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  Must recommend Datong.


I went to Datong about three years ago, it takes about 2 hours by high-speed train from Beijing. The tourism resources are much richer than I imagined, and compared to many internet-famous cities, it is more low-key. You can easily spend a weekend of 2 days or add 1-2 more days to fully explore it.


Come and recommend a 4-day 3-night travel itinerary that can be directly copied, and you can adjust it according to your own time and preferences ——


Day 1 Datong Ancient City ： Huayan Temple - Daiwang Palace - Ancient City Wall Square


Datong, as the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and a secondary capital during the Liao and Jin Dynasties, may not be as famous as the ancient cities of Xi'an and Luoyang, but it still has the aura of a capital city. Unfortunately, most of the buildings in the current Datong ancient city are newly constructed, with only a few ancient structures still preserved.

  Huayan Temple


Huayan Temple is a must-see ancient building in Datong's ancient city. The attraction is located in the center of the ancient city, covering a large area. The outer layer consists of newly built 仿古 buildings in recent decades, while the true treasures are the two main halls inside, Shang Huayan Temple and Xia Huayan Temple. Note: "仿古" means "imitation ancient" or "ancient-style" in English, but it is kept in Chinese as it is a specific term often used in the context of Chinese architecture.


Shang Huayan Temple is a Liao Dynasty architectural structure, and it is also one of the largest existing Daxiongbao Hall in terms of area in China. The rulers of the Liao Dynasty were the Khitan people, whose buildings were very spacious but not tall, with proportions entirely different from those of the central plains' halls.


Lower Huayan Temple is not as grand as Upper Huayan Temple, but the Buddha statues inside are more exquisite. The "treasure of the temple"—"Eastern Venus"—is located here, it is the attendant bodhisattva beside the Buddha statue on the left.


This bodhisattva statue is much larger than expected, standing nearly 2 meters tall. Its uniqueness lies in its toothy smile and exposed back. The standards of beauty from Eastern and Western civilizations are perfectly blended in this bodhisattva statue.

  No photography inside the hall, images are from the internet

  Dai Wang Fu


The Prince's Mansion is known as the "Little Forbidden City of Datong." The original buildings, like those of the Forbidden City, were constructed during the Ming Dynasty. The existing structures are reconstructions, and they are among the largest and most complete wooden ancient buildings currently reconstructed in China. Just standing at the entrance, one can feel the grandeur of the palace.


When we went, the building was still in the finishing stage and not open to the public. After operating for a period last summer, it closed again, and it is currently planned to reopen on May 1, 2023.

  Ancient City Wall Square


The Datong Ancient City Wall has been entirely restored with brickwork on the original site from ancient times. It is highly recommended to climb up before sunset to see the scenery of both day and night. Bicycles and tandem bikes can also be rented on the city wall.


Datong has relatively loose regulations on drone management. We flew one on the city wall, and after sunset, the lights began to twinkle. Looking out from the ancient city at the city skyline gives a strong sense of the contrast between the ancient and modern urban landscapes.

  Day 2 Yungang Grottoes


No need for much talk, the Yungang Grottoes are Datong's most famous and splendid calling card. As one of China's four major grottoes, it was initially constructed during the Northern Wei period, with a history of over 1500 years. The Yungang Grottoes are located to the northwest of Datong City, about a half-hour drive away, and it's worth setting aside a whole day to explore them in detail.


The most spectacular caves are the early and mid-period caves. The early Five Caves of Tan Yao are located at the farthest end, with colossal Buddha statues that exude a solemn and majestic presence. Many of the mid-period caves still retain the colors applied during their restoration in the Qing Dynasty, and they incorporate elements from multiple cultures, including India, Greece, and Rome, making them extremely exquisite and the most interesting to view.


If you just take a cursory look at the grottoes, you can finish in less than an hour. If you find a tour guide to explain each grotto in detail, it will take 1.5-2 hours or even more. I strongly recommend finding a tour guide. Although there are also electronic tour guides, the guides provide more interesting and detailed explanations.


Besides the grottoes, there are many other places to visit and see in the scenic area. I recommend everyone to visit the grottoes first, then go to the Yungang Museum to learn about the history of the Northern Wei Xianbei people, and finally visit the Yungang Study to buy souvenirs.


There is a cafe near the exit of the Yungang Museum, where you can try desserts with "Xianbei characteristics."


Please note that taking photos inside the color cave is not allowed! Everyone must 自觉遵守 when visiting. If you really like it, it is recommended to buy a cave picture album before leaving. Moreover, most of the Buddha statues are very large and not suitable for taking commemorative photos. The most suitable one for photos is the large Buddha in Cave No. 20. There is a sloping railing on the left side of the large Buddha, which is the best spot for taking photos.


Day 3 Suspended Temple - Ying County Wooden Tower


The itinerary for this day revolves around the surroundings of Datong City, also featuring several ancient architectural wonders.

  Xuankong Temple


Xuankong Temple is located in the Hengshan Scenic Area, about an hour's drive from Datong city. This is a quite unique building, with a sheer cliff on the left and a deep abyss on the right, making it a one-of-a-kind existence nationwide.


This was built by a Taoist priest during the Northern Wei Dynasty, as he had a dream in which an immortal asked him to build a temple in a place that is “upward extending to the celestial guests, downward isolated from the noisy and floating world.” This is why the Hanging Temple is built on a cliff.


Of course, it's not really completely suspended. The ancients chiseled beams into the mountain body, using the principle of levers to distribute the weight. As for the vertical rods that can be seen on the surface, they are just used for auxiliary support.


After all, it is a temple built on a cliff, with a very delicate structure. Although small in size, it has three floors and dozens of Buddhist halls, integrating Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with exquisite details. The combination of red, green, yellow, and blue is very ancient and harmonious, and the carved beams and painted rafters are meticulously crafted. The most beautiful is the Lei Yin Hall, which is filled with various levels of detailed and three-dimensional auspicious clouds and flying celestial beings, making it the most awe-inspiring place in the temple.


The most important thing when visiting the Hanging Temple is to wear comfortable shoes, as the temple is very dangerous, steep, and narrow inside. I do not recommend elderly people and children to climb the temple, because the stairs are very steep, and there are only low railings around with no additional guardrails, which can be a bit dangerous.


If you get a tour guide to explain at the Hanging Temple, it will take about an hour and a half to finish. Since it is located within the Hengshan Scenic Area, you can also take the opportunity to climb Hengshan after the tour.

  Ying County Wooden Tower


The Ying County Wooden Tower, also known as the Shakyamuni Tower, is one of the three great wonders of the world and the oldest and tallest existing wooden tower, standing at 67.31 meters, originally constructed during the Liao Dynasty. The tower houses two Shakyamuni Buddha tooth relics.


As a wooden structure, the Ying County Wooden Tower has withstood numerous disasters such as earthquakes, wars, and bombardments for a thousand years, all thanks to its unique architectural design, making it a marvel in the history of architecture. This ancient building, which only laymen can appreciate superficially, must be accompanied by a tour guide at the entrance to truly make the visit worthwhile. Its complex structure also makes it difficult to repair, so those who have the opportunity should hurry to visit, as it might not be visible after another natural disaster.


Day 4 Datong Volcano Group - Datong Earth Forest

  Datong Volcano Group


In addition to historical architecture, the area around Datong also has unique geological features, such as a cluster of more than 30 volcanic cones. The natural scenery here is relatively unusual, and the scenic area is well developed with flat boardwalks, providing a comfortable experience. If you have a drone, the view from the air is even more impressive.


However, it seems that the scenic area is under construction at the moment, so it's recommended to check in advance whether it is open.

  Datong Tulin


In recent years, the new "Martian landscape" attraction, with its dry and magnificent gullies formed by rain erosion, resembles the veins of the earth. Due to the same reason of rain formation, the appearance of the earth forest changes over time, and the classic view featured on the ticket is now much smaller.


The area inside is not as large as imagined, so don't set your expectations too high. It's more suitable for a leisurely walk and taking photos. Besides the unique landforms, there is also a small lake with reed beds nearby, where you can capture some different scenery. About an hour is enough. If you have a drone, be sure to bring it.


Published on 2023-04-16 17:55・IP Location: Beijing

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