One of the Yungang Grottoes Academy's solutions is to divert visitors to nearby facilities, easing pressure on the caves. Originally, most of the sculptures were painted but only a few statues currently have traces of paint. In the Wei Kingdom era, the city became the center of politics, economics, and culture. Yungang grottoes - Smarthistory Several different brands of 3D scanners, including Leica, FARO, and RIEGL, were used in the digitization of the Yungang Grottoes. Judging from the actual results of these exhibitions, a grotto replica can serve more visitors than a VR system with better immersion. Make sure to visit this attraction at the time of your trip to China and leave your comments and experiences for us. Yungang Grottoes - UNESCO World Heritage Centre In December of 2017, a full-size replica of the rear room of Yungang Grotto 3 officially debuted in the Qingdao City Media Plaza (fig. In order to further improve the level of digital conservation of the cultural heritage at the Yungang Grottoes and to introduce more advanced technological achievements into the work of the Yungang Grottoes Research Academy, in 2016 the Academy invited Zhejiang University, Hangzhou; Wuhan University, Hubei Province; Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture; Beijing Beijianda Technology Company; and Datong Reconnaissance Institute to establish the Digital Yungang Joint Laboratory. In Yungang, collaborative activities included environmental monitoring to assess the extent and effect of weathering due to pollution, wind, rain and extreme temperatures. Cave 12. The imperial patronage ended 494 AD with the move of the Wei court to the new capital of Luoyang. Yungang Grottoes | SpringerLink Not all of the caves are open to the public but you will have the chance to go into dozens of them to see the relics inside. This represents the highest level carving skills, which was inherited from the Han Dynasty. From Central Station, take the tourist bus line 603 and Get off at Yungang station. It is impossible for you to see these in the real caves," Wang said. These are double grottoes. The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international communitys efforts to protect and preserve. Yungang caves | cave temples, China | Britannica Yungang Grottoes - Buddha's smile for thousands of years On the east, west and south sides, many Buddha statues and shrines are engraved. The applications of digital technologies for the conservation, documentation, exhibition, research, and management of the grottoes have been implemented successfully to great effect. Different tour groups will visit different caves, but the must-see caves will be included in the visit. Some sculptures are between 10 and 30 meters high and some of them are a few cm. 3D Scanning and Digital Conservation Efforts of the Yungang Grottoes The cost would be about 50 RMB and it takes about an hour from the downtown Datong. There are 221 caves, 10,632 clay sculptures, and more than 1,300 square meters of mural paintings. The cave complex, a popular tourist destination, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. At the same time, all of the fragments were 3D scanned in high precision, greatly aiding the virtual restoration process (fig. It is 15 meters high. Try new and This replica grotto is intended to give the residents of Qingdao, a city in Shandong Province one thousand kilometers away from Datong, the opportunity to experience the splendor of the Yungang Grottoes. 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