Buddhist cave art was first developed in China during the Northern Wei Dynasty around 400 A.D. The thousands of caves held temples and intricately detailed statues of Buddha and his disciples that ranged in size from the length of a finger to the size of four story building. The carving frenzy continued until the Song Dynasties hundreds of years later. Once a place for worship, these caves are now a major destination for art fans and history buffs from around the world. Of the surviving caves, the most visited are located outside the cities of Luoyang, Chongqing, and Datong.
Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes are by far the most popular of these sites. The largest of all the cave art sites in China, there are nearly 1,000 caves and over 100,000 statues to explore. These caves are staggered along the Yi River which makes for spectacular views from the opposite bank.
Chongqing is known as a large industrial city, but situated a short drive away is the Dazu Grottoes. They were carved until the Song Dynasties, later than the other sites. Therefore, the techniques used are quite different and the remaining site is better preserved with more of the original color surviving the centuries.
The oldest of the three cave sites are the Yungang Grottoes in Datong. The smallest and perhaps most off the beaten track, some argue that the Yungang caves are the most compelling. With many preserved nooks and crannies filled with an unbelieveable amount of detail, these grottoes present the best opportunity for individual exploring.
The China Guide is currently offering tours to any of these cave sites. For a full-range of its tour options, visit www.thechinaguide.com or email book@thechinaguide.com.
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