The Yungang Grottoes are in Datong, Shanxi. UNESCO identifies the site with Buddhist cave art of the fifth and sixth centuries.
What does the official description record?#
UNESCO gives 252 caves and 51,000 statues in its property description. These figures describe the heritage complex; they do not tell a visitor how many caves are open on a particular day.
Why are the Five Caves mentioned separately?#
The description highlights the Five Caves associated with Tan Yao and their coordinated layout and design. A cave group is a useful unit for understanding the site, rather than treating every surviving figure as identical in period and purpose.
Keep similar names separate#
Yungang is the Datong site. It should not be confused with Longmen near Luoyang or Mogao on the Silk Road. Consult each property's own record when comparing dates or counts.