Thirteen teachers and students from George School in the United States recently visited the Yungang Grottoes — a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site in Datong, a celebrated historical and cultural city in north China’s Shanxi Province — getting an up-close experience of the rich cultural legacy behind the thousand-year-old cave art.

Ranked among China’s largest ancient cave temple complexes, the Yungang Grottoes have a history stretching back more than 1,500 years. Carved into sandstone cliffs, the site preserves 45 major caves and over 59,000 Buddhist statues of varying sizes, and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001 in recognition of its exceptional artistic and historical value.

“It’s hard to fathom that ancient artisans could craft such delicate, elaborate carvings so long ago, without any of the modern technology and tools we rely on today,” said student Emma Wey.

That same evening, the group climbed up to the Datong Ancient City Wall. They strolled leisurely along the weathered stone ramparts, taking in sweeping panoramic views of the old city’s twinkling night scenery and absorbing the profound cultural atmosphere of this well-preserved historic destination.