Yulin Grottoes
榆林窟
A group of caves carved into the cliffs on both sides of the Yulin River gorge, known as the 'sister caves' of the Mogao Caves. Tang and Western Xia murals are the highlights, with Caves 25 and 3 the most famous.
The Yulin Grottoes lie in the Yulin River gorge about 70 km south of Guazhou county town. Managed by the Dunhuang Academy, 43 caves survive, preserving murals and painted sculptures from the Tang to the Yuan dynasties. The Tang-dynasty 'Contemplation of the Amitayus Sutra' in Cave 25, the Western Xia 'Samantabhadra Bodhisattva' and 'Manjushri Bodhisattva' murals in Cave 3, and the 'Monk Xuanzang Fetching Scriptures' mural are all well known. The standard ticket costs 40 yuan and includes a guided tour of five ordinary caves. Special caves such as Caves 2, 3, 4 and 25 cost an extra 100–200 yuan. Opening hours are 09:00–17:30 from May to October and 09:30–17:00 in other months, subject to Dunhuang Academy announcements. Photography is prohibited inside the caves. It takes about an hour by car or hired van from the county town, and it is often combined with Son of the Earth and Suoyang City Ruins into a one-day loop.
Opening hours
May–October 09:00–17:30; November–April 09:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Suoyang City Ruins
- Boundless Sculpture
- Son of the Earth Sculpture
- Ta'er Temple Ruins (Suoyang City)
- Red Western Route Army Anxi Battle Memorial
- Xuanzang Pilgrimage Museum
- Caosheng Hometown Culture Park
- Guazhou County Museum