[2025 Datong Attraction] Travel Guide for Datong Clay Forest (Updated Sep)

In the quiet of the Shanxi Datong Earth Forest, gaze at the distant horizon at dusk, and the whole place is bathed in a warm orange glow, like a grand painting unfolding before your eyes. About 40 km from Datong city, it feels like stepping into another world. On this vast land, time seems to slow down, and the sky gradually turns red and purple, blending with the golden sunset. The light and shadow dance, and a gentle breeze carries the dry scent of earth and the fragrance of distant wild grass. In the lens, the Earth Forest looks even more mysterious in the afterglow of the sunset. They are like giant stones carved by time, layered and varied in shape. Those irregular lines and shapes seem to tell stories of a forgotten past. If you look closely, it seems as if there are ancient marks left on the stones, bearing witness to history. In the light of the setting sun, these Earth Forests seem to be infused with life. Looking at the colorful land bathed in the glow of the sunset, it is like a poem or a painting. Looking at the distant sky dyed red by the sunset, it is like a giant oil painting hanging in the sky. And you stand on that land, feeling the magnificence and beauty of nature. At this moment, the Shanxi Datong Earth Forest seems to be the most beautiful painting between heaven and earth, full of poetry and stories. It is a place that can intoxicate and fascinate, a paradise for photographers. At that moment, time seems to stand still, leaving only you and this beautiful land.

It is the sky that is shrouded in deep endless darkness, reaching out and not seeing the fingers, the world is silent, except for the footsteps of your own feet. In the distance, the dark shadows seem to engulf life. In the meantime, there are black shadows passing by, and you squatting and trying to see and see, and when you touch it, you will start a cats embarrassment. Or the smog, thick and heavy black clouds will completely cover the entire sky, the sky is black as if it can screw out the black dye, like the oppression before the end of the last day, the next second will collapse, the whole world will soon But the suffocation of gas. However, between the two, the dark clouds are scattered, the golden light is now, the colorful clouds are everywhere, and the clouds are thousands of miles. Or you can shuttle back and forth between the hills in the highlands, and the sky is clear and clear, and sometimes the clouds are covered with dark clouds. The mounds are changing with the light, sometimes golden, sometimes snowy, sometimes red and fireworks. Sometimes it is like an abyss. The Tulin of Datong will make your imagination no longer just for imagination, singularly magical and splendid, with you, to appreciate the different Buddha Light Datong, and another ancient charm of the same style. A soothing yellow land surrounded by mountains. The unusual view of the Datong Basin is nothing strange. But as you stroll down the slope, lie in the valley, and shuttle through the maze of gullies. There are many pillars standing next to each other, and their postures are dizzying and dazzling. It seems to be in the field of fairyland or landing on the outside planet.

The wind and rain caused the strange geological wonders. The soft sandstone soil was washed away by the rain and the dragon scales cracked. The salt and alkali precipitated over a long period of time gave the misty texture of the messy texture, like a silver snake. The pure sky adds a mysterious color to this forest, and the white earth is still clean and pure. The world is full of magnificence, and fortunately, the style of the soil. Clear air with a hint of scent of yellow land, it is refreshing and refreshing. The warm sunshine once again dyed the earth, dyed the grotesque layers of the cliff, and also stained the window of the soul. The sun is slanting, and the entire forest is intoxicated and lost in the dream. Soil loss in the soil, salt and alkali raging, under the feet is a piece of fine sand, not grass.

Climb a flat pile of peaks on top, and dazzling sunlight brightens the walls of the peaks. The clouds in the sky are so beautiful that they are beautiful and inlaid with bright golden skirts. Overlooking the forest from a height, the layers are layered, like the wrinkles of the devil. Deep in the soil, the gullies are continuous, wide or narrow, or short or deep. The long cliffs on both sides of the cliff, stacked in a wall, or as a prey to prey, or as a spiritual camel, or as an idyllic hermit, or as a god dance, or as the castle is strict, or as the Great Wall. Its grotesque and strange, and its fascinating. In the morning faint, the sun is obsessed. The colors of yellow, white, red and blue are the main colors of the dreams. Sometimes golden light, sometimes white snow; sometimes red as fireworks, sometimes like an abyss. The unique and magical and varied world of the earth, creating a magical art paradise. Heaven and earth are all color, Huacai is heavy.

The red clouds will cover the entire forest, and the fog will sink and it will seem to be falling apart in the next second. In the clouds, the landscape of the forest seems to be exposed. If it is dark, if the girl is wrapped in soft yarn, it is subtle. This is the modern Datong that is on the front line of the trend of reform. Tradition and modernity are perfectly integrated here, and history and reality are mutually tolerant here. The building here is covered with sun, and it is also blue-brick and red. It is rushing here, and it is also slow and calm. It is efficient and pragmatic, and it is full of people. Walking into the forest, the blue sand is long under the blue sky and white clouds. The strange shape of the soil column, the deep and quiet secluded valley, the high-hanging cave sky gate, the original rough sand ditch desert, the weird and strange colorful stones, thick and thick, grouped and contiguous, different styles, strange beauty. The Ancestral Cave is a fragrant star, Yue Yue, and Chen Hui is a long-time singer. Jingshan Lingxiu, enjoy the waters of the central yundu Shenzhou pavilion in the center of the temple, and the sacred sanctuary. King Buddha, worship Buddha King

Along the Tonglan Tourism Line, 25 kilometers south to Duzhuang Village, there is a magical canyon in the northeast of the village. This is the natural scenery of the forest. Datong soil forest, although not as famous as Yuanmou soil forest, it is lifelike, realistic, exquisite and delicate, very charm. Primitive, desolate, rough, sand ditch, barren hills and valleys constitute a wild and unique ancient world. The natural scenery is unique, giving people a primitive beauty and rough beauty. In it, as if returning to the distant past, the appeal of nature is revealed here.

‍️💨 August 14-18, 2025 Datong Self-Driving Tour Record 🌟Day 1 Departure from Beijing: ① Datong Coal Museum (Highlight: the largest coal block), also offers an underground mine experience with separate paid reservation. ② Yungang Grottoes in Datong (World Heritage Site). [○] Suggestion: Take a taxi from the hotel to Datong Ancient City, and taxis can also be used between attractions inside the ancient city. 🏠 Stay: Haohai International Hotel. 🌟Day 2 ① Huayan Temple (Liao and Jin dynasty temple, highlight: the "Bodhisattva with palms together and teeth showing" statue in the Vajrayana hall). ② Nine-Dragon Wall (the largest glazed dragon wall in China). ③ Shanhua Temple (Highlight: the "Golden Stele" also known as the "Zhubian Stele"). Backup attractions: Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Confucian Temple, Fahua Temple, City Wall, Ancient City Night View... 🏠 Stay: Haohai International Hotel. 🌟Day 3 ① Datong City Museum. ② Datong Earth Forest (a magical geological wonder). ③ Jingtusi Temple in Ying County, park here 🅿️. Highlights: the caisson ceiling in the Mahavira Hall, and the disheveled stone lions outside the mountain gate. ④ Walk to Ying County Wooden Pagoda (one of the world's three great wooden pagodas). ⑤ Yong'an Temple in Hunyuan (exceptional Yuan dynasty murals). ⑥ Hunyuan Prefecture Office. 🏠 Stay: Hengshan International Hotel, Hunyuan. 🌟Day 4 Tour Hengshan Scenic Area: ① Navigation: Hengshan Hanging Temple Scenic Area ground parking lot entrance (arrive before 8:00 for ample parking). Take a shuttle bus about 6 km from Beiyue Hengshan Visitor Center to the Hanging Temple boarding point, enter the Hanging Temple scenic area, queue for 40 minutes to climb (ticket reserved). ② From the Hanging Temple boarding point, take the shuttle bus to Yuemen Bay (Hengshan Scenic Area entrance), take the cable car up the mountain, then walk downhill to the core temple area. At Zhenwu Temple, take the shuttle bus back to the Hanging Temple boarding point, then take the shuttle bus back to Beiyue Hengshan Visitor Center to retrieve your car. [○] Shuttle bus ticket between Hanging Temple and Hengshan is 20 RMB/person, valid for both directions; entrance tickets are purchased separately. 🏠 Stay: Datong Hunyuan Tangtou Hot Spring Wanda Jinhua Hotel (cost-effective, with hot springs). 🌟Day 5 Pingxingguan Victory Scenic Area: ① Navigation: Pingxingguan Victory Military Experience Area 🅿️ parking, walk to Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall, after visiting you can return to the experience area to play. ② Laoye Temple. ③ Qiaogou Viewing Platform. Return to Beijing.

🌟 Travel Guide to 4 Treasure Cities to Visit Before 40 🌟 1. Xiamen — The Double Romance of Art and Island Life 🏝️🎨 Recommended Attractions: - Gulangyu Island 🏛️: An expo of international architecture, known as the Piano Island; stroll through alleys to feel the artistic vibe. - Xiamen University 🏫: One of China's most beautiful campuses, adjacent to Nanputuo Temple, blending culture and nature. - Huandao Road 🚴‍♂️: Cycle or walk along the route to Zengcuoan (an artistic fishing village) and Huangcuo Beach (a perfect sunset spot). - Botanical Garden 🌵: Tropical rainforest area and giant cacti make for great photo spots. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Gulangyu Island (Shuzhuang Garden, Sunlight Rock) → Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street (Minnan snacks) 📅 Day 2: Xiamen University → Nanputuo Temple → Shapowei Art District → Huandao Road cycling 📅 Day 3: Botanical Garden → Zengcuoan → Huangcuo Beach 💰 Budget Reference (3 days, 2 people): - Transportation: High-speed train/flight varies by location; local bus/taxi about 200 RMB - Accommodation: Guesthouses or comfortable hotels about 400-600 RMB/night - Tickets: Gulangyu combo ticket about 100 RMB/person, Botanical Garden 30 RMB/person - Food: 80-150 RMB/person/day (Satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, earthworm jelly for the brave) 🍜 Food Recommendations: Satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, earthworm jelly (challenge for the brave) 😋 2. Arxan — Northern Xinjiang’s Secret Realm, A Fairy Tale All Year Round ❄️🍁 Recommended Attractions: - Arxan National Forest Park 🌲: Tianchi Lake, Rhododendron Lake, Stone Forest; autumn scenery like a painting. - Bailang Peak ☀️: Stunning sunrise and sea of clouds; winter frost wonderland. - Unfrozen River ❄️: Does not freeze in severe winter, misty like a fairyland. - Oronbukan Tribe 🏕️: Explore Ewenki culture, forest hiking. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Arxan Railway Station (popular check-in spot) → Wuli Spring (free mineral water) → city hot springs experience 📅 Day 2: Arxan Forest Park (Tianchi Lake, Santan Gorge) 📅 Day 3: Bailang Peak sunrise → Deer Park (filming location of "Dear Inn") 💰 Budget Reference (4 days, 2 people): - Transportation: Recommended self-drive/charter (about 800 RMB/day), train to Ulanhot then bus - Accommodation: Wooden cabins in the park or city hotels 300-500 RMB/night - Tickets: Forest Park 180 RMB/person (includes sightseeing bus) - Food: 60-100 RMB/person/day (roast lamb chops, dairy products, wild vegetables) 🍖 Food Recommendations: Hand-held lamb, Mongolian milk tea, wild mushroom hotpot, milk chew rice stir-fry 🥛 3. Datong — A Thousand-Year-Old Ancient City Beyond the Great Wall 🏯⛰️ Recommended Attractions: - Yungang Grottoes 🪨: World cultural heritage, pinnacle of Northern Wei Buddhist art. - Hanging Temple 🏯: "Sky castle" on a cliff, supported only by wooden pillars. - Huayan Temple 🏛️: Liao and Jin dynasty architectural treasure, exquisite murals and sculptures. - Datong Earth Forest 🌄: Erosional landforms, magical light and shadow at sunset. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Yungang Grottoes → Datong Museum → Ancient city wall night view 📅 Day 2: Hanging Temple → Hengshan Mountain (optional hike) → Hunyuan Liangfen shop 📅 Day 3: Huayan Temple → Shanhua Temple → Earth Forest (a must for photography lovers) 💰 Budget Reference (3 days, 2 people): - Transportation: 2-hour high-speed train from Beijing, local charter about 500 RMB/day - Accommodation: Boutique inns inside the ancient city 200-400 RMB/night - Tickets: Yungang Grottoes 120 RMB/person, Hanging Temple 125 RMB (includes climbing fee) - Food: 50-100 RMB/person/day (knife-cut noodles, lamb offal, yellow rice jelly) 🍜 Food Recommendations: Knife-cut noodles (Oriental shaved noodles), Hunyuan liangfen, Datong lamb offal, Baihua shumai dumplings 🥟 4. Sanya — Tropical Paradise, The Lazy Vacationer's Top Choice 🌴☀️ Recommended Attractions: - Wuzhizhou Island 🏝️: Crystal-clear sea, paradise for diving and water sports. - Yalong Bay 🏖️: "Eastern Hawaii," cluster of five-star hotels and fine sandy beaches. - Coconut Dream Corridor 🌅: 20 km coastline, free sunset check-in spot. - Nanshan Temple 🙏: 108-meter sea Guanyin statue, a place for blessings. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Wuzhizhou Island (diving/electric island tour car) → Houhai Village Night Market 📅 Day 2: Yalong Bay Beach → Tropical Paradise Forest Park (filming location of "If You Are the One") 📅 Day 3: Nanshan Temple → Tianya Haijiao (classic landmark) → Walk along Coconut Dream Corridor 💰 Budget Reference (5 days, 2 people): - Transportation: Flight varies by location, recommended car rental/self-drive (about 200 RMB/day) - Accommodation: Yalong Bay sea view hotels 800-1500 RMB/night, guesthouses more affordable - Tickets: Wuzhizhou Island 140 RMB/person, Nanshan Temple 129 RMB/person - Food: 100-200 RMB/person/day (seafood, coconut chicken, Baoluo noodles, coconut milk dessert, tropical fruits like mango and durian) 🍍 Travel light to enjoy to the fullest! 🎒✨

Travel back in time to the Northern Wei Dynasty👑! Here’s the latest 2025 Datong nanny-level guide～ ⏳【Three-Day Classic Itinerary · Walking Tour Version】 🎇Day 1: Northern Wei Culture Walk ☀️Morning: Yungang Grottoes (Rush before 7:30! Caves 5/6/12/20 are must-sees) 🤳Secret tip: Rent AR glasses to see the painted restorations and instantly travel 1500 years back in time! 🌃Evening: Ancient City Wall Night Tour (The light show at the South Gate is stunning, wearing Hanfu and carrying lanterns makes for amazing photos📸) ⛰Day 2: Hengshan Adventure ⚠️Arrive at Hanging Temple at 6:30 sharp! Only 3,260 climbing tickets issued daily; latecomers face a 3-hour queue 🌅Afternoon: Take the cable car up the back mountain of Hengshan; recommended sunset viewing spot for descending: parking lot viewing platform 🍜Day 3: Slow Life in the Ancient City ✨Must visit: Huayan Temple Underground Palace + Shanhua Temple (very few Jin Dynasty colored sculptures) 🍻Food route: Fenglin Pavilion for Baihua Shaomai → Dongfang Knife-Cut Noodles with a bowl of pork Shaozi noodles 【Deep Player Plus Version】 🗿Day 4: Datong Earth Forest (Sunset shots from 18:30-20:00 are amazing!) 🌋Day 5: Volcano Cluster to collect basalt / Ying County Wooden Pagoda (Book one month in advance to climb the second floor!) 🌈【Must-Check Spots in This Lifetime】 1️⃣Yungang Grottoes: fewer people and beautiful light after 2 PM 2️⃣Hanging Temple: use a wide-angle lens to capture the "three horse-tail beams hanging midair" 3️⃣Huayan Temple: AR light show on weekends from July to September 4️⃣Earth Forest Sunset: shoot the golden earth pillars! The starry sky is also breathtaking🌌 🍽️【Datong on the Tip of Your Tongue】 🥟Fenglin Pavilion: Baihua Shaomai dipped in spicy cold jelly oil! Average cost 60 RMB 🍜Dongfang Knife-Cut Noodles: add a portion of "fermented pickles" for authenticity 🥬Kaige Restaurant: remember to order the traditional version of fried pork 🌭Drum Tower Night Market: lamb offal soup paired with yellow millet cold cake is unbeatable 🚖【Transportation & Accommodation】 🏨Ancient City Courtyard: Fenghai Quelou (smart room control system) 🚄High-speed train: Beijing → Datong fastest in 1 hour 46 minutes 🚗Car rental: Yungang + Hanging Temple one day 400 RMB/car ⚠️【Pitfall Avoidance Guide】 ❌Hanging Temple climbing tickets must be grabbed at midnight 3 days in advance ❌Ying County Wooden Pagoda second floor limited to 50 people/day ❌Avoid "set meals" near the Nine-Dragon Wall! Local neighborhood shops taste much better💯 💡【Local Secrets】 ☕Northern Wei Ming Tang: wear Hanfu and drink AR coffee 🌄Liang Sicheng Memorial Hall: see ancient architecture manuscripts 🌅Come in mid to late September! Fewer people, beautiful scenery, and red leaves🍁 The vibrant life of Datong🔥 is hidden in the steam rising from a bowl of knife-cut noodles~ Avoid the crowds and converse with a thousand years through morning and dusk!

️ Travel Route (Save & Bookmark!) Day1 📍Taiyuan Jinci Museum → Taiyuan Ancient County Scenic Area → Zsmart Zhishang Hotel (Zhonglou Street Branch) → Night stroll at Food Street & Zhonglou Street → 🌟May First Square night view Jinci is truly worth visiting—consider hiring a guide. Taiyuan Ancient County is just average. Day2 ✨Datong Classic Tour Awe-inspiring! Yungang Grottoes → Shanhua Temple →🏰Walk along Datong Ancient City Wall Departed from the hotel at 7:30 AM, drove 4+ hours to Yungang. Had lunch nearby before entering the site in the afternoon. The sun wasn’t too harsh, and hiring an on-site guide was very helpful. After returning from Yungang, visited Shanhua Temple and took an evening stroll on Datong’s ancient city wall to soak in the night atmosphere. Day3 🏮Datong In-Depth Exploration Hanging Temple → Guandi Temple route → Fahua Temple (the first ancient temple beyond the Great Wall) → China’s oldest surviving Nine-Dragon Wall → Huayan Temple’s bronze underground palace → Sunset at Volcanic Geopark🌄 → Tulin landform (super photogenic!) The schedule looked packed, but it was manageable. Day4 ⛰️Legend of the Northern Sacred Mountain Hanging Temple (enter with the first batch at 8 AM!!) → Wooden Pagoda (world’s tallest wooden pagoda) → Overnight at hot spring homestay in Xinzhou Ancient Town♨️ The homestay was incredibly cozy, making the trip relaxing. Though we queued 2–3 hours to reach the top of Hanging Temple, it was absolutely worth it. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is a photographer’s dream! Day5 🏡Tour of Shanxi Merchant Mansions Qiao Family Compound (must hire a guide) → Zhenguo Temple’s Five Dynasties painted sculptures → 🎭Must-see immersive show *See You Again in Pingyao* Day6 🏮Pingyao Ancient City Explore old banks and escort bureaus → Shuanglin Temple’s "Oriental Treasure House of Painted Sculptures" → Stay in a traditional kang-bed homestay Day7 🏯Treasures of Jinzhong Pingyao Ancient City → Check into the century-old Shanxi Grand Hotel Afternoon visit to the Provincial Museum Day8 🎨Taiyuan Cultural Finale & Departure Chunyang Palace (Taoist architecture) → Shanxi Museum (book a guide in advance) 🔥Top 5 Must-Visit: 1️⃣Yungang Grottoes: UNESCO World Heritage, imperial project of the Northern Wei Dynasty 📍No. 1, Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong ⏰9:00-17:00 2️⃣Pingyao Ancient City: One of China’s best-preserved ancient cities 📍Gutao Town, Pingyao County ⏰Open all day 3️⃣Jinci Museum: China’s earliest surviving imperial garden 📍Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan ⏰8:30-18:00 4️⃣Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: One of the world’s three wonder pagodas 📍Liao Dynasty Cultural City, Yingxian County ⏰8:00-18:00 5️⃣Hanging Temple: Top 10 most dangerous buildings globally 📍Foot of Hengshan Mountain, Hunyuan County ⏰8:00-17:00 💡Tips: ✔️Visit Yungang Grottoes early to avoid crowds ✔️Pingyao Ancient City combo ticket valid for 3 days ✔️Hanging Temple has visitor limits—book ahead ✔️Bring sunscreen and a light jacket in July ✔️Share guide costs for merchant mansions 🚗Transport Tips: Rent a car in Taiyuan/Datong for self-driving Walk or use electric carts in Pingyao Ancient City 🏨Recommended Stays: ▫️Taiyuan: Zsmart Zhishang Hotel (prime location) ▫️Datong: Lavande Hotel (near ancient city) ▫️Pingyao: Yuse Zen Homestay (Shanxi merchant culture experience)

Stop agonizing over holiday destinations! Tongli's water town charm, Anji's serene bamboo forests, Leshan's delicious food and giant Buddha, or Datong's millennia-old historical sites—there's always a place that will capture your heart💕 **Tongli ✅** 👉 Start at Tuisi Garden to admire the beauty of Jiangnan-style gardens and experience its exquisite layout and classical elegance. 👉 Head to the Three Bridges—Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge—to soak up some good fortune and immerse yourself in local customs. 👉 Visit Jiayin Hall to appreciate intricate wood carvings and the architectural style of the Republic of China era. 👉 Explore Pearl Tower Scenic Garden, uncover legendary tales, and climb to the top for a panoramic view of the ancient town. 👉 Stroll along Ming-Qing Street with its bluestone pavement and weathered white walls, and pick up some unique souvenirs. Remember to wear comfy shoes and take your time soaking in Tongli’s water town charm😉. **🌲 Anji** First stop: Yucun Village⛰️, surrounded by lush green mountains and clear waters—snap a pic with the "Green mountains and clear waters are as valuable as gold and silver" monument and embrace the beauty of nature. Next, head to Xianlongxia Rafting🌊 for an adrenaline-pumping ride, screaming your heart out in the rapids! Then, make your way to Hello Kitty Theme Park🎀—pink castles and fairytale performances will make your inner child burst with joy. Afterward, trek through Zhebei Grand Canyon, marveling at waterfalls and breathing in the crisp mountain air. Finally, wander through Mantangli’s "Light of the Earth"🌌 at night—when the lights glow, the dreamy interplay of shadows and illumination creates an enchanting atmosphere! **🔥 Leshan** First priority: the **Leshan Giant Buddha📍**—take a boat to admire its full grandeur from the river, an absolutely awe-inspiring sight! Next, dash to **Jiadingfang📍**, a street brimming with antique charm, perfect for atmospheric photos📸. Then, head to **Wuyou Temple📍** to soak in the serene Zen ambiance of this thousand-year-old monastery. Don’t miss **Jinying Villa📍**—with its quaint bridges, flowing water, and pavilions, it feels like stepping into a Jiangnan ink painting, plus you can savor authentic Leshan cuisine! Come to Leshan for a feast for both your eyes and taste buds🥳. **✨ Datong** Hidden gem alert! First stop: **Yungang Grottoes🗿**, where millennia-old Buddhist caves stand in majestic splendor—each one a masterpiece of art. Then, visit **Hanging Temple**, marveling at its gravity-defying "floating pavilion" structure and the ingenuity of ancient craftsmanship. Next, explore **Datong Ancient City🏮**, wandering through Sipailou and Shanhua Temple to touch the traces of time in its blue bricks and aged tiles. Finally, head to **Datong Earth Forest**, where light and shadow dance across the ravines—snap some ultra-cool "otherworldly" shots! This city, where history and wonder coexist, is waiting for you to unlock its secrets🔓!

🚗🚗🚗Travel Route Day 1: Jinshan Mountain Foot of the Great Wall Day 2: Jinshanling Great Wall → Gubei Water Town Day 3: Yungang Grottoes → Jinhua Palace Mine Downstream Scenic Area → Datong City Museum → Datong Ancient City → Orange Hotel (Datong Ancient City Branch) Day 4: Datong Loess Plateau → Hanging Temple → Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Day 5: Taiyuan → Ninghua Fu Yiyuan Qingcu Acetic Acid Headquarters → Jinci Temple Scenic Area → Shanxi Museum → Qiao Family Courtyard Day 6: Pingyao Ancient City → Baoding City 🚄Must-see attractions: Jinshanling Great Wall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Yungang Grottoes: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Pingyao Ancient City: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Qiao Family Courtyard: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Hanging Temple: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (advance reservation of tickets required) ⚠️Notes: When traveling from Shenyang to Shanxi, vehicles with non-local license plates passing through the Beijing area should pay attention to the no-entry zones!

Datong Earth Forest is a unique natural landscape located in Duzhuang Village, Yunzhou District, Datong City, Shanxi Province. It is known as the "City of Devils" on the Loess Plateau. After a long period of wind and water erosion, a unique landform was formed that looks like a castle but is not a castle, like a sculpture but not a sculpture. It is the only earth forest in North China, famous for its unique loess earth forest landscape, showing the tenacity and strength of the Loess Plateau. The formation of the Datong Earth Forest is due to the repeated cycle of surface water erosion, soil weathering, and salt and alkali precipitation, gradually forming earth ditches, and eventually evolving into the geological wonder of the earth forest. The earth walls and earth pillars in the earth forest gather together, and the elements such as calcium and iron in the soil interact with sunlight to form an unparalleled colorful image of the earth forest. The beauty of the earth forest lies in its gorgeous colors, which change between morning and evening, sometimes golden, sometimes red like flames, sometimes dark like an abyss, and sometimes white like frost fields, giving people a dreamlike feeling. The earth forest has various shapes, with earth platforms, earth pillars, earth cliffs, and earth ridges of different sizes, either hanging alone, arranged in rows, graceful, or vigorous, showing the beauty of desolation and solemnity. The value of the earth forest lies in its rarity, as there are few earth forests, similar to the Yadan landform, and it is eroded by wind and rivers, making it a natural textbook of geological landforms, known as the "sedimentology laboratory" in North China. Datong Earth Forest is not only a natural wonder but also a popular science base for natural resources in China, a natural laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, a famous tourist attraction in Shanxi Province, as well as a national education and research base for primary and secondary school students, and a creative base for the China Photographers Association and China Tourism Photography Network. The earth forest is precious in geology and geography due to its special landform. The landscape of the earth forest is changeable, and being in it, you can feel the magnificent changes of the earth. In the southwest corner of the earth forest, there is a reservoir surrounded by lush green grass, and the coexistence of the lake and the earth forest makes the Datong Earth Forest look vibrant and modern. Under different lighting conditions, the earth forest changes into rich layers and colors, which is the difference between the Datong Earth Forest and the general loess gullies. Datong Earth Forest is a place worth visiting, attracting many tourists and photography enthusiasts with its unique natural landscape and geological value.

Datong Earth Forest, like a natural sculpture museum, stands quietly in Duzhuang Village, Yunzhou District, Datong, Shanxi. It is a wonder created by time and nature, with numerous earth pillars of varying heights and shapes. Some are like towering ancient castles, telling of past glory; some are like lively fairies with fluttering sleeves; some are like mighty beasts, holding their heads high towards the sky. The loess here, eroded by wind and rain, has lost its ordinariness and turned into a carrier of art. When the morning light appears, the earth forest is dyed golden, as if it were covered with a layer of dazzling gauze; when the sun sets in the west, the afterglow adds a touch of mysterious orange-red to it. Every inch of land and every ravine are engraved with the lines of time, bearing witness to the wonders of nature. Walking through it, it feels like traveling through a fantasy world. The hustle and bustle of the world quietly fades away, leaving only awe and admiration for this magical landscape.

Datong Earth Forest is famous for its rich erosion and weathering phenomena and numerous sedimentary landscapes, and is known as the natural "sedimentology laboratory" in North China. Unlike other earth forests, Datong Earth Forest is not isolated on the wilderness, but hidden below the horizon, like a secret treasure of the earth. Stepping into Datong Earth Forest is like entering an ancient and mysterious magical world. Every step is on the loess deposits of hundreds of millions of years, and every inch of land under your feet seems to be telling a story of thousands of years. Datong Earth Forest, a unique and spectacular geological landform in the north, is the Paleolithic cultural site of the Nihewan Basin, the "cradle of ancient Oriental human culture". The magical landform was formed by thousands of years of water erosion. It is located on the banks of the Sanggan River, on the edge of the Datong Basin. The uncanny workmanship of nature has created the strange and mysterious landform of the earth forest. It is difficult to tell whether you have landed on Mars or another world. The earth forest within a radius of 1,000 meters shows the desolate and solemn beauty of the Loess Plateau. Address: Shezhuang Village, Yunzhou District, Datong Opening hours: 8:00–18:00, ticket sales stop at 17:00 Tickets: Adult tickets are CNY 50, half price for seniors over 60, and free for seniors over 65 Transportation: 1. Public transportation: Take bus No. 2, 3, 4, 18, etc. from Datong city to the Earth Forest Scenic Area. 2. Self-driving: The Earth Forest is located in a remote area, so it is recommended to drive there. There is a parking lot in the scenic area.

|A unique geological landscape. Datong Earth Forest, also known as the Earth Pillar Forest or Loess Forest, is a unique geological wonder located in Yunzhou District, Datong City, Shanxi Province. The earth platforms, earth pillars, earth cliffs, earth ridges, and earth walls are all rich in color, including golden, reddish-brown, and purple-gray. As the light changes, the colors also change. Every grain of sand and every stone is related to the wind and rain. When you step into the Datong Earth Forest, every step you take is on the loess deposits of millions of years. No wonder someone left a poem: The earth is cut into a forest, and the creation is strange, and the high and low ghost axes are always appropriate. Sanggan Water is gone, but the heart is still there, leaving a thousand years of peerless beauty. Ticket: 50 Opening hours: 8:00-18:00

The Datong Earth Forest is located on the edge of the Datong Basin by the Sanggan River. It is known as the Devil's City on the Loess Plateau and contains the 'cradle of ancient Oriental human culture.' It is also the filming location for the movies 'Explosion' and 'The Legend of Deification.' Locals call it 'Shibanguo.' Address: Duzhuang Village, Duzhuang Township, Yunzhou District, Datong City, Shanxi Province The Datong Earth Forest is renowned for its rich erosion, weathering phenomena, and numerous sedimentary landscapes, earning it the title of a natural 'sedimentology laboratory' in North China. Unlike earth forests in other regions, the Datong Earth Forest is not isolated on a wasteland but hidden below the horizon, like a secret treasure of the earth. Here, you can find various landforms such as earth terraces, earth pillars, earth cliffs, earth ridges, and earth walls, making it feel like a magical world.

Step into the Datong Earth Forest and unveil the mysterious veil of the Loess Plateau👀|||Entering the Datong Earth Forest is like stepping into an ancient and mysterious magical world. Every step is on the sediment of millions of years of loess, and every inch of land underfoot seems to be telling a story of a thousand years. 🌪️ What is an Earth Forest? An Earth Forest is a general term for a series of tower-like, cone-like, and castle-like landforms formed by the erosion of surface water on a large amount of unconsolidated sedimentary material. Due to the poor cohesion between the loose sediments, they are easily destroyed or altered by the erosive action of flowing water, so Earth Forest landforms generally exist in arid or semi-arid areas. ⭐ Features of the Datong Earth Forest The Datong Earth Forest is known for its rich erosion and weathering phenomena and numerous sedimentological landscapes, and is hailed as the natural 'sedimentology laboratory' of North China. Unlike Earth Forests in other regions, the Datong Earth Forest is not isolated on the wilderness but hidden below the horizon, as if it is a secret treasure of the earth. Here, you can see a variety of landforms such as earth platforms, earth pillars, earth cliffs, earth ridges, and earth walls, as if you are in a magical world. 🌿 Formation of the Datong Earth Forest The formation of the Datong Basin can be traced back to rift action 3 million to 2 million years ago. During the long sedimentation process, the sediments did not fully consolidate into rock, and then experienced rapid tectonic uplift. During and after the uplift, a large number of fractures were generated in the strata, and at the same time, they were subjected to strong leaching or erosion by later surface precipitation, eventually forming the typical Earth Forest landscape. Come to the Datong Earth Forest, experience the marvelous craftsmanship of nature, 📸 and capture the charm of this ancient land with your lens!

🔔Introduction: The Datong Earth Forest is located in Duzhuang Township, Datong City, on the edge of the Datong Basin by the Sanggan River. It has been shaped by the erosion and weathering of nearby rivers into various geomorphological features such as earth platforms, earth pillars, earth cliffs, and earth ridges. It presents a primitive, desolate, robust, and rugged landscape with ravines, hills, sheer cliffs, and secluded valleys, offering a highly impactful and attractive experience. ---- 📷Tour Guide: ✅After entering the main gate of the scenic area, there are two paths, the left path is the essence of the scenic area. ✅Upon reaching the lakeside, another fork in the road appears: going straight and turning right, each side has its own different scenery, it is recommended to visit both. ✅Going straight allows you to be amidst the earth forest, closely touching the weathered earth platforms, earth pillars, and earth cliffs. ✅Turning right offers a view of the large-scale earth ridges, giving you a panoramic view of the earth forest's stunning landscape. ---- 📍Address: Duzhuang Village, Duzhuang Township, Yunzhou District, Datong City. ---- 🚗Transportation: Take the bus to Hunyuan County, get off at Duzhuang Station, and walk 2.5 kilometers to reach the destination. 🌟Buses run every 15 minutes, with the last one at 18:00. The scenic area is relatively remote, so be sure to pay attention to the return time. If you miss the last bus, it will be very difficult to find a taxi. ---- 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00. ---- 💰Ticket Price: 50 yuan.

🔔Introduction: The Datong Earth Forest is located in Duzhuang Township, Datong City, on the edge of the Datong Basin by the Sanggan River. Due to the erosion and weathering of nearby rivers, it has formed various geomorphological features such as earth platforms, earth pillars, earth cliffs, and earth ridges. The landscape is primitive, desolate, robust, and rugged, with ravines and hills, sheer cliffs and secluded valleys, offering a stunning and attractive experience. ---- 📷Tour Guide: ✅After entering the gate of the scenic area, there are two paths; the left path leads to the essence of the scenic area. ✅Upon reaching the lakeside, another fork appears: going straight or turning right, each direction offers different views, and it is recommended to explore both. ✅Going straight allows you to be amidst the earth forest, up close with the weathered earth platforms, earth pillars, and earth cliffs. ✅Turning right offers a view of the large-scale earth ridges and a panoramic view of the earth forest's awe-inspiring landscape. ---- 📍Address: Duzhuang Village, Duzhuang Township, Yunzhou District, Datong City. ---- 🚗Transportation: Take the bus to Hunyuan County, get off at Duzhuang Station, and walk 2.5 kilometers to reach the destination. 🌟Buses run every 15 minutes, with the last one at 18:00. Since the scenic area is relatively remote, be sure to pay attention to the return time. If you miss the last bus, it will be difficult to hail a taxi. ---- 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00. ---- 💰Ticket Price: 50 yuan.

The Datong Earth Forest is located in Shibangou, Duzhuang Village, Yunzhou District, Datong City, Shanxi Province, about 20 kilometers south of Datong City. An earth forest is a term for a geomorphological feature, which is a loose accumulation of sand and gravel in riverbeds. In a dry climate, it is formed by the erosion and scouring of seasonal rainwater. The Datong Earth Forest is known as the 'Devil's City'. Up close, the oddly shaped, variously sized, and unevenly distributed earth platforms, earth pillars, and earth cliffs give a sense of inexplicable oppression, as if one is standing beside giants. Datong Earth Forest: A representative of the Yardang landform, where you can see the traces left by the erosion of sand and soil. Taking photos before sunset is simply too beautiful. Recommended to drive yourself: 20 kilometers from Datong South Station

The Datong Earth Forest is located in Duzhuang Village, Yunzhou District, Datong City, Shanxi Province, on the edge of the Sanggan River Datong Basin. It is a geological relic that integrates sightseeing, leisure vacations, popular science education, and scientific research. Each layer of rock in the earth pillars of the Datong Earth Forest represents the sedimentary process of the ancient Datong Lake, and each layer of sediment represents the climate change at that time. Visitors can intuitively experience the various landforms formed by the sedimentary strata over hundreds of thousands of years after being eroded by running water and weathered, hence the Datong Earth Forest is known as the 'natural sedimentology laboratory' and is an excellent place for geoscience popularization. The Datong Earth Forest is a geological scenic area, with an entrance fee of 48 yuan. It is open all year round from 08:00 to 18:00, and the recommended duration of a visit is 2-3 hours.

Datong Earth Forest, located in Duzhuang Village, Yunzhou District. After years of erosion by wind and water, it has finally formed a strange landscape that looks like ancient castles and sculptures, becoming the only 'Devil's City' in North China. On the land of Yunzhou, time commands the wind and water to make the soft and loose loess 'stand', forming a unique loess earth forest, showing the toughness and strength of the Loess Plateau. The tectonic movement in the Earth Forest area is active. In the cycle of surface water erosion, soil weathering, and salt precipitation, the thin soil ditches gradually widen, forming the 'stone ditch' in the local people's mouth. The so-called stone slabs are the calcified layers formed in the soil. It is the stacking of these wonderful stone slabs that has created this geological wonder of the Earth Forest. Independent and interconnected earth walls and pillars gather here, and the calcium, iron and other elements contained in the soil interact with sunlight to form the incomparable color image of the Earth Forest. The beauty of the Earth Forest is colorful and magnificent. Between morning and evening, the colors are bright, sometimes golden, sometimes red as flames, sometimes as deep as abyss, sometimes as white as frost fields, making people feel like they are in a fantasy world. The wonder of the Earth Forest is diverse in shape. The earth platforms, earth pillars, earth cliffs, and earth ridges of different sizes, either hanging alone, or arranged in arrays, or graceful, or vigorous, delicate and exquisite, all show the beauty of desolation and solemnity. The value of the Earth Forest lies in its rarity. There are many forests formed by stones, but few are formed by soil. It is like the landform of Yardang and the erosion of the wind river. It is a rare natural teaching material for geological landforms and is known as the natural 'sedimentology laboratory' in North China. Because of their special composition and formation environment, the earth forest landforms are not as long-lasting as the stone forest. They were born in times of abundant water and grass, grew in the decay of strata, and will die under the erosion of wind and sand. From the perspective of the entire earth's evolution process, the earth forest is just a flash in the pan in the long geological evolution history, but for ordinary tourists, it is precisely because of the changeability of the earth forest landscape that they can personally feel the grandeur of the earth's vicissitudes of life.

🌵 Exploring Datong Earth Forest - The Magic of Nature 👋 My recent trip to Datong deeply attracted me with its rich history and magnificent natural scenery. Today, I want to share with you a special place - Datong Earth Forest! 🕓 【Best Viewing Time】From 4 pm to 7 pm, the earth forest is even more charming under the clear sky. Here, you can stroll in this natural wonder, waiting for the sunset to dye the entire earth forest red, creating a beautiful picture.🌄 Datong Earth Forest is a work of art carved by nature with wind and water. The terrain here is cut into strange shapes, like the marks of time, telling the long story of the earth. But do you know? The earth forest is not eternal. Due to its special composition, these natural sculptures gradually change over time. If you visit again in a few years, you will find that they are no longer the same, which is a testament to the vicissitudes of nature. 📷 For friends who like nature, geography, and photography, Datong Earth Forest is a destination not to be missed. Although it is not as famous as the Danxia landform, its unique beauty is equally shocking. 🌿 Visit Datong Earth Forest, feel the 'Devil's City' on the Loess Plateau, let us witness the magic and beauty of the earth together! Waiting for you to explore!👣

|Datong unpopular Earth Forest enters outer space. A super niche unpopular attraction! It's also a geological wonder~ Coming here is like stepping into outer space. It's especially photogenic~ It's the place that left the deepest impression on me in Datong!! It's a bit like the Rainbow Danxia, but different. This is the only Earth Forest in North China! The Earth Forest of Datong is below the ground level, formed by the erosion of rainwater, the infiltration of salt and alkali, and the weathering. The shapes are diverse, and you can clearly see the distinct colors of the soil layers. Immersed in it, the scenery changes with every step! Picture 3, there is a lake in the middle of the scenic area, with floating seaweed, clouds and sunset reflected on the lake surface! Picture 9, in the innermost part of the scenic area, there is a reed field! The reeds are more than one meter high~ It's also very photogenic~ It's recommended to come in the evening, the sunset and the setting sun will add a sense of mystery! The Earth Forest is not far from Datong city, you can drive there, or hire a car to go