Grotto 17

The 17th cave was dug in the Northern Wei Dynasty (middle fifth century AD), more than 1,500 years ago, is a relatively large cave in Yungang Grottoes, which has a Maitreya Buddha statue up to 15 meters high.

Yungang Grottoes have many unique places because of their unique geological characteristics. He is not as hard as Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, so many of the caves need to be built outside to restore the temple appearance. These sheds are not designed to be beautiful, but to protect the buildings and artworks in each grotto from damage. So the restoration and protection of the grotto is really a very important thing, and the same is true of the 17 grottoes.

The 16th to 20th caves are the first five caves opened by Master Yu in Yungang Grottoes, known as the "Five Grottoes". The 17th cave is a Maitreya statue in the image of the Ming and Yuan emperors of Northern Wei, and the erosion is very strong. Interestingly, the past Buddha in the west is a standing statue, while the future Buddha on the east is a sitting statue.

The first phase of Yungang Grottoes - one of the five caves, a giant space, an oval plane, a tall dome, and a huge stone Buddha built on the mountain - symbolizes the son of Taiwu Emperor in Northern Wei.

[Introduction] Maitreya Sanzun Cave (17th Cave) This statue is carved according to Wen Chengdi's father, that is, the scene of the civil unrest in the court without ascending to the throne. The main statue is15.6 meters high, which is the largest one in Yungang Grottoes. Ancient Greek columns support the left hand, wearing a high treasure crown, under a long skirt, with a strong exotic atmosphere. [Explanation] There is no tour guide to explain the tour is too expensive, you must ask the official commentator to talk, about 100 yuan, or download the scenic spot [Yungang Grottoes explanation app] to 10 yuan, very good, very detailed, very interesting.

The 16th ～ 20th Grottoes of Yungang Grottoes belong to the early grottoes, also known as the Wu Grottoes. He, from a small family, practiced in Beiliang in his early years. After Wei Taiwu Emperor Tuoqiu destroyed Beiliang, he was also taken by the northern Wei Wei to Pingcheng Datong. In Pingcheng, he and the northern Wei Prince Tuoqiu made a reversible friendship.