Yulin Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes are like Nezha and Ao Bing

Yulin Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes are not like fish and bear's paw. Yulin Grottoes are a two-hour drive from Mogao Grottoes. Before we went to Yulin Grottoes, we were hesitant because Mogao Grottoes are the best of the best. Is it necessary to visit other grottoes? This is when the benefits of chartering a car come into play. It doesn't cost much more, just a little detour before going to Mogao Grottoes, but it takes four hours to get there and back. After visiting Yulin Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes, we thought we should go to Yulin Grottoes, especially during the peak season. Mogao Grottoes: First of all, there are many people during the peak season, and the queue is long. The tour guide is basically completing the required actions and looks very tired. Yulin Grottoes: Although there are many people during the peak season, the total number is not large, so the tour guides do not look tired. They are not task-oriented and provide a full explanation. If you are a fan of grotto murals, you can spend CNY 200 to visit the special caves. We met a group of people on site. For ordinary people visiting the grottoes for the first time, there is no need to visit the special caves. Just visit the ordinary caves. The second reason to visit is that the geographical features of Yulin Grottoes are better. The long cliff is quite impressive. The scenery along the way is also good. Are those sculptures worth seeing? I can't say. Anyway, we didn't stop to take photos, and we saved time and drove away. So I think Yulin Grottoes and Mogao Grottoes are like Nezha and Ao Bing. They each have their own merits and are worth visiting. The differences between the two are as follows: Location and scale: Mogao Grottoes: Located near Dunhuang City, with 735 caves, murals covering an area of 45,000 square meters, and 2,415 painted sculptures, it is an artistic treasure of the northwest region. Yulin Grottoes: Also known as Wanfo Gorge, located 70 kilometers south of Guazhou County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province, with 43 caves, it is relatively small in scale. Historical background: Mogao Grottoes: With a long history, it was built in the Former Qin period and has been continuously excavated and repaired over several dynasties, forming the grand scale we see today. Yulin Grottoes: Also has a long history, the caves are excavated on the cliffs on both sides of the Yulin River Gorge, and are named after the elm trees on the riverbank. Mural and painted sculpture art style: Mogao Grottoes: The murals are rich in content, including Buddha statues, transformation paintings, historical stories, etc. The painted sculptures are exquisite and well-preserved, showing the artistic styles of different historical periods. Yulin Grottoes: The murals are also exquisite, with works from the Tang to Yuan dynasties, especially the murals in the special caves, such as the Maitreya Sutra Transformation Painting in Cave 25, and the realistic pictures reflecting the social life at that time, which have unique artistic value. However, the painted sculptures in Yulin Grottoes were replaced in the Qing Dynasty, and the craftsmanship and aesthetics are relatively ordinary. Visitor experience: Mogao Grottoes: Due to its large scale and rich content, it is the first choice for history and culture lovers. However, the ticket price is relatively high, and reservations are required in advance during the peak season. Yulin Grottoes: Although the scale is small, the murals in the special caves are also breathtaking. The ticket price is relatively low, and the transportation is relatively convenient (although the road conditions are poor), suitable for tourists who like natural scenery and a quiet atmosphere.