The cave, rectangularly shaped in plane, enjoys the reputation of a “thousands-buddha cave” as it is carved with Buddhist images all over its surface walls. On the top of the shrine in the centre of its western wall are carved algae, fish and birds in relief as well as in incised lines for ornamental purpose. There can also be seen groups of sea gulls flying in the sky and fish swimming in the water in vivid and graceful shapes.

Cave 16 to 20 are the five earlist caves at Yungang Grotto site, which constructed under the supervision of the head Monk Tanyao during the reign of Heping of Emperor Wencheng (460-465 A.D.). They are now generally known as the “Five caves of Tanyao”. The main statue, 13.5 metres high, is a standing Sakyamuni with curly hair, wearing a loose gown with wide ribbon tide up in front of his chest. His evenly-pleated gown is in the style of Taihe's reign after the reform.

The main image is a cross-legged maitreya, wearing a jeweled crown, a bracelet and a snake-shaped necklace. His right arm is supported from underneath by vajra. Above the entrance of the south wall are the sculptured figures of seven standing buddhas, wearing loose gowns with wide ribbons. On each reveal of the window is a bodhisattva with a plump and strong body in exquisite craftsmanship.

The four pillars insides the cave have collapsed. Only the west wall has been survived and kept in a fairly good condition, which shows a carved building in the shape of a one-storeyed pagoda, and depicts the story of Vimalakirti.

The lintel of the northern entrance of the front chamber is carved with designs of lotus flowers, interlocking acanthuses, human figures, birds and animals. At its upper part is mount sumeru with peaks in line on the top and two colling dragons in the middle of the mount. The trees and animals in the mount and the incarnated boys at the bottom of the mount are vividly carved. Flying apsarases on the ceiling are sculpted in lithe and graceful postures with ribbons flying around them. The main image on the north wall in the back chamber is maitreya.