A Hidden Summer Treasure in Shanxi for Check-in, Tianlongshan Grottoes, So Off the Beaten Path That Many Taiyuan Locals Haven't Visited

During my trip in Shanxi, after visiting Jinci, my friend took us to the Tianlongshan Grottoes. Before that, I had never heard of or even knew about these grottoes, assuming it was just an ordinary tourist attraction. But to my surprise, it was far from ordinary. After listening to the introduction, I learned that the Tianlongshan Grottoes were carved during the Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang dynasties, with a history of nearly 1500 years. Between the east and west peaks, there are 25 caves, with more than 500 statues, and over 1000 pieces of reliefs, caisson ceilings, and murals... The carving techniques of the Tianlongshan Grottoes are skillful, the expressions are delicate, and they possess distinct characteristics of the times and a rich sense of life. They hold a high artistic value and occupy an important position in the history of grottoes in China and the world. 💢The largest and most unmissable grotto is the ninth one—Mantian Pavilion. A grand wooden pavilion is built above the cave to protect the stone carvings. Inside the cave, the Maitreya Buddha, the eleven-faced Avalokitesvara, the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva riding an elephant, and the Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a lion are all very spectacular. However, due to theft, weathering, and other factors, the damage and loss to the Tianlongshan Grottoes are extremely severe. The sight of the broken and fragmented statues is heartbreaking 😭. I hope there will be strengthened protection for the grottoes, and that the Buddha heads and bodies that have been lost overseas will soon return. 📍Address: Tianlongshan, Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province.