Shanxi University launches the Yungangology Research Alliance. [Photo provided to goshanxi.com.cn]

The Yungangology Research Alliance was unveiled on March 27 at Shanxi University, uniting 18 renowned institutions, including the Yungang Grottoes and Shanxi Datong University, as well as other universities, research institutes, and cultural heritage organizations.

The alliance aims to consolidate research efforts across academic institutions, grotto research units, and provincial cultural heritage organizations, creating an innovative collaborative system that transcends disciplinary, institutional, and regional boundaries.

Shanxi University has been at the forefront of Yungang studies, establishing the Yungangology Institute in 2020 and creating the China Grotto Culture Joint Graduate School in partnership with institutions such as Zhejiang University, Sichuan University, as well as research bodies including the Dunhuang Academy. The first cohort of doctoral candidates specializing in Yungang Studies graduated in 2025.

The alliance is dedicated to maintaining academic excellence and pursuing cutting-edge international research, including comprehensive planning for Yungang studies, producing landmark achievements, and fostering talent development.