Zhongshan Grotto (Chinese: 鐘山石窟) is located at the foot of Zhong Mountain (鐘山) in Zichang (子長) County, Shaanxi (陜西) Province, China. Zhongshan Grotto is a Buddhist cave temple from the time of the Northern Song (北宋) Dynasty (960-1127).
Zhongshan Grotto consists of 18 caves and is said to go back to the time of the Eastern Jin (東晉) Dynasty (317–420), but only 5 of them have been unearthed so far.
Cave No.4 is the main cave, which is also the most beautiful one, it alone contains more than 10,000 Buddha of different sizes.
The main cave is still colorful and well preserved, unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to take photos inside.
Both Chinese and foreign archaeologists surmise that Zhongshan Grotto may be the earliest grottoes in China, which has the same historical value as Yungang Grotto, Longmen Grotto and Mogao Grotto.
There are some small caves around the main cave, although these caves are built in the later period, they are not as beautiful as the main cave.
