Visitors queue to check out Yungang Grottoes. [Photo/Datong Daily]

The Yungang Academy has announced that Yungang Grottoes Scenic Area received over 5.28 million visits in 2025, an 18.87 percent increase from the previous year and setting a new historical record.

Guided by its cultural tourism principle of "protection first", the Yungang Grottoes has successfully managed the surge in visitors through sophisticated management practices.

By implementing a strategy of "reservation and diversion, flexible hours, and technology warnings", the site has optimized visitor satisfaction while ensuring safety. In the core grotto areas, real-time monitoring and dynamic warning systems have been installed, utilizing sensors to regulate visitor density.

The academy applied hyperspectral technology to Caves 7 and 8 for the first time, achieving comprehensive documentation of geometric shapes and material composition, heralding a new era in digital preservation.

The academy also organized several academic seminars, published numerous works, and hosted a series of exhibitions to highlight the intrinsic value of cultural heritage. The world's first Yungang digital asset transformation multimedia exhibition debuted, showcasing Yungang's aesthetics to a global audience.

The Yungang Grottoes ranked third on the Meadin China Top 100 5A Scenic Spots list, enhancing its competitiveness in the cultural tourism market and creating significant opportunities to expand partnerships and attract professional talent.

Special art exhibitions also garnered widespread attention, and agreements were signed with six universities, including the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Tsinghua University, further extending Yungang's cultural influence and reach.