The Taoist inscriptions left in the Yulin Grottoes date back to the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, and were left either by Taoists or by Taoist followers and common visitors. An investigation of the caves suggests that the earliest Taoist inscription was left in cave 15 in the 55th year of the Qianlong era during the Qing dynasty. The contents of these inscriptions are related to sutra reciting, praying, paying homage, pilgrimage, and seeking ways to become immortal, etc. These inscriptions have great historical value and have provided abundant written material for studying Taoism in ancient northwest China. Moreover, the Yulin Grottoes also preserves inscribed tablets dating to the Guangxu era during the Qing dynasty, which are also valuable physical artifacts.
