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During the later period known as the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Datong used to be the capital of the Northern Wei (368-534) until 494. (Thereafter, the capital was moved to Luoyang in Henan.) The construction of the Yungang Grottoes started between 460 and 465 with the support of Emperor Wencheng, and basically stopped with the capital relocation. The first five caves were excavated under the auspices of a well-known monk Tan Yao. More than 1000 caves, big and small, were completed in total. Over 10,000 labors were involved at the peak of the construction.

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