Yungang Grottoes

Yungang is a cliff-face cathedral of Buddhism: 252 caves, 51,000 statues, and the great central Buddha who has sat in serene contemplation since the 5th century. It is one of the three great cave sites of China and the most dramatic.

Go at opening for the light on the cliff, and take the caves in sequence - the early caves are the finest. Two hours is the minimum; the museum at the end is superb.