Introduction to Yungang Grottoes

In the Northern Wei Dynasty, the excavation of the Yungang Grottoes started from the early peace period of Emperor Wencheng (460) and continued until the fifth year of Zhengguang (524) of Emperor Xiaoming, a period of more than 60 years. After that, in the Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui and early Tang Dynasties, Pingcheng was changed to Heng'an Town, Yunzhong County.

After the early Tang Dynasty, Pingcheng showed a depressed situation, and the construction of Yungang Grottoes was affected by many factors. There were no major projects.

During the Liao and Jin Dynasties, during the Xingzong and Daozong periods of the Liao Dynasty, the Liao royal family carried out large-scale renovations to the Wuzhoushan Grotto Temple that lasted for ten years. Ten major temples were built in front of the grotto, including Tongle, Lingyan, Jingchong, Zhenguo, Huguo, Tiangong, Chongfu, Tongzi, Huayan, and Tushita, and more than a thousand Buddha statues were renovated. .

In modern times, after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the main caves of the Yungang Grottoes and the wooden structures in front of the caves (Caves 5, 6, and 7) are well preserved. In 1952, a special protection agency was set up, and the cultural relics of the grottoes were properly protected and open to the public.

Extended information:

Heritage value

The Yungang Grottoes are the beginning of the "Chineseization" of grotto art. The Chinese palace architectural style carvings that appeared in the Yungang Grottoes in the middle period, and the Chinese-style Buddhist niches developed on this basis, were widely used in the construction of cave temples in later generations. The layout and decoration of the late Yungang Grottoes more prominently display the strong Chinese architectural and decorative style, reflecting the continuous deepening of the "Sinicization" of Buddhist art.

Heritage Protection

The Yungang Grottoes have experienced 1,500 years of vicissitudes. Due to changes in the geological and environmental conditions of the grotto area, they have experienced natural weathering and man-made destruction to varying degrees, resulting in The caves and statues were damaged to varying degrees. In history, the Yungang Grottoes have also experienced different methods of protection and restoration. Especially since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Yungang Grottoes have undergone many large-scale repairs and protections, so that the grottoes have been properly protected.

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