Yulin Grottoes
- Chinese Name: 榆林窟
- Add:甘肃省酒泉市瓜州县南75公里榆林河畔(踏实河)
- Opening Time: 09:00-17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:30)
- Tickets: Ordinary cave tickets: 40 yuan/person for domestic guests, 55 yuan/person for foreign guests (including 15 yuan for foreign language explanation fees)
- Tel: 400-997-1608
- The time when the grottoes were excavated: the Northern Wei Dynasty before the Sui and Tang Dynasties
Yulin Grottoes
History background
The Yulin Grottoes are part of the Dunhuang Grottoes, excavated before the Sui and Tang Dynasties. There are 43 existing caves in the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Xixia, Yuan and other dynasties, distributed on the cliffs on the east and west banks of Yulin, 32 on the East Cliff, 11 on the West Cliff, 4,200 square meters of murals, and 259 painted sculptures, accounting for about 100,000 square meters. One-ninth of the total area of Gaoku murals. Yulin Grottoes are in the same line as Mogao Grottoes in terms of content, artistic style and painting form, and they are both sister caves.
The Aesthetic Value of Murals
The value of Yulin Grottoes is mainly reflected in the exquisite murals, including exquisite portraits of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, grand paintings of Buddhist stories, a wide variety of flowers and animals, and extremely exquisite decorative patterns.
Most of the murals were created during the 800 years from the Tang Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty. Some images are not seen in grottoes in other regions, such as the portraits depicting the support of the Cao family of the Jiedushi in Guazhou (Cave 19), the images of the painters of the Dugou Academy of Painting, and the sand paintings. The craftsmen of the state are engaged in the portrait of the envoy Bao Bao of the Painting Academy, the statue of Wu Baolin, the known painter (Cave 35), the portrait of the Dangxiang military officer in the Western Xia Dynasty, and the picture of Tang monks learning Buddhist scriptures, etc. Among them, the Tang Dynasty murals in Cave 25 are rare treasures in the world.
Yulin Grottoes Video
Yulin Grottoes Tourist Map
Comparison between Yulin Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes
fame and influence：
Yulin Grottoes are not as famous as Mogao Grottoes, but the internal inventory are all peerless masterpieces. Under the explanation of the guide, you will be impressed by this priceless treasure hidden in the deep mountains and cliffs.Yulin Grottoes are not advertised to the outside world, which is why it has always been a little deserted. Research and protection seem to be more important here, which is why many precious murals and sculptures here are almost completely preserved.
maintain integrity：
The caves in Mogao Grottoes basically have no front chambers, and they all collapsed, so the color of the murals inside has faded very badly, while Yulin Grottoes are better preserved than Mogao Grottoes.
Although Yulin Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes are in the same line of content, artistic style, and painting form, they are both sister caves. However, since most of the Yulin Grottoes have corridors and then the main cave, they are relatively less affected by the natural environment. In addition, due to the attention and advice of relevant state officials, Western explorers were not able to enter the Yulin Grottoes for exploration or even looting. Therefore, both sculptures and murals in the caves are much better protected than Mogao Grottoes.
Quantity and quality of murals：
The murals of Mogao Grottoes are the highest in the country in terms of quantity and quality, so Yulin Grottoes is a treasure house of mural art second only to Mogao Grottoes.
Opening hours of special grottoes:
The special caves of Yulin Grottoes are open in peak season and off-season, while the special caves of Mogao Grottoes are only open in off-season.
Appointment Difficulty：
Yulin Grottoes has fewer people than Mogao Grottoes, Yulin Grottoes has 3,000 reserved tickets per day, which is much easier than Mogao Grottoes
Q:Is Yulin Grotto worth visiting?
A:As long as time permits, Yulin Grottoes are worth a visit
In Yulin Grottoes, there are only 20,000 tourists every year. When visiting here, it often takes 30-40 minutes to listen to an explanation, but this is a scenic spot where you can really enter the history and culture of the grottoes. It is said to be a scenic spot, but it is more like a grotto research institute.
Yulin Grottoes Travel Guide
Travel Tips:
The daily reception capacity of Yulin Grottoes is 3,000 people, so it is necessary to make an appointment to buy tickets in advance，WestChinaGo will help to Pre-Reserve for customer.
Special Conservation Cave Tickets:
- Cave 2: 100 yuan/person,
- Cave 3: 150 yuan/person,
- Cave 4: 100 yuan/person,
- Cave 25: 200 yuan/person.
(Tickets for visiting special caves are purchased at the cultural and creative store in the scenic area. After purchase, register at the tour guide’s explanation office in the scenic area, and then wait in line for the visit according to the arrangement of the staff)
Yulin Grottoes Transfer: Car Rental with Driver
