The niches are distributed on the cliff is 10 meters high and 120 meters long. Most of the grottos in east Gansu are in the North Grotto Temple, including excellent grottos from the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties.

The No. 165 Grotto, at 15.7 meters deep, 21.4 meters wide and 13.2 meters high from the ground level, was built from 508-512 in the Northern Wei Dynasty. It includes eight Buddha statues at eight meters in height; 10 Bodhisattvas three to four meters tall; two cross-legged Buddha statues 5.8 meters tall; as well as many relief sculptures and carvings with images of warriors and lions.

The grottos of the Tang Dynasty make up more than two-thirds of the total grottos in the North Grotto Temple. The grotto planes are mostly square in shape or in the form of a horseshoe, and some of them have wooden buildings out front. The Buddha statue in the No.32 grotto, together with a disciple, Bodhisattva and warrior on both sides, is carved in smooth and thin lines. It is an excellent representative of the Tang Dynasty.