Tianlongshan Grottoes, Buddhist archaeological site in Taiyuan, China.
Tianlongshan Grottoes is a Buddhist archaeological site in Taiyuan, China, where caves were carved into two mountainsides. The caves contain over 1,500 stone statues and relief carvings spread across twenty-one separate chambers.
Work on these caves began in the early period and continued over several dynasties, with each era leaving behind its own artworks. The site thus shows a long history of carving and shaping by many generations.
The sculptures in the caves show how Buddhist art developed in China and what influences arrived from Central Asia over time. You can see clearly in the carvings how artistic styles changed across different periods.
The site is easily reached by public transport from Taiyuan, as buses and taxis run regularly to the area. It helps to arrive in early morning hours so you can explore the caves with better light and fewer crowds.
In the early 20th century, many artworks from these caves were removed and scattered to museums around the world. Today digital recording efforts work to preserve these scattered pieces and make their history accessible for the future.
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