Yungang Grottoes, Datong, China Feb. 11, 2025

What do 51,000 ancient statues have in common? They all call the Yungang Grottoes in China home! This masterpiece of early Buddhist art is near Datong in Shanxi province, northeastern China. Carved into sandstone cliffs over 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534/535 CE), the grottoes contain 254 caves. The highlight is the massive Buddha in Cave 5, which is a jaw-dropping 18 metres tall. But don"t stop there—each cave offers something unique. Some are like ancient storyboards, depicting tales from Buddhist scriptures, while others showcase detailed carvings of monks, deities, musicians and even scenes of daily life under Wei rule.

© Eric Yang/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A sky full of stars
Feb. 11, 2026Death Valley National Park, California, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec. 4, 2025International Cheetah Day
Oct. 28, 2025The Gothic Gate in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czechia
Apr. 8, 2026Seattle, Washington, United States
Nov. 5, 2025Peña Roya beech forest, Moncayo Natural Park, Aragon, Spain
Mar. 11, 2024Koala sleeping in a eucalyptus tree, Australia
Jan. 2, 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
When life imitates art
Come on, guys, this way!
Jan. 25, 2026Burns Night in Scotland
Mar. 20, 2026Spring equinox
Step back in time...
Apr. 13, 2024Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Aug. 14, 2025Cable car station on Piz Nair mountain, Graubünden, Switzerland
Jun 27, 2026Canadian Multiculturalism Day
Jun. 21, 2025World Giraffe Day
Hovering over harmonious horticulture
Feb. 27, 2026International Polar Bear Day
A glowing square of squares
Mar. 1, 2025Aurora borealis over Maligne Lake in Alberta
May 11, 2026Great Barrier Reef from above, Queensland, Australia
Sep. 3, 2025Grizzly bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States
Mar. 15, 2025Pacific Rim Whale Festival
This lake is no mirage
An oasis in the desert
Apr. 23, 2025Shakespeare Day
Aug. 25, 2024Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
May 17, 2026Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, United States
An experiment in sustainability
Jul. 12, 2024Mount Rainier National Park
Jul. 5, 2025Tour de France