The Sumiyama Grottoes: a long history, the brilliance of art In addition to Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, Maiji Mountain Grottoes, there are many large and small grottoes on the Silk Road, they also record the dynasties of Buddhism The interpretation of the sculpture and the craftsmanship of the sculptures, the name of the Buddha's proverb "Sumi", is one of the main representatives. Sumiyama Grottoes is the largest Buddhist cave in Ningxia. It is located in Guyuan, the important town of the ancient Silk Road. The scenery here combines the unique beauty of the northwest. There are more than 150 existing caves in the Sumi Mountain, widely distributed in the Sumi Mountain. Various hills. Mishan Grottoes can be divided into several large areas according to location: Dafolou District, Zisungong District, Yuanguangsi District, Xiangguosi District, Taohuadong District, Songshuo District, Three Kiln Districts, Heishigou Area. Because of the time relationship, we chose a more classic area. Along the way, looking far away, the large and small grotto layers are stacked like a beehive. Walking in the mountains is like this, looking very close, but walking far. The caves have been preserved so far, and most of them have been incomplete. There are only 70 carved statues in the caves, of which more than 20 are more complete. The Buddha is very spectacular. You can climb the stairs and visit the Big Buddha at a close distance. In the distance, there are canyons, red rocks, green vegetation, and slow flowing water, which are more magnificent under the blue sky and white clouds.

The Xumi Mountain Grottoes

The Xumi Mountain Grottoes are located in Yuanzhou District, Guyuan City, Ningxia, situated on the northern slopes of the Xumi Mountain on the northwest side of the city. They were first carved during the Taihe period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and have seen large-scale construction during the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, and renovations and redecorations during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is the largest ancient Buddhist monastery in Guyuan, continuing for more than 1,500 years, and is one of China's earliest top ten grottoes. There are currently 162 grottoes in the Xumi Mountain Grottoes, with more than 900 statues of various sizes, distributed over 8 mountain peaks spanning 2 kilometers. The Xumi Mountain is located on the throat of the northern route of the eastern section of the Silk Road, and is a necessary path for the eastward spread of Buddhism. Grotto No. 5 is a horseshoe-shaped cliff grotto carved during the Tang Dynasty. The grotto has a width of 15.4 meters at the foot, a depth of 20 meters, and a height of 22 meters, making it one of the largest grottoes in Xumi Mountain. According to the stele inscription of 'The Record of the Reconstruction of the Yuan Guang Temple Big Buddha Tower': before the Ming Dynasty Chenghua period, there was a wooden grotto eaves tower in front of the grotto chamber, and the remaining beam holes are the clear evidence. The large Maitreya Buddha sitting in the center of the grotto is 20.6 meters high, which is the largest stone statue in Xumi Mountain and one of the largest stone statues in the country's grottoes. The Buddha's head is 5 meters, the ears are 3 meters long, and the toes are faintly visible. The Xumi Mountain Grottoes are strategically located on the mountain, scattered among the mountains. As we follow the rocky paths, although there are trails built by the scenic area, the conditions are similar to the climbing route we took to the ancient cliff dwellings in Yanqing, Beijing, twenty years ago, with some gravel sections still quite slippery. To approach the grottoes, one must proceed with caution and move slowly. Seeing the grottoes and cliff carvings chiseled out of the bizarre rocks among the mountains, we marvel at the magnificent feat created by ancient craftsmen with rudimentary tools!

Ningxia, Guyuan City, Mount Sumeru Grottoes

The Mount Sumeru Grottoes began to be carved during the Taihe period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and underwent large-scale construction during the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang dynasties, as well as renovations and redecorations in the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is the largest ancient Buddhist monastery and Zen institution in Guyuan and one of the top ten grottoes in China. There are currently 162 existing caves, distributed over eight naturally formed areas from south to north, namely the Great Buddha Tower area, Descendants' Palace area, Yuanguang Temple area, Xiangguo Temple area, Peach Blossom Cave area, Pine Tree Hollow area, Three Kiln area, and Black Stone Gully area; there are more than 500 well-preserved statues, 53 Han and Tibetan inscriptions, 3 steles, 13 fragments of steles, and over 20 square meters of murals; the total area covers 6 square kilometers.

May Day travel, a two-day tour in Guyuan, Ningxia!

👍Most recommended: For the May Day holiday, self-drive to Guyuan, Ningxia, where the road is lined with blooming flowers and beautiful scenery. ✅Must experience: Jinjiping, Highway 77, Yanzhi Gorge, Sumi Mountain Grottoes 🗓Itinerary: Yinchuan-Pengyang 🏨Hotel environment: Jingyuan Set off for Pengyang County in the morning, upon arrival, head to 【Jinjiping】 ⏳Playtime: 2 hours of touring 📍Detailed address: Jinjiping Terrace Park is located in the Yangwa watershed of Pengyang County, covering an area of 28 square kilometers. The terrain and landforms within the scenic area are mainly ridges, mounds, and gullies. In 2014, it was selected as one of the ten terrace landscapes of 'China's Beautiful Countryside' by the Ministry of Agriculture. 【Highway 77】 ⏳Playtime: 2 hours of touring 📍Detailed address: Highway 77, known as the 'Rainbow Road', in Lama Bay, Pengyang County, Guyuan City, Ningxia, is surrounded by pink mountain flowers competing in beauty. Driving slowly on the 'Rainbow' road, winding through the flower gallery, the brilliant mountain flowers and the splendid 'Rainbow' road recite the beautiful scenery of spring here. After the visit, return to the guesthouse. Day two Jingyuan-Return home 【Yanzhi Gorge】 ⏳Playtime: 2.5 hours of touring 📍Detailed address: Yanzhi Gorge is located on the east side of Yangcao Village, Huanghua Township, 8 kilometers northeast of Jingyuan County Town. It is bordered by Kongtong Mountain to the east, Liupan Mountain to the west, and faces Laolongtan to the south. The canyon is 45 kilometers long and was formed during the Ordovician period 800 million years ago. The name 'Yanzhi' evolved from the minority 'Yanzhi Clan' and the 'Yanzhi' tribe that thrived here during the Spring and Autumn period. 【Sumi Mountain Grottoes】 ⏳Playtime: 2 hours of touring 📍Detailed address: Located 55 kilometers northwest of Guyuan City in Ningxia, on Sumi Mountain, one of the ten famous grottoes in China, and the largest group of grottoes in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Its unique Danxia natural landscape, rich historical and cultural landscapes, and its romantic and magical colors have created more than a dozen unique historical and natural landscapes such as 'Big Buddha Tower', 'Sumi's Light', and 'Sumi's Pine Waves', which make people linger and marvel at the beauty of the statues. It is like stepping into a palace of religion and art, known as the 'Dunhuang of Ningxia'.

Danxia Charm — Mount Sumeru Grottoes

✅✅ One of China's top ten grottoes ✅✅ Silk Road World Cultural Heritage ✅✅ National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit ✅✅ National 4A-level Scenic Spot ✅✅ The largest grotto complex in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region ♻️♻️ The Mount Sumeru Grottoes, located on Mount Sumeru in the northwest of Yuanzhou District, Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, were first carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty, flourished during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and currently have 162 existing caves with more than 500 well-preserved statues. It is also the largest ancient Buddhist temple and Zen monastery in the Guyuan area.🕍🕍🕍 ♻️♻️ This millennium-old site is spread over eight Danxia landforms from south to north, situated in the transitional zone between clay sculpture and stone carving of grotto statues, with distinct characteristics of the times. The grotto statues and the Danxia landforms of the mountains complement each other, offering extraordinary artistic and touristic value.💯💯💯 ✅✅ Mount Sumeru's Pine Waves is one of the top ten scenic spots of Guyuan during the Qing Dynasty ✅✅ The seated Buddha of the Northern Zhou Dynasty in Cave 51, known as 'The Light of Sumeru,' is exquisitely carved, grand in scale, serene in facial expression, and graceful in posture, making it a rare treasure of grotto statues ✅✅ The main statues are distributed in eight areas: the Great Buddha Tower area, the Descendants' Palace area, the Yuan Guang Temple area, the Xiang Guo Temple area, the Peach Blossom Cave area, the Pine Tree Hollow area, the Three Kilns area, and the Black Stone Gully area 🏟️🏟️ Address: Huangduobao Street, Sanying Town, Yuanzhou District, Guyuan City 🚙🚙 Transportation: Public transportation is inconvenient, self-driving is recommended 💰💰 Ticket Price: 60 yuan

Mount Sumeru Grottoes

Mount Sumeru Grottoes is probably the most sincere spot I visited on this trip. Because this spot is located separately in Guyuan City, southern Ningxia, I detoured nearly four hundred kilometers to see it! This grotto is similar to the four major grottoes, but unfortunately, many stone statues have been worn out in history. The existing relics are scattered on eight mountains, among which, Cave No.1 and Cave No.5 are relatively well preserved. The big Buddha in Cave No.5 is about 20 meters high, which is quite spectacular. In addition, Mount Sumeru Grottoes is also the site of the Stone Gate relics, with a particularly strong cultural flavor. I hope that my sentiment of running four hundred kilometers to see a scene can be preserved for a long time...

## Sumiyama, the center of the world in ancient Indian mythology. came to Ningxia and came to the Sumi Mountain Grottoes, one of China's top ten grottoes, before I was fortunate enough to feel the Buddha's ambition. began to be drilled in the Northern Wei Dynasty. The Suishan Grottoes have a history of more than 1,400 years. After continuous cultivation and repair, there are 8 scenic spots such as Xiangguo Temple and more than 350 Buddha statues. or male in the mountains, or hidden in the mountains, or Buddha statues, or murals. Walking along the history and religious civilization, such a mountain climbing trip is particularly meaningful.