Yulin Caves (Yulin Grottoes) - The Sister Caves of Mogao Caves

Along the abrupt mountains and continuous low hills, a fast and turbid stream can be seen. Further on, the canyon and cliff with many elms on both sides of the canyon, the oasis in the desert just comes in front of your eyes. There are plank paths on the cliffs on both sides. Looking along the plank path, there are caves dug along the canyon, and these amazing caves are Yulin Caves.

Stunning Delicate Murals

Yulin Grottoes have been excavated before the Sui Dynasty. From the Tang Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty, there are many excellent artworks left here. Although the area of murals is not as large as Mogao Caves, many murals are more exquisite and delicate than Mogao Grottoes. Among them, cave 25 is known as the most prominent cave in the middle Tang Dynasty, and it is also one of the most excellent work in Dunhuang frescoes. In addition to cave 25, the mural about the Monk Xuanzang in cave 3 is also a representative work during Xixia Period. There are large-scale delicate ink landscapes paintings respectively, which can easily remind people of the painting style in the Southern Song Dynasty.

Less Crowded During the Peak Season

Staying untouched from the outside world, Yulin Caves seems lonely for centuries, for which these precious murals and sculptures have been well preserved. Currently, the Research center has also been established here.

During the peak season, Mogao Caves can only host 6000 visitors per day. You can often see many people queuing up for a visit. However, in Yulin Cave, there are only 20,000 tourists every year. The murals and sculptures follow the same spirit of the Mogao Caves and some murals in Yulin Caves are even more colorful than Mogao Grottoes because of their remote location and no excessive tourism development.

Recommended Tours:

>> 4 Days Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour (Silk Road Short Break)

Besides Yulin Caves, many other caves are opening to the public, including the famous Mogao Caves and Western Thousand Buddha Caves.

Mogao Caves

Mogao Caves, also known as Thousand Buddha Caves or Mogao Grottoes, listed in the world heritage site, is a group of ancient caves that were built in different dynasties. It is famous for exquisite murals and various sculptures kept inside the caves. With 735 caves, more than 45,000 square meters of murals, 2,415 colored sculptures of different size, Mogao Caves is one of the greatest repositories of Buddhist art in the world from which you can trace the development of Chinese art over 1,600 years from one dynasty to the next.>>Learn More about Mogao Caves

Western Thousand Buddha Caves

Located on a cliff about 33 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang City, to the west of the Mogao Caves, some caves are also known as the "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas", therefore they were named as Western Thousand Buddha Caves. The cave was built on the South and North cliffs of the valley which was scoured by Danghe River. There are 22 caves with a total length of 2.5km. According to the experts and archaeologists, the western thousand Buddha Caves should be built earlier than the Mogao Caves, or at least at the same time as the Mogao Caves.>>Learn More about Dunhuang Caves

★ Recommended Tours:

>> 3 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour

>> 4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour

Though the Yulin Caves do not belong to Dunhuang City, it is still recommendable to travel Yulin Caves with Dunhuang for the short distance between them. Usually, 2~4 days are needed to explore highlights of Dunhuang. The world heritage site Mogao Caves and the stunning landscape of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake are two Must- Go attractions which need a full day to visit. You can then spend one more day to explore the western region of Dunhuang to explore the history and Gobi landscape at the ruin of Great Wall, Yumenguan Pass, Yandan Landform, etc. As for the downtown sites, if time allows, don't miss the Shazhou Night Market and Dunhuang Museum.

Some travelers usually travel Yulin Caves and Dunhuang with other destinations in Gansu, such as Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Lanzhou, etc. One can even travel from Dunhuang to Turpan, Urumqi and Kashgar of Xinjiang.

★ Recommended Dunhuang Tours

- 3 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour
- 3 Days Memorable Dunhuang Tour of Art and History
- 4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour
- 6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour(Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang)

Travel Dunhuang with China Discovery

Travel with China Discovery, our professional local guide and driver will escort you from your hotel, train station, airport to all attractions with comfortable licensed private car, to catch the highlights. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us and tell us your needs, and we will customize a memorable tour for you!