Picture of Niches in Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes contain China's largest and earliest stone sculptures. It is known as one of the three most important Grottoes in China. The grottoes were built along the mountain and extend about 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) from east to west. The construction of the caves was started under the auspices of the noted monk Tan Yao in 453 and took 50 years to complete. Some 40,000 people, including the Buddhists from what is present Sri Lanka, contributed to the huge project. The art of the Yungang Grottos may be considered a manifestation of a process of blending of cultures and religions, a process of giving a Chinese touch to Buddhist art that, at that time, was essentially Indian. Over the past 1,500 years since their completion, Yungang Grottoes have been damaged by both war and natural disasters. In December 2001, the 25th meeting of UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Helsinki, Finland, passed a decision to list Yungang Grottoes on the World Cultural Heritage List…