Tips for Visiting the Yungang Grottoes: A Comprehensive Guide

1. How to Navigate the Yungang Grottoes Efficiently by Car?

During non-peak seasons or when crowds are sparse, simply navigate to the Yungang Grottoes parking lot and park within the scenic area. However, during busy holidays, if traffic is heavy, it is advisable to navigate to “Jinfu Garden” and park in the parking lot in front of a car wash or along a nearby road, several hundred meters from the entrance of the scenic area. This avoids congestion in front of the scenic spot and ensures a smooth departure after your visit.

2. How to Capture Stunning Photographs at the Yungang Grottoes?

Arrive early! The scenic area typically opens at 9 am, but during holidays, staff may open earlier depending on the crowd situation, although this is not always announced. During my visit during the Qingming holiday, the gates opened at 7 am, allowing me to capture photos with minimal crowds. It’s worth waking up early to capture the grottoes at their most serene and beautiful.

3. Recommended Visiting Order at the Yungang Grottoes?

I personally recommend visiting the grottoes at least twice. On the first visit, focus on photography and arrive early to capture all desired photo spots before the crowds arrive. On the second visit, return to the entrance and hire a guide to accompany you for a more in-depth tour. After listening to the guide’s explanations, you may even choose to visit a third time to fill in any gaps and ensure a comprehensive experience. Given the rarity of visiting such a place, it’s worth making the most of your time.

4. Is a Guide Necessary?

I personally recommend hiring a guide. Before your visit, it’s advisable to watch some documentaries about the Yungang Grottoes on platforms like Bilibili to familiarize yourself with the site. Then, during your visit, follow the guide for a more enriching experience. Guides are categorized into gold, silver, bronze, and regular levels based on their work experience and fees vary accordingly. You can also join a group on-site, with a maximum of 10 people per guide. A gold-level guide costing 380 yuan per group translates to just 38 yuan per person, making it a worthwhile investment. Guides are generally friendly and informative, allowing you to ask questions throughout the tour, which typically lasts about an hour.

5. Additional Tips:

Within the scenic area, you’ll find various stamping stations, as well as attractions like Lingyan Temple, the Yungang Museum, and the Commemorative Hall of Premier Zhou Enlai, all worth exploring. While there are shuttle buses available, they are not necessary.