Wangmugong Caves

CHINA, Gansu, Pingliang

Also known as the Giant Buddha Caves or Thousand Buddha Caves, they are located at the foot of Gongshan at the junction of the Jing River and Na River in Longdong (region east of Longshan). Construction in the gray sandstone of Gongshan began during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). The caves contain more than 200 statues and are the largest central pillar caves of the Longdong region. This cave system was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
The main cave faces east and is 11 m in height, 12.6 m in width, and 13 m in depth. Statues can be found on the back (west), north, and south walls as well as on the central pillar. Each wall has a similar layout with upper and lower niches; however, only the south wall is well-preserved. The central pillar is 7 m by 7.6 m and is divided into two levels: the upper level is octagonal and the lower level is square. The cave walls, covered in niches and statues, include a Buddha and several Bodhisattvas. These statues display characteristics typical of those from the second half of the Northern Wei dynasty, a time closely approximated to the creation of Yungang Grotto 6. Reliefs depicting the Life of the Buddha are found outside the niches.