Luyeyuan Grottoes

Luyeyuan Grottoes

Luyeyuan is located in the north of Datong City, 8 kilometers to the East. It is built according to the mountain and sits in the north and south. There are three stone Buddhas in it. Due to the turbulence and disrepair of the cultural revolution, the site was almost in ruins. By the end of the 1990s, only two ancient Buddhas stood tall. With donations from nearby villagers and Leshan scholars, the courtyard wall and several houses have been built.

Development history

Luyeyuan is located in the north of Datong City, 8 kilometers to the East, which has been unknown for many years. Like Yungang Grottoes, Luyeyuan is built close to the mountain, with three stone Buddhas in it. Due to the turbulence and disrepair of the cultural revolution, the site was almost in ruins. By the end of the 1990s, only two ancient Buddhas stood tall. With donations from nearby villagers and Leshan scholars, the courtyard wall and several houses have been built.

According to expert research, in 398 ad, Emperor Daowu of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved his capital from Lesheng (Helingeer) to Pingcheng (Datong). Since the second year of Tianxing, Emperor Daowu has been building a lot of buildings. Among them, "Luyuan" is located in Guyin in the south, the Great Wall in the north, Baideng (Mapu mountain) in the East and Xishan (Xuegong mountain) in the West. It is tens of miles wide and is a place for Royal recreation and hunting. There are many temples, pavilions and pavilions, pines and cypresses, winding bridges, beautiful mountains and beautiful waters. Later, because Zhang Yao, the alchemist of emperor Daowu, asked to become a monk, Emperor Daowu approved to build a quiet hall in Luyuan. In this way, the construction of the grottoes began in 466 AD and was completed in 471, 23 years earlier than Yungang Grottoes. Therefore, it is of great historical significance and archaeological value.

Address: on the North cliff of Dashagou, xiaoshizi village, Junying Township, southern suburb of Datong City

Longitude: 113.25872802734

Latitude: 40.16332244873

Ticket information: free.

Chinese PinYin : Lu Ye Yuan Shi Ku